22 Aug 2006

Hawaiian Air responds to renewed criticism from American Samoa Governor

9:35 am on 22 August 2006

Hawaiian Air has responded to the latest statement from Governor Togiola Tulafono

criticising the airline for filing a petition with the US Department of Transportation.

The governor had said Hawaiian Air is running for cover and is turning to the Department of Transportation for help instead of addressing the high fares and discriminatory fees it is charging local travelers.

The governor maintains that the supremacy clause in the US constitution does not apply to Americn Samoa because it is not a state, but an unincorporated territory.

Hawaiian Air spokesman Keoni Wagner said the governor's statements contain inaccuracies about the facts and the law.

He said since the governor has refused a face to face meeting to dicuss Hawaiian

Air's service, the next logical step is to take the issue to the federal level.