'Ewa residents offered solace at war forum

By Catherine E. Toth
Advertiser Staff Writer

A town meeting in 'Ewa Beach last night — the first in a number of such initiatives scheduled across the state — tried to reassure residents concerned about the war with Iraq and its implications for Hawai'i.

About 40 people attended the two-hour meeting at the Holomua Elementary School cafeteria. The meeting, called by lawmakers, focused on emergency preparedness and how the war will affect Hawai'i economically.

Representatives from the Honolulu Police Department, Honolulu Fire Department, Emergency Medical Services and the American Red Cross said they were prepared for possible terrorist, biological and chemical attacks.

"We want to keep the community updated, especially in these times of uncertainty... ," said Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Tamayo, R-42nd (Waipahu, Honouliuli, 'Ewa), one of three legislators who organized the town meeting. "We wanted to bring (the information) down to the community level."

Lawmakers discussed major points in a report released last Wednesday by the House Select Committee on War Preparedness, a panel of five House lawmakers, the state's chief economist and Civil Defense chief, and three representatives from the business sector. The committee, the first of its kind in Hawai'i, met for six weeks to discuss the war's possible effects on tourism, small business, and the gasoline and food supply.

EMS explained its prevention and treatment program for biological terrorism. HFD described how its 1,000 firefighters are trained for any kind of attack. And HPD reiterated how important it is for everyone in the community to work together and be informed.

"I just feel ... that it's incumbent on us to disseminate whatever information we have regarding this emergency," said Rep. Romy M. Mindo, D-43rd ('Ewa Beach, West Loch), who serves as vice chairman of the House committees on public safety and military affairs. "It's the best we could do on such short notice."

'Ewa Beach resident Phyllis Durante, 47, said she is worried about how the war may affect her community. "We're so unprepared," she said. "We have no idea what's going to happen."

Athena Russo left halfway through the meeting, saying her questions weren't answered. "Everyone's talking about terrorism, but we have our own problems," said the at-home mother who lives in 'Ewa By Gentry and is concerned about domestic issues facing the nation and Hawai'i. "It's a war somewhere else, not here."

Tony Gelish, 53, who has lived in 'Ewa Beach since 1997, said he's not overly concerned about the possible effects of war on Hawai'i: "We got over the Gulf War, we got over 9-11," he said. "We'll get over this, too. People shouldn't panic."

While the area's lawmakers said they haven't heard a barrage of concerns from constituents, they felt that the meeting's purpose was important. "We want them to know what their state government is doing," said Sen. Willie Espero, D-20th ('Ewa Beach, Waipahu).

Reach Catherine E. Toth at 535-8103 or ctoth@honoluluadvertiser.com.