APEC 2011 Hawaii — LIVE BLOG ARCHIVE – Nov. 11
Here’s what was in Civil Beat’s live APEC blog on Nov. 11.
Finally, the host has arrived.
U.S. President Barack Obama is home. He has just arrived in Honolulu aboard Air Force One.
Within minutes, his motorcade will be en route to the Hilton Hawaiian Village, where he’s staying, and of course there will be some major road closures while that happens.
Posted by on at 10:50PM HST (20 hours ago)
World leaders keep rolling in, and they’re not wasting any time.
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda landed a short while ago and his motorcade took him straight toBishop Museum for the International Trade Reception.
Within minutes, he was welcomed by Sen. Daniel Inouye, as evidenced by this photo tweeted out by the senator:
In his remarks, that this is his first visit to Honolulu since he won a trip 34 years ago on a Japanese game show.
— Michael Levine
Posted by on at 8:36PM HST (22 hours ago)
People from around the Pacific gathered this week in Honolulu, but not just for the APEC summit that might result in a new free trade deal.
No, some folks are here to protest such agreements and to demand the right to self-determination. Those folks were at the Moana Nui summit held Wednesday, Thursday and today.
The summit’s now done, but it ended with dozens of attendees chanting the statement that represents their shared vision.
Read the full story here: Moana Nui Closes With Chant of Shared Vision
— Michael Levine
Posted by on at 8:31PM HST (23 hours ago)
With 60 percent of natural disasters occurring in the Asia-Pacific region, heads of U.S. government agencies have formed a new partnership with the University of Hawaii.
The goal is to help coordinate prevention and response efforts to disasters such as tsunamis and earthquakes, which are on the rise.
In 1975, there were 50 reported natural disasters. In 2011, there were 400, according to Nancy Lindborg, an assistant administrator at the U.S. Agency on International Development at a press conference at the Sheraton Waikiki for APEC.
The partnership also includes the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the U.S. Pacific Command and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
As of yet, there has been no money dedicated to future activities of the group, nor are there any set meetings.
— Sophie Cocke
Posted by on at 7:04PM HST (41 minutes ago)
It’s an advertising extravaganza at the APEC CEO Summit at the Sheraton Waikiki.
Flags with the the logos of platinum sponsors — including Walmart, Chevron, FedEx and Caterpillar — greet government officials and business executives as they enter the hotel.
In the parking lot a representative from Nissan Leaf is offering free rides in a demo car.
And upstairs, Canadian officers bedecked in ceremonial garb stand in front of a lit screen that says “Invest inCanada.”
Asked what exactly they are asking businesses to invest in, Roz Guineau who has been standing there all day in her mountie uniform and will remain stationed there throughout the weekend.
“We’re just standing here looking pretty,” she said.
Apparently, it’s just a general promotion of Canada.
— Sophie Cocke
Posted by on at 6:47PM HST (59 minutes ago)
How badly are Honolulu restaurants hurt by APEC this week? Enough that some locals are trying to offset the damage.
Social media maven @Neenz tweeted her followers encouraging them to support local eateries.
It’s Friday night, and the restaurants closest to the hub of APEC activity this week still say business has plummeted.
Sales at Akasaka sushi bar are down 80 percent right now, said manager Mimi Choe, manager. She attributes the drop in business to the roadblocks and barricades between the Hawaii Convention Center and the restaurants nearby.
Shokudo, an Asian fusion restaurant near Ala Moana Center, has experienced a similar drop in sales, according to an employee.
APEC may be good for the local economy, but business owners are learning the hard way that doesn’t mean it’s good for all the companies making up that local economy.
— Katherine Poythress
Posted by on at 6:24PM HST (1 hour ago)
We’ve been hearing about private dinners hosted at Honolulu homes this week to schmooze with APEC delegates, details have been scant.
But tonight there’s one at the home of Honolulu developer Bert Kobayashi and his wife Susan.
