Hawai'i, reacting to the worldwide fear of avian influenza, wants to build a stockpile of antiviral drugs that could treat one quarter of the state's population after an outbreak.

Vaccines for the H5N1 virus that cause the flu are still under development, but public health officials believe existing antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu or Relenza, which treat flu symptoms, are the best available option.

The Lingle administration announced yesterday that it will ask the state Legislature for $15 million next session for the stockpile and for a data management system that would track the spread of any outbreak in the Islands. President Bush has proposed a $7.1 billion national plan to combat avian flu that encourages states to stockpile drugs to cover at least one quarter of their populations, which in Hawai'i is about 300,000 people.

Hawai'i may qualify for federal money to increase the screening of travelers at airports, which has been a priority given the state's proximity to Asia, where bird flu outbreaks have been centered. This month, state and federal health officials began screening travelers at Honolulu International Airport who appear to have flu-like symptoms.

"We just want to let the public know and the people of Hawai'i know that we should have a calm about us about this," Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona said at a news conference.

"I know there are some people who have a little bit of anxiety in regards to what they've been seeing in the past couple of months and, really, in the last few years in regards to what's happening over in Asia.

"But, really, Hawai'i is prepared. We have the leadership, and we have the resources."

State House lawmakers have scheduled an informational briefing this morning on the potential risk of bird flu in the Islands.

The virus is spread primarily in birds but more than 120 people have been infected and more than 60 people have died. The people most at risk are those who come in contact with infected birds, but world health officials fear a pandemic if a strain of the virus develops that can be spread easily among people.

"What we're hearing is if it ever becomes a reality it's going to be devastating to our Islands," said state Rep. Dennis Arakaki, D-30th (Moanalua, Kalihi Valley, 'Alewa), chairman of the House Health Committee. "I'm hoping there will be enough time to respond."

Some lawmakers nationally have questioned the need for such extensive spending on bird flu and there has been some public skepticism about fears of a pandemic. The Lingle administration's request for $15 million likely will be balanced against new spending to improve emergency shelters in the event of a hurricane, repair and maintenance at public schools and other projects.

Arakaki said the flu warnings, even if exaggerated, might lead to positive action. Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf Coast, for example, caused state and civil defense officials to take a closer look at whether Hawai'i is prepared for a disaster.

"We need to be vigilant in watching Asia and just do what we can to prevent a pandemic from occurring here," he said. "I think we also need to be prepared, that, should it happen, we're able to handle a crisis."

The Lingle administration will also establish a committee of state and private agencies that will plot emergency preparations for a pandemic.

Bush's plan calls for greater international and domestic health screening, building production capacity and stockpiling antiviral drugs, creating a coordinated federal and state response and public education about the risks of infection.

Chiyome Fukino, the director of the state Department of Health, said health officials recognize they could be spending money on drugs that could be useless against avian flu.

"I think everyone is concerned about that. But the reality of it is, it is what we have," Fukino said. "The fact of the matter is that it is much better to have something available that might work, than to not have anything at all."

Reach Derrick DePledge at ddepledge@honoluluadvertiser.com.