Hawai'i initiates security summit
By William Cole
Advertiser Military Writer
Playing on its strategic position in the Pacific, Hawai'i is planning a first-of-its-kind anti-terrorism summit that bridges U.S. and Asian concerns.
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The inaugural Asia-Pacific Homeland Security Summit & Exposition Nov. 19-21 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village will combine government outreach with business initiative and anti-terrorism trade fair, with dozens of security companies expected.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge is scheduled to speak at the conference.
Scheduled speakers include Department of Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge, Pacific commander Adm. Tom Fargo, Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Tony Tan, former CIA director James Woolsey and retired Marine Lt. Gen. Hank Stackpole, head of the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies.
"Hawai'i has been in a lot of ways at the forefront of anti-terrorism issues among the 50 states, and (state adjutant general) Maj. Gen. (Robert G.F.) Lee and the governor believe that Hawai'i can also be at the forefront for providing either expertise or providing services for countries in Asia and the Pacific Rim," said Maj. Chuck Anthony, a state Department of Defense spokesman.
"If other countries can strengthen their anti-terrorism infrastructure, it stands to reason that would be able to help us not only in Hawai'i, but the United States and its anti-terrorism/homeland security issues as well," Anthony said.
(The third biennial Mayors' Asia-Pacific Environmental Summit, meanwhile, begins Monday and ends Sept. 24 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Each of the two previous meetings drew more than 400 delegates from 100 cities in 29 countries.)
The homeland security summit is co-sponsored by the state Department of Defense and Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.
Pacific Command and the Asia-Pacific Center reach out to the militaries of various Asian and Pacific nations on a regular basis, but Anthony said the summit is an opportunity "to get a lot of people together over a short period of time to network and hear some people, including Secretary Ridge, who could have a lot of interesting things to say."
The price to attend the summit for government and kama'aina companies is $495. Vendor booth spaces go on sale later this week.
Reach William Cole at wcole@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-5459.