That’s according to APEC delegate from Brunei, , who tweeted that he got an invite. New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Bill English also will be there, he said.
Ong is described as a and chairman of the Brunei Economic Development Board in an online profile.
Wonder what’s on the menu…
— Nanea Kalani
Posted by on at 6:18PM HST (1 hour ago)
The three-day Moana Nui conference — an alternative to APEC — drew to a close tonight with the chanting of an official statement from participants.
But it’s not done forever. Many of those opposed to international trade agreements and in favor of promoting indigenous economies will be gathering tomorrow at Stadium Park in Moiliili and marching to Waikiki to take their message to world leaders there.
Full story coming soon.
— Michael Levine
Posted by on at 6:14PM HST (1 hour ago)
Heads up, Honolulu. More traffic jams ahead tonight.
Several heads of state from Korea, Japan and Canada have yet to arrive. President Barack Obama and theFirst Lady touch down tonight, too.
Chances are Nimitz and the H-1 will both see some motorcade action.
Tonight’s also the night for major Ala Moana Boulevard changes. Tonight through Sunday, all Ewa-bound lanes of Ala Moana Boulevard will be closed and turned into Diamond Head bound lanes near the Hilton.
Also Friday-Sunday, the clampdown on Kalakaua begins. Cars not on APEC business will be diverted onto Kuhio. Check out our road closures page for maps and more info.
— Sara Lin
Posted by on at 6:00PM HST (1 hour ago)
The Secret Service took to to ask people to speak up if they see any suspicious activity during APEC: “If you see something, say something!”
— Nanea Kalani
Posted by on at 5:56PM HST (1 hour ago)
The Hawaii Industries exhibition at the Hawaii Convention Center, which has been getting little attention from APEC delegates and press, was closed Friday around 5 p.m. It will not continue Saturday or Sunday, either.
Why? Galen Ho, president of the nonprofit SEE-IT that sponsored the exhibit, said no one was going to be at the Convention Center over the weekend.
With Air Force One touching down around 10:30 p.m. Friday, the APEC summit is now shifting to Waikiki hotels like the Hilton Hawaiian Village, Hale Koa and Sheraton, and to the Ihilani Resort in Ko Olina.
For those who did manage to visit the exhibits displayed by Oceanit, Sopogy, Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, the UH Institute for Astronomy and others, it was heartening to see the enthusiasm of folks who believe high-tech has a place in Hawaii Nei.
— Chad Blair
Posted by on at 5:37PM HST (2 hours ago)
A fake APEC website satirizing real APEC events may have been taken down, but the fake APEC Twitter stream associated with it is still kicking.
Today, @2011APECHawaii (not to be confused with the real @APEC2011Hawaii) tweeted links to YouTube videos lampooning everything from Hawaii’s dependence on tourism to the University of Hawaii’s acceptance of funds from corporate giant Monsanto.
Still, the fake Twitter stream doesn’t seem to have gained much traction. As of this post, the YouTube videos had each received fewer than 20 views.
— Katherine Poythress
Posted by on at 5:27PM HST (2 hours ago)
Hillary Clinton sure knows how to steal the show.
No one showed up to hear U.S. Secretary of Commerce John Bryson talk about investing in health to drive economic growth — because Clinton was speaking in the room next door.
A crowd of stern security officers and press with videocameras and long lens cameras clustered around the door to her conference room at the Sheraton Waikiki, where she talked about women’s rights and the economy. Ten feet away, employees with Eli Lillystood outside their room looking a little disappointed.
Perhaps they’d have had more success if they spiced up the description of their panel talk, which included the chief executives from Eli Lilly and Johnson & Johnson. There were many stray delegates and company officials milling around the hotel.
The hotel has been bedecked in flowers, champagne glasses, fruit and cookies in honor of APEC.
According to the agenda, the topics of discussion included a health care initiative called the “Regulatory Convergence Strategic Framework,” and a non-communicable disease action plan.
Organizers said they’re going to try to reschedule the health conference for tomorrow at 4 p.m., said Edward Sagebiel, a spokesman for Eli Lilly.
