WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie asked Gov. Linda Lingle today to consider declaring a state emergency or disaster in the wake of Aloha Airlines suspending air cargo services so the state National Guard could carry cargo among the islands if necessary.

Lingle, however, said the action is not necessary.

"While I appreciate his concern, I have no plans to request an emergency declaration...," Lingle said in a statement.

In letters to Lingle and Hawai'i National Guard Adjutant General Robert Lee, the Hawai'i Democrat said the state has lost 85 percent of its air cargo capacity with the shutdown of Aloha Airlines Cargo Division on Monday.

"Even the most thorough contingency planning may not protect us from some kind of supply-related disaster," Abercrombie said. "We absolutely cannot stand by and wait for medical equipment, pharmaceuticals or our food supply to dwindle or run out."

A disaster or emergency declaration would allow the state to use the Hawai'i National Guard to carry cargo until commercial carriers are able to fill the need, Abercrombie said today.

The congressman said he also notified U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Army Secretary Pete Geren, Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne and Pacific commanders Adm. Carrol Chandler and Lt. Gen. Benjamin Mixon that he asked Lingle to implement the procedure to put the National Guard on alert.

"Let's hope for a quick end to this unsettling situation so that regular food, cargo and mail deliveries to the Neighbor Islands can resume but we should be prepared for the worst," Abercrombie said.

Lingle said the administration's main concerns are maintaining continuity of cargo delivery and to help affected employees.

"We are particularly focused on ensuring that critical supplies relating to health and safety continue to be transported uninterrupted," said Lingle. "At this time, there is no indication that any critical supplies are not being shipped and delivered in a timely manner."

She added "...and I believe his alerting the Secretary of Defense, Secretary of the Army, Secretary of the Air Force, TRANSCOM, USARPAC and PACAF is an overreaction."

Lingle said officials from the governor's office and various state departments, the governor's Neighbor Island liaisons and the state tourism liaison have been in contact with both those who ship vital cargo as well as those who receive shipments.

None has been made aware of any major problems in shipping critical supplies between the islands, she said.

"As we saw when Aloha and ATA ended passenger service, other carriers are stepping forward to increase their cargo capacity," said the governor. "I am confident that in the near- to medium-term, the market will stabilize and correct itself, and both carriers and shippers will make the necessary adjustments to ensure cargo capacity meets the demand for service."

To assist the nearly 300 employees affected by the cargo division shutdown, a multi-agency Rapid Response Team will hold informational meetings statewide tomorrow, the statement said.

There will be two sessions in Honolulu, and one each in Wailuku, Lihu'e, Kona and Hilo.

The team will inform the employees about various benefits and programs, including unemployment insurance, health insurance coverage, and job placement services and training.

A meeting schedule and additional information can be found on the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations' Web site at www.hawaii.gov/labor, the statement said.