Sen. Daniel Inouye urged supporters to see APEC as “Hawaii’s time to shine,” in an email sent Tuesday night. 

“Hawaii’s people are the faces of APEC,” Inouye wrote. “We have been shaped by the history, culture and events of this region. Multi-cultural and tolerant, I have long believed that Hawaii is what the world should always strive to be.” 

The message comes at a time when tensions are high after a 23-year-old Kailua man was shot and killed, allegedly by a federal agent who was on Oahu for APEC.