— Sophie Cocke
Posted by on at 5:10PM HST (2 hours ago)
In case you missed it: Teri beef, haupia lollipops and mini veal loco moco (pictured above) were on the menu for yesterday’s APEC CEO Summit welcome dinner at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel.
Plenty of famous local faces in attendance, too, including Gov. Neil Abercrombie, Sen. Dan Inouye, Congresswoman Mazie Hirono, to name a few.
See a slideshow, courtesy of .
Posted by on at 4:36PM HST (3 hours ago)
Civil Beat is here at the Hawaiian Studies Department Theatre at the University of Hawaii for Day 3 of theMoana Nui summit. The first thing that struck us: the footwear, or lack thereof.
Many of those inside the building have ditched their shoes in a large pile, much like you’d see at the front door of a house party or other family gathering here in Hawaii. Here’s a small sample:
We’ll have more later on the discussion here of the Trans-Pacific Partnership and other trade issues. But for now we’ll note the bare feet, which you aren’t likely to see at the CEO summit or other official APEC events.
— Michael Levine
Posted by on at 4:06PM HST (3 hours ago)
Guess that errant suitcase was no big deal.
HPD just sent out another update saying Ala Moana Boulevard is now open.
Posted by on at 3:40PM HST (4 hours ago)
How long does it take to get from the Hawaii Convention Center to the Sheraton Waikiki by bus?
Forty-five minutes. For a one-mile trip.
And the bus driver says it’s only getting worse.
— Sophie Cocke
Posted by on at 3:36PM HST (4 hours ago)
Photo: Kim Perkins
Posted by on at 3:24PM HST (4 hours ago)
A suitcase left on Atkinson Drive near Ala Moana Boulevard has prompted police to close Ala Moana Boulevard.
The Honolulu Police Department just sent out a text message saying Ala Moana Boulevard is closed between Piikoi and Atkinson Drive.
Officials are not sure what is inside the suitcase but need to make sure it is not dangerous,
Posted by on at 3:13PM HST (4 hours ago)
— Brian Tseng
Posted by on at 2:36PM HST (5 hours ago)
Ah, the smell of Kona coffee from the hills of the Big Island. At the Hawaii Convention Center it’s all about showing off the best of Hawaii to APEC’s dignitaries.
But, wait.At least in the press room, they’re not serving the 100 percent Kona that local Big Island growers have been so intent on pushing to make sure that consumers get the true Kona experience.
Instead, it’s the watered-down blend that a few months ago caused such uproar among the Kona Coffee Grower’s Association. They discovered that Safeway was selling it in their mainland stores — without saying there’s only a small amount of Kona in it.
Next door to the press room is the County of Hawaii’s booth where they are promoting the Big Island and serving free, 100 percent Kona coffee.
Civil Beat asked Ilihia Gionson, a county representative from the Big Island what he thought about APEC showcasing the blend. He seemed caught off guard and didn’t look pleased.
“I don’t know man, I have to talk to someone about that. Like, for real,” he said. “Because if they are serving the blend and that is something we don’t like – because we don’t like the blend, right. Although APEC is all about cooperation and blending, so maybe that’s part of it.”
— Sophie Cocke
Posted by on at 2:31PM HST (5 hours ago)
We were at Punchbowl cemetery this morning for Veterans Day.
Check out our pictures of the scene: Veterans Day in Honolulu — SLIDESHOW
— John Hook
Posted by on at 1:43PM HST (6 hours ago)
All week representatives from dozens of engineering and technology companies have camped out at booths at the Hawaii Convention Center for APEC. It’s their big chance to attract the attention of the delegates, and if they are really lucky — President Barack Obama himself.
They were the chosen ones to showoff their technologies to world leaders and their entourages. But so far it’s been just a trickle of people to the library-quiet, demonstration hall.
