1 - American Memory

Mr. J.'RMAx. I will risk Mr. IMatsunaga to proceed and to introduce
his associates for the record.
STATEMENTS OP HON. SPARK M. MATSUNAGA, A REPRESENTA-
TIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF HAWAII; HON. PATSY
T. MINK, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE
OF HAWAII; AND HON. HIRAM L. FONG, A U.S. SENATOR FROM
THE STATE OF HAWAII
Mr. MATSTJNAGA. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman and mem-
bers of the subcommittee. It is customarj' congressional courtesy for a
witness to thank the panel for providing him the opportunity to testify.
But I assure you that my expression of appreciation this morning is
no empty formality. In order to hear from members of the Hawaii
congressional delegation, and business and public officials from Hawaii,
you have listened to my fervant pleas and worked this hearing into
what is surely one of the businest scliedulos of anj' subcommittee on
Capitol Hill. For this I am truly grateful.
I can assure you also that H.R. 7189, the "Hawaii and U.S. Pacific
Islands Surface Commerce Protection Act of 1973," proposes to meet
a most urgent need: the continuation of ocean commerce between the
west coast and Hawaii, and between the west coast and the U.S. Pacific
Islands.
You will hear, either through testimony or written statements from
those with first-hand knowledge, about the impact of shipping dis-
ruptions on the Pacific Islands. For my part, I cannot overemphasize,
Mr. Chairman and membere of the subcommittee, that the effects on
my State of Hawaii are truly devastating. To avoid repetitive testi-
mony, I will not delve into details.
The devastating effect on Hawaii and its people, I believe, can be
readily seen by a mere rcx;itation of facts and events from very recent
history. During the 18-month period ending last December, Hawaii
was deprived of mainland shipping service for a total of 179 days—1
day out of every .3.
During the major west coast dock strike in 1971-72, a survey of
small businessmen in Hawaii showed that more than 80 percent of
those surveyed had suffered from the strike. More than 30 percent had
been forced to let employees go. Hawaii's unemployment rate in Feb-
ruary 1972 rose to 6.5 percent—the highest since statehood and higher
than the national average.
Consumers, too, felt the pinch in that same strike. Some items of
necessity like rice, salt and toilet paper disappeared from market
shelves completely; and believe you me, Mr. Chairman if you wish to
start a rebellion within any American community, just try denying
them salt and toilet paper. Other products in short supply skyrocketed
in price.
Even more frustrating to the people of Hawaii was the fact that,
except for 3 of those 179 days, no one in Hawaii was directly involved
in the disputes that caused the stoppages. We residents of Hawaii
were innocent third party victims.