Today through Nov. 13 begins the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) forum in Honolulu, HI and it seems as if it’s in our own backyard…which for Maui it actually is.
And while Oahu usually gets all the attention, it is our entire State that is credited throughout history for having served as the strategic location for aid in the balance of world powers within the Pacific region.
Geographically, Hawaii is our country’s furthest, fully operable, western-populated edge, so it is appropriate that our State host the expected 21 Pacific Rim countries to help promote free trade and establish economic cooperation. Of course it also helps that President Barack Obama is one of our own, which is reason enough to be excited over the event and exposure.
Maui, in particular, will be well promoted by Mayor Alan M. Arawaka, who along with his delegation will highlight our island’s alternative and renewable power sources, high technology, agriculture, telescopic observatories, culture and the arts all under the banner of “Maui County: Island Lifestyle…Global Opportunities”.
We wish Mayor Arawaka and those from Maui County attending the forum much success. We wish, as well, a positive outcome for all the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation attendees.
For more information go to the Hawaii Host Committee at www.apec2011hawaii.com.
APEC Side Effects — so far KHON2 TV news has reported police arrests and releases of some members of the Occupy Honolulu movement that had planned to protest the summit as well. There has also been the arrest of some native Hawaiians who gathered on the grounds of the ‘Iolani Palace, saying APEC needed native Hawaiian permission to come to their land.
Meanwhile, The Maui News (11/08/11) reported “A federal agent charged with killing a man inside a McDonald’s restaurant in Waikiki was in Hawaii to help with security at this week’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, officials said Monday.”