“It’s always been just like a couple that got lost and kind of wandered in here,” said Duke Hartman from Makai Ocean and Engineering, a company that promotes cooling buildings with seawater. He’s also working to produce electricity from mixing cold deep seawater with warmer, surface water. He’s been there all day, every day, since Monday.
There’s also the Natural Power Concepts booth, where company CEO Larry Lieberman stands with a prototype of his retractable, mobile windmill that can be deployed for disaster relief. But he hasn’t seen much traffic either.
Same story for Sopogy and Pacific Biodiesel, other preeminent companies in Hawaii’s energy sector. Both companies worked for months to attract Obama to the grand openings of their solar and biodiesel plants, with no luck.
But it’s not over yet, and the companies may still get their chance to attract the attention of leaders, landing an investment or even a business deal.
“I hope [Obama] comes,” said Hartman. “It’s one thing that would make it all worth it. If he just looks at it for two seconds and the press all take pictures.”
Read the full story.
Here’s a short clip of the retractable, mobile windmill:
— Sophie Cocke
Posted by on at 1:20PM HST (6 hours ago)
At least one delegate has complained that the air-conditioning at the Hawaii Convention Center is cranked up too high. Tweet below from an Australian delegate:
Not an easy feat, given much of the convention center is practically open-air. Wonder what the center’s electric bill is going to look like next month.
—Katherine Poythress
Posted by on at 12:04PM HST (7 hours ago)
The Washington-based nonprofit says that the United States should discuss human rights issues with China during APEC.
“Economic issues are at the heart of this weekend’s APEC meeting, but it would be a mistake to give China a free pass on answering for its costly human rights abuses,” said Human Rights First President and CEO Elisa Massimino in a statement. “China’s citizens are forced to endure widespread internet censorship, repression of free speech, and infringements on freedom of religion.”
Massimino said that failing to address these issues “gives currency to China’s approach.” The White House has said that it does not plan to stray from economic issues during the summit.
Posted by on at 12:03PM HST (7 hours ago)
Al Jazeera is here and filed a report on the Moana Nui conference.
Posted by on at 11:50AM HST (7 hours ago)
Friends of Iolani Palace has taken issue with its own executive director’s criticism of the palace’s closure on Monday by state officials.
In a statement issued this morning, the Friends expressed strong support for the palace’s closure by the Department of Land and Natural Resources.
“We agree with the State that the safety of our residents, visitors, employees, and volunteers is paramount, and that we all need to respect this sacred wahi pana,” the statement reads.
The group said it appreciated the “passion” of its executive director, Kippen de Alba Chu, during a “difficult situation.”
De Alba Chu was upset that Iolani would not serve as a showcase of Hawaiian history during APEC.
—Chad Blair
Posted by on at 11:39AM HST (8 hours ago)
Mexican President Felipe Calderon has to the APEC summit at the last minute, according to Mexico Times.
Calderon likely canceled because his Interior Minister Francisco Blake Mora was killed in a helicopter crash on Friday. Seven others were killed in the crash. No cause has been given for the crash yet, but that Blake was a key member of Calderon’s security team in its bloody battle against powerful drug cartels.
The Mexico Times has reported on Twitter that a state funeral for the victims will be held tomorrow.
Calderon is the second leader to cancel. The prime minister of Thailand earlier decided not to come because of flooding in his country.
Calderon is going to reschedule meetings with President Barack Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, whom he was scheduled to meet in Honolulu.
Posted by on at 11:38AM HST (8 hours ago)
The Department of Hawaiian Homelands a photo of Hawaii officials laying a wreath at Punchbowl in Friday’s Veterans Day ceremony. Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle, Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombieand Sen. Daniel Inouye — a World War II veteran — are among those pictured.
Here’s a photo from the ceremony that Rep. Mazie Hirono posted to her :
Posted by on at 11:02AM HST (8 hours ago)
The news from Japan Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda that his country will participate in talks about a U.S.-backed Asia-Pacific free trade agreement is a significant APEC development.
