WHEREAS, Hawaii is unique as an island state and its airways serve as its highways; and

WHEREAS, the State's commerce in perishable and urgent commodities, and business and social connections among the islands are dependent on frequent and reliable passenger and air cargo service; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to House Resolution No. 16, adopted by the Twenty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii during the Regular Session of 2003, the Select House Committee on War Preparedness has been given the task of preparing the State of Hawaii for the possibility of a war; and

WHEREAS, the Select House Committee on War Preparedness, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and composed of ten leaders from the executive and legislative branches of state government, the military, and the private sector, has been directed to:

(1) Assess the State's situation in the event of a war;

and

WHEREAS, the Select Committee on War Preparedness is holding informational briefings to identify important issues, ask pertinent questions, and make measured and practical recommendations to the Speaker of the House of Representatives in the following areas:

(1) Energy – oil reserves;

and

WHEREAS, the airlines serving the State of Hawaii, comprised of foreign, domestic, and local carriers, suggested that the executive and legislative branches of federal, state, and county government could take specific actions to help the airlines industry in the event of a war, including:

and

WHEREAS, recent events like the 1990/1991 Gulf War may provide government, military, and business leaders with insights into the potential effects of a war on the State's economy. During the 1990/1991 Gulf War, demand for air travel was drastically reduced, with leisure destinations like Hawaii being hit the hardest. In addition, a substantial increase in fuel prices occurred; and

WHEREAS, with Hawaii's airlines still recovering from the September 11, 2001, attack on the World Trade Center towers, further reductions in air travel and increases in operating costs would be devastating. If foreign and domestic carriers decide to substantially reduce their operations, long-haul, low-yield, discretionary markets like Hawaii would likely experience substantial reductions in service, severely setting back the State's post-September 11th economic recovery; and

WHEREAS, the adverse effects of a war on an island state that depends substantially on air travel and foreign and domestic tourists to generate revenues and fund essential public services and programs can be reduced if federal, state, and county governments work together; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2003, that the President and the Congress of the United States are requested to take specific actions to help the airlines serving the State of Hawaii in the event of a war; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the President of the United States is requested to pre-announce the country's intention to release federal petroleum reserves in order to alleviate the impacts of a reduction in the supply of fuel; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Congress of the United States is requested to completely waive or substantially reduce all federal taxes and fees, including security fees, ticket taxes, Immigration and Naturalization Service fees, cargo taxes, etc. to, from, and within the State of Hawaii; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Congress of the United States is requested to fully fund or substantially subsidize the cost of federal agricultural inspection for air travel from the State of Hawaii; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to: the President of the United States, the President Pro Tempore of the United States Senate, and the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives; the members of Hawaii's congressional delegation; and the Governor of Hawaii.

Report Title:

Select House Committee on War Preparedness