Hawaii’s senators focus on tourism, defense

Mark Abramson

Reporter- Pacific Business News

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Hawaii’s two new U.S. senators, Mazie Hirono and Brian Schatz, shared with the media in a conference call Tuesday their views on their appointments to Senate committees and on a range of issues from tourism to defense.

Schatz, who was appointed by Gov. Neil Abercrombie to fill the vacancy created by the death of Sen. Daniel Inouye, was appointed to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources, Indian Affairs and Commerce committees. Hirono, who succeeded Sen. Daniel Akaka upon his retirement, is on the Armed Services, Veterans and Judiciary committees.

“We are really pleased with the committees,” Schatz said. “We are up and running the two of us and we are united as a congressional delegation.”

Schatz pointed out that the Commerce Committee covers the private-sector economy, including tourism.

“We think there are some real opportunities for federal policy to positively impact tourism,” Schatz said.

Hirono said she wants to see changes made to the visa laws that would allow more visitors from China to come to Hawaii, which could infuse $600 million into Hawaii’s economy.

Both senators also talked about the importance of the military in Hawaii as the state’s second biggest industry behind tourism.

Hirono said she will press the state’s case that it is a strategic location for national security. It will also be important to work with U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, one of Hawaii’s two House members and a member of the House Armed Services Committee.

“There is no question that our nation, not just Hawaii, will face more cuts to military and domestic spending as we try to get our country’s financial house in order,” Hirono said in a email response to PBN’s question about how the fiscal cliff talks could affect military spending. “Every state has to grapple with this reality.”

Hirono said that as a member of the Armed Services Committee, she will work to make ”the strongest case possible for a robust military presence in Hawaii based on our strategic importance to national security,” and noted that Hanabusa will do the same in the House.

When asked about Hawaii losing seniority in the Senate with Inouye’s death and Akaka’s retirement, Schatz said it will be important to build relationships and to have a unified Hawaii congressional delegation.

Schatz said he believes Hawaii’s senators will work closely with Alaska’s senators, Democrat Mark Begich and Republican Lisa Murkowski, and he has reached out to other senators as well.

Hirono said it will be important for Hawaii’s delegation to work together as it has in the past.

“It’s kind of unique to have a delegation that works so closely,” Hirono said.

The two senators also agreed that it is important to push for recognition of Native Hawaiians at the national level.

“Our delegation is dedicated to getting this done,” Schatz said. “We have a president [in Barack Obama] who understands these issues and is supportive,” Schatz said.

Mark Abramson covers transportation, military contracting and sports marketing for Pacific Business News.