Japan’s entry into Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) talks is a victory for President Barack Obama, who enters APEC with the express intent to foster a multilateral trade agreement through the TPP, the White House said this week.
The Obama administration called the TPP “the most promising vehicle that we see for achieving economic integration across the Asia-Pacific region.”
Republican leadership in Washington also welcomed the move. Senate Finance Committee member Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, issued a statement about the development.
“Japan is an important friend and ally of the United States,” Hatch wrote. “Its interest in joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership sends a welcome signal that Japan understands how important economic reforms and economic liberalization, key requirements of membership, are to its future.”
Critics argue that the TPP will not serve the so-called 99 percent (read related commentary from Civil Beat contributor Sam Domingo).
about the TPP and the implications of Japan’s involvement from The Washington Post.
Posted by on at 10:55AM HST (8 hours ago)
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is on Oahu. that he landed moments ago, and of his plane as it approached the runway.
You know what this means: Traffic, traffic, traffic.
Photo via on Flickr
Posted by on at 9:35AM HST (10 hours ago)
Everything up to this point has been merely the appetizer. And now it’s time for the main course.
The real action starts today, both in terms of APEC events and the security required to make sure they go off without a hitch.
The City and County of Honolulu announced this morning that the first event of the week — the APEC Leaders Week that started Monday at the Hawaii Convention Center — is drawing to a close.
In its place will be a distinct second event — a “National Special Security Event” that ”specifically covers the APEC Leaders Meeting, taking place on Saturday, November 12, at the Hale Koa Hotel and on Sunday, November 13, at the Ihilani Resort,” the city said in its announcement.
The NSSE is being coordinated by the Secret Service via a 24-hour Joint Information Center staffed by public information officers from various city, state and federal agencies.
— Michael Levine
Posted by on at 9:24AM HST (10 hours ago)
For the last several days it has been fairly easy to get into the Hawaii Convention Center, provided one has the proper APEC credentials.
Friday morning was a different story, likely tied into the arrival of plane loads of diplomats and APEC leaders. Though traffic is visibly lighter on Kapiolani Boulevard near the Convention Center, for example, there appear to be significantly more law enforcement personnel and vehicles.
Entering the center itself, a German shepherd sniffed bags carried by attendees. Visitors were asked to show their badges repeatedly and have them visibly displayed from lanyards rather than stuffed into pockets.
Adding to the “clampdown” feel are gray skies and streets soaked with rain.
— Chad Blair
Posted by on at 9:08AM HST (10 hours ago)
Can’t get enough APEC? Olelo Community Media Channels 49 and 54 began airing live coverage of a number of key APEC meetings Thursday evening.
Programming and Marketing Manager Jack Bates said Olelo bought into the pool feed with news outlets like the Associated Press and Bloomberg to share costs and get access. Olelo transmits the feed to their studios in Mapunapuna to broadcast out live.
Olelo also paid the Honolulu Star-Advertiser to run a full-page ad this week promoting the APEC coverage.
“We believe Olelo is the only (TV station) in Honolulu participating in the pool,” Bates said through a spokesperson.
The coverage continues through Sunday. for the full schedule.
— Chad Blair
Posted by on at 9:06AM HST (10 hours ago)
President Barack Obama has left the White House to begin his Asia-Pacific trip.
According to pool reports, Obama and Michelle Obama walked out of the White House and toward Marine One together. At one point, the president put his arm around the first lady.
The helicopter lifted off the South Lawn en route to Andrews Air Force Base about 45 minutes ago at 1:09 p.m. EST.
The Obamas will make a stop in San Diego for a Michigan State University basketball game that’s being played on the aircraft carrier that disposed of Osama bin Laden’s body. The Spartans’ opponent is theUniversity of North Carolina.
Posted by on at 8:56AM HST (10 hours ago)
People affiliated with the Occupy Honolulu movement are speaking out about the city denying them a permit to remain in Thomas Square Park, the grassy expanse between the Honolulu Academy of Arts and the Neal Blaisdell Center.
