1 - American Memory

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25 days from today—is the expiration date of present longshore con-
tracts on the west coast as well as in Hawaii.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
[Senator Fong's prepared statement follows:]
STATEMENT OF HON. HIBAM L. FONO, A U.S. SENATOR FBOM THE STATE OF HAW An
Mr. Chairman and Members of the Subcommittee:
Before I begin my statement in support of H.R, 7189, The Hawaii and Western
Islands Surface Commerce Protection Act of 1973, may I commend you for
scheduling this hearing on legislation which is of crucial importance to the 859,-
000 people of my State of Hawaii. I also wish to express my appreciation for your
courtesy in inviting me to appear before you today. I am sure 1 speak for all the
people of Hawaii in expressing gratitude for your interest and concern.
I strongly support H.R. 7189, whicli was introduced by Representatives Mat-
sunaga and Minlc of Hawaii and Mr. Won Pat, the Delegate from Guam. My
colleague from Hawaii, Senator Inouye, and I have introduced a substantially
similar bill in the Senate, S. 1566, the Hawaii and United States Pacific Islands
Surface Commerce Act of 1973, on which a hearing will be held tomorrow, June 6,
by the Merchant Marine Subcommittee of the Senate Commerce Committee.
The preparation and introduction of this legislation represents a sustained,
intensive, and unified effort by all four members of the Hawaii Congressional
Delegation. I am convinced, on the basis of many conversations, letters, and other
communications, that the overwhelming majority of the people in Hawaii also
strongly support this bill. I can also report that it has the endorsement of many
other concerned individuals and businesses in other parts of the nation.
Under the provisions of H.R. 7189, a 160-day exemption from any West Coast
longshore or maritime strike or lockout is provided for Hawaii and the other
Pacitic Islands under U.S. jurisdiction—Guam, American Samoa and the Trust
Territory of the Pacific Islands. Together with the 80-day Taft-Hartley back-to-
work injunction that would probably be obtained at some point during such a
lengthy work stoppage, our ocean lifeline could be kept open for a total of 240
day.s.
.Justification for this legislation rests upon three basic facts. First, Hawaii is an
island State in the Pacific Ocean, nearly 2.500 miles distant from the U.S. Main-
land. Second, its geographical location makes Hawaii primarily dependent upon
a single mode of transportation—ocean shipping—for the movement of the almost
all imports and exix>rt8 essential to sustain our people and economy. Third,
Hawaii's dependence on ocean shipping renders the entire State extremely vul-
nerable to disruptions of maritime commerce.
An estimated 99 per cent of the total freight tonnage between Hawaii and the
U.S. Mainland is normally carried by ship. The remaining one per cent moves
by air carrier, except when shipping is interrupted and air cargo l)ecomes the
only alternative.
In that event, air capacity can be increased to between 2 and 214 per cent of
the normal freight tonnage—but Hawaii must forego the remaining 9< per cent,
for there is literally no other alternative means of transportation—no train.';,
no Interstate trucks, no buses, no automobiles, nor any other mode of transpor-
tation between Hawaii and the U.S. Alainland.
Approximately 80 per cent of all physical commodities purchased by Hawaii's
859,000 people are imported, primarily from the U.S. .Mainland and principally
from the West Coast. Xo industry or individual is free from dependence upon im-
ported goods.
Whether a resident of Hawaii buys a car or a typewriter, a bag of rice or a
piece of plywood. In order to reach the point of retail sale his purchase first
had to be transported over thousands of miles of ocean.
Virtually everywhere one looks, therefore, the goods and supplies essential to
modern living in Hawaii are imported or Import-dependent. Cement and con-
crete products used In construction, for example, are produced In Hawaii—but
two essential Ingredients, silica sand and gypsum rock—must be brought In from
the U.S. Mainland. To give another instance, locally produced meat and dairy
products must ultimately deiwnd upon the availability of imported livestock
feed.