Op-Eds

Let Army resume training at Makua

June 07, 2009

On Friday, the Army released the final environmental impact statement for military training activities at the Makua Military Reservation. Completion of this EIS culminates a seven-year effort that studied the effects of live-fire training on the cultural and natural resources of the valley. This includes an extensive marine resources study and a subsurface archaeological survey. I encourage the people of Hawai’i to review all the information. In doing so, I hope you will come to the same conclusion: Let them train.

Earmarks, a valuable tool when used properly

March 15, 2009

When President Obama signed the fiscal year 2009 omnibus domestic appropriations bill into law last week, he remarked, “I recognize that Congress has the power of the purse, and as a former senator, I believe that individual members of Congress understand their districts best. They should have the ability to respond to the needs of their communities.”  That has been my longstanding position. Like Obama, I believe that earmarks, or congressionally directed funding initiatives, can serve each state and the nation well when done properly.

What’s in it for Hawai’i?

February 15, 2009

Americans are struggling with the painful effects of an economic crisis, the likes of which have not been experienced since the Great Depression. If we are to renew the promise of prosperity and opportunity in our nation, we must first halt the downward economic spiral we now confront. There must be an urgency to our actions to send a clear signal to the American people that their government will not stand idly by as this economic crisis continues to worsen.