by Gregg Kakesako 

Sen. Daniel Akaka, who was re-elected this month, was named chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs this week. He also becomes the senior member on the Armed Services, Banking, Energy and Natural Resources, Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, and Indian Affairs committees.

"We have serious challenges ahead of us, including how to ensure a seamless transition from military to civilian life," Akaka said. "As chair, I will ensure our youngest generation of veterans gets the care and services they deserve. I have a special concern for those in the National Guard and Reserves who have been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan."

The Committee on Veterans' Affairs oversees the $70.8 billion budget for veterans' benefits and services, including a $30 billion health-care budget, Akaka's office said in a news release. The Department of Veterans' Affairs has 157 hospitals, 869 ambulatory care and community-based outpatient clinics, 207 Vet Centers and 134 nursing homes.

In Hawaii, the VA has spent more than $311 million to serve more than 107,000 veterans in the state. Hawaii has eight state veterans' cemeteries that have received federal funding, and is also home to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, commonly known as Punchbowl. VA also operates the Pacific Islands Health Care System, which includes the Spark M. Matsunaga Ambulatory Care Center at Tripler Army Medical Center; and outpatient clinics on Maui, Kauai, in Hilo and in Kona, as well as satellite operations on Molokai.

After learning of his six committee assignments, Akaka said in a written statement: "My seniority on these committees puts me in a prime position to help my home state in a wide range of areas from defense and environment to business and homeland security."