May 18, 2007 - Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders

Click here to listen to this address.
 
"I recently participated in the Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders in Washington, D.C.

I was joined by nearly 30 leaders from American Samoa, the Cook Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Tonga, Fiji, Palau and other Pacific nations.  Hawai`i's special place in the Pacific unites us with these island nations and territories through geography, as well as our shared culture, history and ancestry.

The conference afforded me an excellent chance to discuss challenges, opportunities, and common issues we face in the Pacific.

By building stronger relationships in our region of the world this past week, Hawai`i will continue to play a critical role in promoting regional security and economic prosperity in what is proving to be the Asia-Pacific Century, and the Hawai`i Century."