Under the volcano: Hawaii hopes to tap Asia's booming economies

Hawaii's economy remains in the doldrums since recessions hit Japan and the mainland US, its main sources of tourists, and it hopes to tap SE Asia as a new source of visitors and investors. However, the US state suffers from an image as small and remote, and it lacks direct links to most of the booming economies. Most Asian carriers fly direct to the mainland US, and would only be interested in Hawaii if they could get cabotage exceptions, which US carriers would oppose unless they in turn receive fifth-freedom rights.