APEC is well underway and more than a thousand volunteers from across the island are ready and willing to help.
I am volunteering all week, yes, everyday…no pay, lunch, ha ha ha," says Betty Yoshida, APEC volunteer.
Betty and Carol are sorority sisters and retired teachers who signed up to volunteer with other retirees, business professionals and students.
We got really good training we spent a whole day in training on Hawaiiana and the habits of people and how they learn and we had another evening training so I think we are well prepared," says Carol Ching, APEC volunteer.
Also at the convention center dozens of local business and inventors are showcasing their ideas for the world leaders to see.
I can do this and he will copy me."
Local companies are hoping to broaden their reach utilizing APEC as a marketing tool.
I’d like to promote Hawaii as a place to do high tech business internationally," says Henk Rogers, Avatar Reality.
"And we need to support it because these are high paying jobs," says Rogers.
"I invent survival gear for the military and for the consumer market," says Robert Yonover, See/Rescue.
"And the latest thing is the lighted streamers that self deploy. Fighter jets have them now on the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Air Guard and now the Singapore Air Guard which is really exciting for APEC," says Yonover.
Yonover’s bright orange marker floats and lights up in the event of a water rescue, he has also created an inflatable rescue board and standup paddle board. He says international exposure at the conference will ultimately benefit his business.
"I mean this is a big day for Hawaii and Honolulu so its important to be overly careful," says Yonover.
See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
