President Barack Obama begins a nine-day mission today as a step toward furthering America's role in including this region of the world as an essential element in U.S. jobs and security.
By John C. Lechleiter This week the United States is hosting the leaders in the Asia-Pacific region as part of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. Among the many ideas being discussed, one, in particular, can wait no longer: We must secure key free trade agreements that will support our economy, our innovation-based industries, and jobs in the U.S.
By Lori Wallach APEC poses greater threats than traffic nightmares for Hawaii's people. Behind closed doors a policy is being devised that could raise medicine prices, drive down our wages, ban job-creating "Buy America" policies, undermine financial regulations aimed at controlling the banks that wrecked our economy while exposing Hawaiian ceded lands and environmental policies to challenge.
At long last, it's showtime. This week's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting will be a showcase of Hawaii to the world, and numerous local companies see it as a chance to increase their visibility and sales abroad.
By Charles E. Morrison Honolulu now stands at the eve of hosting the leaders, officials, business executives and media of the 21 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation economies. Much of the discussion locally has naturally focused on the impacts and potential benefits that hosting the meetings will bring to our city and state. But why is APEC important on the global level, and what might its future hold?
This week, the eyes of the world will be on Hawaii as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation convenes its 2011 meeting in the Aloha State. Locally there are understandable worries about traffic, security measures and the inconveniences we'll experience. And there are questions about what the long-term beneficial impacts will be for Hawaii.
By Qiu Shaofang For Chinese people, Hawaii not only brings to mind beautiful beaches and coconut palms, but also sparks emotional thoughts about Dr. Sun Yat-sen, father of modern China, who led the 1911 Revolution 100 years ago.
By Cynthia Oi Oh, that Peter Carlisle. You can trust that the former city prosecutor who is now mayor would be his forthright self when remarking on public complaints about hassles anticipated because of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation sessions here.
By Keith Vieira The world's attention will be focused on Hawaii when the presidents, prime ministers, Cabinet members, corporate CEOs and legions of journalists from the 21 member economies of APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) gather in Honolulu for a series of "Leaders' Week" meetings Nov. 7-13.
By Peter A. Petri In the last half century, world trade has grown twice as fast as output and helped to lift the majority of the world's people from poverty -- a feat unimaginable a generation ago. When APEC leaders meet in Honolulu next month, they will represent countries that account for half of world trade. Can APEC help to keep the engine humming for another half century?
By David Shapiro I was on the Fort Street Mall enjoying my favorite acai bowl at Vita Juice when a fellow approached me and asked, "Are you the David Shapiro who writes the flashbacks column?"
The upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference should be a motivator to deal effectively with Hawaii's homeless problem, without devolving into an excuse for draconian measures.
By Muhamad Noor With the global economy still mired in uncertainty, reform of trade regulations is crucial.
By Ray K. Tsuchiyama For the last year Hawaii business boosters have optimistically projected a post-APEC Summit 2011 economic Golden Age: Silicon Valley high-tech firms launching software development centers, Chinese investments in Hawaii renewable energy, and Thai joint ventures in ocean farming.
The "Value of Hawaii" panel discussions at the recent Hawaii Book and Music Festival reinforced the sense that Hawaii has something the world desperately needs.
There is an extraordinary bond between Hawaii and Japan, built over decades through sustained diplomatic, economic and cultural exchanges.
By John E. Johnson Question: What opportunities will there be for Hawaii companies to conduct business during APEC?
By Cynthia Oi Whoops, it's time to clean house. Company's coming. Not just your everyday fun-sun-surf tourists, important to Hawaii as they are, but big-time guests.
By APEC 2011 Hawaii Host Committee Leadership In November, President Barack Obama will host the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' Meeting in Hawaii.
By Gloria Garvey The announcement that Hawaii will host APEC in 2011 prompted talk about security: Are we prepared to handle an event with leaders of member countries as diverse and important as Russia, the People's Republic of China and Japan, as well as 17 other member economies?