No, 20,000 times no

A coalition of citizens opposed to the proposed merger of Hawaii’s two main air carriers on Monday presented Governor Ben Cayetano with a petition with more than 20,000 signatures stating its case.

“We’re concerned about the anti-competitive nature of this merger, which will hurt all the citizens of Hawai’i,” said Richard Port, former chairman of the Democratic Party of Hawai’i and spokesman for Citizens for Competitive Air Travel.

The group believes that the merger of Aloha Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines ultimately would lead to significant job losses and higher ticket prices that would have a ripple effect throughout the state’s economy.

“The dollars that will be spent on additional ticket prices when the prices go up will be fewer dollars that can be spent for Hawaii’s businesses,” Port said.

The airlines announced the proposed merger in December, citing financial difficulties stemming from the state’s economic downturn after Sept. 11.

“We will evaluate everything that you guys have prepared, plus talk with the attorney general before a decision is made,” said Sam Callejo, the governor’s chief of staff, in accepting the petition.

Cayetano has said he supports the merger based on meetings with the airlines’ chief executives who have said the merger is a financial necessity.

Several class-action lawsuits, filed on behalf of groups including employees and shareholders, have been filed in state court seeking to block the merger.

Additionally, the three Republican state senators have asked the U.S. Justice Department to block the merger.

And yesterday, U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-1st District) released a letter sent to U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft and U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta, expressing his concerns about the merger.

Abercrombie said he’s concerned about maintaining a minimum level of service and affordable fares due to the fact that interisland travel is heavily dependent on the airlines.

“As you analyze details of the proposed merger,” Abercrombie wrote, “I respectfully request that you consider the potential impact on the level of service and the price of fares in light of Hawaii’s unique geographical composition.”

The citizens coalition said the airlines should seek other ways to stay afloat.

“They haven’t taken advantage of some of the other alternatives that they have available to them, including going to the federal government for additional revenues related to Sept. 11,” Port said. “They also have not taken advantage of the state’s offer of loan guarantees, so there are these various alternatives that we would like to see them explore first.”

The coalition collected the signatures over the past six weeks and plans to submit more as they come in by mail, Port said.

Stu Glauberman, a spokesman for Aloha, said the airline’s executives had no immediate comment on the petition. Hawaiian Airlines spokesman Keoni Wagner also declined comment.

Greg Brenneman, the former Continental Airlines president who is overseeing the proposed merger, has been canvassing the state speaking to employees, shareholders, town hall meetings and community groups to drum up support for the merger.

A spokeswoman for Brenneman said he was traveling and would have no comment on the petition.

Representatives of the citizens group were at the Pro Bowl in Honolulu to request signatures from fans attending the National Football League’s all-star game Saturday at Aloha Stadium.

The group’s web site (www.hoopau.com) invites merger opponents to call the group toll-free at 877-946-6728 for “messages updated twice a week.” It also asks for donations, and yesterday it called for “a large gathering of concerned citizens” to be present when the petitions were given to Cayetano’s staff.

On the Internet: Citizens for Competitive Air Travel (www.hoopau.com), Aloha Airlines (www.alohaair.com), Hawaiian Airlines (www.hawaiianair.com).

Associated Press writer B.J. Reyes contributed to this report.