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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                  February 9, 2012   MAYOR CARLISLE ANNOUNCES CITY SAVINGS ON APEC EVENT   (Thurs., Feb. 9, 2012)—Mayor Peter Carlisle today announced that hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in November cost the City less than $21 million—which is less than half the $43 million that had been budgeted for the prestigious international event.   "Hosting APEC was a challenging task, and Honolulu did a remarkable job," Carlisle said. "We made sure everything was in place to ensure a safe, smooth event that made Honolulu proud, while keeping expenses to a minimum."   Final costs for hosting APEC were calculated this week. The savings will offset increased electricity and fuel costs for other City operations, which have risen substantially due to increased world energy prices.   The money spent on APEC paid primarily for supplies, equipment and personnel from the Police, Fire and Emergency Services departments to ensure the safety of President Obama and other visiting dignitaries from APEC's 21 participant economies, and to minimize traffic disruptions. The City has applied for reimbursement from the federal government for some APEC-related costs.   The Honolulu Police Department expended $10.5 million of the $18.3 million allotted for APEC in fiscal years 2011 and 2012. "Due to excellent city, state, federal, and private sector partnerships and extensive preparation, Honolulu was fortunate that we did not have any large protests, allowing for the $7.8 million savings," said Police Chief Louis Kealoha.   Fire Chief Kenneth Silva said the Honolulu Fire Department saved approximately $2 million through prudent planning, management and implementation of its APEC security plan. HFD strengthened relationships with other government agencies, added new equipment, and implemented new policies that have improved the department, he said. "In short, HFD's participation in APEC benefitted Oahu's citizens and visitors by creating a more robust and dynamic emergency response force," Silva said.   Department of Emergency Management Director Melvin Kaku similarly attributed the savings in his agency to carefully coordinated joint training exercises among stakeholders.   The Department of Transportation Services spent approximately one third of its $1 million budget for the APEC conference, resulting in a savings of more than $600,000. "This budget reflected assumptions for an event of a magnitude never before held in Hawaii," said DTS Director Wayne Yoshioka. "As such, the amounts estimated for APEC were based on conservative estimates of cost, both in labor and current expenses."   -30-   Media contact: Louise Kim McCoy, Mayor's Office, 768-7798.