Here’s an excerpt from an email sent out from an Occupy Honolulu email address:
“WE NEED YOUR HELP! The city of Honolulu will not give us a permit to remain in Thomas Square Park past 10pm. Please call to request that the parks department grant an exception to their permit rule to Occupy Honolulu, to allow us to remain in the grassy area adjacent to the sidewalk during park closure hours.”
The city Parks and Permitting departments could not be reached for comment before 9 a.m. on Friday.
Posted by on at 8:46AM HST (11 hours ago)
With reporters around the world focusing on Hawaii during APEC, they’re also taking note of the latest in Hawaii politics.
In an article published on Friday, about the high stakes in the 2012 U.S. Senate race. Sen.Daniel Akaka announced last winter that he won’t seek re-election.
Here’s how ABC put it: “First, it was President Obama’s Senate seat in his hometown of Illinois that Democrats lost. Now, they are in danger of losing a key seat in the president’s birthplace of Hawaii, which could jeopardize their senatorial majority.”
Democratic Rep. Mazie Hirono and former Rep. Ed Case, also a Democrat, will face off in an August 2012 primary. The best-known Republican candidate, former Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle, has made the race a on a national level.
Read the
Posted by on at 8:23AM HST (11 hours ago)
Sen. Daniel Inouye is scheduled to be in Waikiki Friday morning, where he is giving remarks as part of the opening ceremony for the APEC CEO Summit at this hour.
At 10 a.m., Inouye will be among the leaders attending the Veterans Day service at Punchbowl, according to a spokesman. Other events on the senator’s schedule include a cultural reception at the Bishop Museum on Friday evening.
Posted by on at 8:00AM HST (11 hours ago)
More world leaders are arriving in Honolulu on Friday. One dignitary’s plane landed moments ago, according to a Twitter post by , the public information account run by the City and County of Honolulu.
Officials are advising residents to avoid Nimitz and the H-1 corridor into Honolulu and Waikiki until at least 10 a.m. Good luck out there, drivers!
Posted by on at 7:30AM HST (12 hours ago)
The Washington Post published on Friday a comprehensive article about the distinct goals and attitudes that China and the United States are bringing with them to APEC this week.
While the Obama administration emphasizes that China must “follow the rules of the road,” Beijing has been quick to cut down U.S. APEC goals as too ambitious, the newspaper reports.
Read the
Posted by on at 7:16AM HST (12 hours ago)
As APEC continues, global attention on the conference is ratcheting up.
We combed through international news coverage for a sampling of what’s being said about APEC around the world on Friday.
Read the complete story.
Posted by on at 5:39AM HST (14 hours ago)
World leaders plan to attend a variety of ceremonies in Honolulu to commemorate Veterans Day.
Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard will attend the 10 a.m. ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl.
That ceremony, which is open to the public, will include a 21-gun salute and a flyover by F-22 Raptors.
On Saturday, Japan Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and South Korea President Lee Myung-bak will participate in separate wreath-laying ceremonies at Punchbowl.
Meantime, President Barack Obama is still in Washington. Obama will participate in a wreath-laying at Arlington National Cemetery, and is set to fly to Honolulu after a stop in San Diego later on Friday.
Posted by on at 4:23AM HST (15 hours ago)
U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner gave remarks at the APEC Finance Ministers meeting in Honolulu on Thursday night.
He touched on the importance of China allowing its , infrastructure investment as a catalyst to economic growth, and ongoing efforts to advance global financial reform, according to prepared remarks.
“As the United States continues to work through the problems that caused our crisis and Europe confronts a period of slower growth, Asian economies will need to do more to stimulate domestic demand growth—both so they are less vulnerable to slowdowns, such as the situation in Europe, and so they can continue to contribute to global growth,” Geithner said in prepared remarks.
He said that APEC economies are “the most vulnerable to a global slowdown,” but also have the opportunity to play “the greatest role” in global economic recovery.
Posted by on at 4:01AM HST (15 hours ago)
