U.S. Representative Neil Abercrombie has urged Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle to request an emergency declaration following the announcement by Aloha Airlines Cargo Division that it was suspending all cargo services.
"The State of Hawaii has lost 85% of its air cargo capacity," Abercrombie wrote to Governor Lingle and Hawaii National Guard Adjutant General Bob Lee Wednesday. "Even the most thorough contingency planning may not protect us from some kind of supply related disaster. We absolutely cannot stand by and wait for medical equipment, pharmaceuticals or our food supply to dwindle or run out."
Abercrombie said an emergency declaration would enable the utilization of resources of the Hawaii National Guard to transport cargo between the Neighbor Islands until commercial carriers are able fill the urgent need. The Congressman spoke with Gen. Lee, who said the National Guard had a fleet of cargo helicopters that could be used if the situation required.
Abercrombie also notified U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, Secretary of the Army Pete Geren, Secretary of the Air Force Michael Wynne, and Pacific military commanders Admiral Timothy Keating, General Carrol Chandler and Lt. General Benjamin Mixon that he has asked the Governor to implement the procedure to put the National Guard on alert.
"Let's hope for a quick end to this unsettling situation so that regular food, cargo and mail deliveries to Neighbor Islands can resume, but we should be prepared for the worst," Abercrombie said.