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Hurting Hawaii Appeals to Obama for Help

Tourism tanking, state leaders urge prez not to block biz travel

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 8, 2009 7:33 AM CDT

(Newser) – Hawaii is asking its most famous son to stop bad-mouthing business travel, the Los Angeles Times reports. The state's tourism industry has seen its worst winter in years. State leaders, believing at least some of the decline comes from hardening attitudes toward business travel after corporate bailouts, are urging President Obama against adopting any policy that limits business travel.

"In this period of economic downturn when our government and businesses are striving to restore economic stability, the last thing we should do is implement policies or encourage behavior that jeopardizes any industry," Gov. Linda Lingle wrote to the president.

A surfer catches a wave outside the Turtle Bay Resort, Friday, Feb. 13, 2009 in Kahuku, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)

Barack Obama body surfs at Sandy Beach in Honolulu, Hawaii, Aug. 14, 2008. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

Awnings add shade to the Mai Tai Bar at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel on Waikiki Beach in Honolulu. Hawaii's hotel occupancy rates this winter have been the lowest in years. (AP Photo/Lucy Pemoni, File)

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Hurting Hawaii Appeals to Obama for Help

Tourism tanking, state leaders urge prez not to block biz travel

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Tourism tanking, state leaders urge prez not to block biz travel

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Barack Obama • Travel • Hawaii • business travelers • President Obama

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Detroit Bust Would've Been Better Than Bailout

Ex-Prez Bush says bailout his idea, and a good one

Obama Unveils $3.8T Budget, Targets Rich

Budget would institute 'Buffett Rule,' boost infrastructure

White House to Budge on Birth-Control Mandate

'Accommodation' for religious employers will likely be announced today

Small Donors Gave 48% of Obama's 2011 Donations

That's more than double the proportion from 2007: analysis

No Child Left Behind Waiver Granted to 10 States

At least 28 more plan to seek one

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