• Port security Port security Democrats representing Hawai‘i in Congress are demanding that President Bush tighten up security within Hawai‘i’s ports including Nawiliwili. Their efforts are being publicized by the Democratic National Committee, quoting Democratic Party leader Howard Dean. While
• Port security
Port security
Democrats representing Hawai‘i in Congress are demanding that President Bush tighten up security within Hawai‘i’s ports including Nawiliwili.
Their efforts are being publicized by the Democratic National Committee, quoting Democratic Party leader Howard Dean.
While many such pronouncements from Dean are often heavy on political rhetoric, the party has a good point in making this plea.
Our harbors and docks are the nexus for over 90 percent of the goods that come to our shore. Without the ports operating we would quickly be lacking many everyday necessities, such as a full supply of gasoline and groceries, as well as the shipping of materials needed to keep our visitor industry, construction industry and ag industry going.
Dean claims that the President’s lack of funding for protecting our ports is forcing the State of Hawai‘i to spend funds that should be provided by the federal government.
He claims that Bush’s 2006 Budget Slashes $10.7 Million in Homeland Security grants for the Hawaiian Islands. Dean is saying that security for ports is becoming combined with that for trains, trucks, buses and other public transit, as reported in February by the Associated Press.
The Democrats are also concerned that a “dirty” bomb that could be brought into a harbor aboard a foreign vessel and ignited in a crowded public place, as happened in the Tom Clancy thriller “The Sum of All Fears.” Dean goes one step further, warning that such a bomb could go off in a harbor, crippling our economy and food supply.
Sen. Daniel Inouye warned in February that an attack could close a Hawai‘i port for weeks.
A careful look is needed at exactly how the upcoming budgeting for Homeland Security in Hawai‘i is being allocated, and if the new plans for Hawai‘i’s Homeland Security is insufficient, as the Democrats claim, political pressure from Gov. Linda Lingle, as well as Sen. Inouye and others in Congress, is needed.
As an island state we are heavily dependent on ocean shipping, more so than most states on the Mainland. With increased terrorism attacks in London and other western nations, we need to keep our guard up.
