Security net keeps culture, arts out

By Vicki Viotti
Advertiser Staff Writer

A hula halau from Mexico is the latest to feel the effect of a tighter grip on tourist visas since the 9-11 terrorist strikes upended the nation's security practices.

They may seem unlikely casualties of America's war on terrorism, but they weren't the first, said state tourism officials working on ways to keep Hawai'i's international welcome mat out.

Any leeway those officials might negotiate with federal authorities may come too late to help the Mexican halau, which still needs visas to appear in a featured spot at the World Invitational Hula Festival, Nov. 6-8 at the Waikiki Shell.

Paulie Jennings, festival executive producer, said three members of Hula Halau Waikiki Kupulau, including its kumu hula, were denied visas. An Oct. 28 meeting to reconsider the decision will be held at the consular offices of the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City.

That means it is nearly impossible for the 21 dancers to make it here for the required festival workshop Nov. 2, Jennings said. Staffers with U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye's office said they had been working, so far unsuccessfully, to move up the appointment date.

Jennings vented her frustration, saying visa difficulties thwart efforts to encourage cultural tourism.

"Why are we yelling and screaming, 'Come to Hawai'i, come to Hawai'i,' and we can't bring them here?" she said.

In a related development, a Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism staffer is bound for Washington, D.C., next week for another in a series of discussions about ways to make state security tracking technology more effective at Hawai'i checkpoints.

Although he would not disclose details, department director Ted Liu said technology firms that work within the military complex here have ideas for improvements to the "biometric" scanners — which can read fingerprints and facial images — that the Department of Homeland Security has planned at entry points across the country.

Liu said the aim is to heighten the state's reputation as a destination committed to security and to win concessions that would benefit the visitor industry.

He cited another example of how security red tape is hampering state efforts to promote international events: the 60 venture capitalists from China who wanted to attend a conference later this month at the Turtle Bay Resort. Liu said the group could not get their visas in time and missed the conference.

As for the Mexican halau, Amy Christianson, vice consul at the embassy in Mexico, said in a letter to Inouye's office that the applicants must "prove their ties to Mexico, travel motives and ability to pay for their travel."

Jennings said she could not understand the refusal, because all three have close family bonds in Mexico and one was using family money to help finance the whole trip.

It's not known whether the strict stance of the Mexican consular staff arose because of tighter visa standards, but Liu said standards are tougher across the board in countries where visas are required for U.S. entry.

Liu said his staff has continuing discussions about the issue with federal authorities at the departments of state and homeland security.

For business travelers, Liu said, the state hopes federal officials will relent on proposed "multiple entry" visas that should make things easier for repeat visitors.

The situation is more complex for tourists and one-time participation in events such as the hula festival, he said.

In addition, he said, the state will meet with consular staff in various countries to learn about expectations and ground rules, and work to educate tourism industry leaders on the best way to proceed with visa applications.

Cultural tourism particularly may fall victim to the seemingly arbitrary process of approving visas, he said, citing a recent discussion with Chinese officials who wanted to stage a cultural festival here.

"It was pretty clear to them that not everybody would get a visa," he said. "There's no way you can do a performance if some of your players can't make the trip."

Reach Vicki Viotti at vviotti@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8053.