Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka, Chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, sent a letter today urging Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff to add Asian language translations to videos for international tourists processed at Honolulu International Airport.  Akaka praised the selection of Honolulu, one of the top U.S. destinations for international travelers, as one of 18 additional airports to be part of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Model Ports Initiative:

"This program has the potential of making Hawaii's international tourists feel even more welcome and relaxed as they arrive in the Aloha State," Akaka said.  "Currently, the video that will assist travelers with the customs and immigration process is offered in Spanish, French, German, and English.  I am concerned that information provided only in Western European languages will not benefit the majority of foreign visitors to Hawaii and thus jeopardize the effectiveness of the Model Ports Initiative."

Akaka noted that over 1.8 million international tourists flew into Hawaii last year; over 1.3 million from Japan, and well over 100,000 from China, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

CPB's press release announcing the expansion of the program can be found at: http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/04252008_2.xml

Akaka's letter to Chertoff appears below:

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