WAIMEA — U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz stopped by Obsessions Cafe in Waimea en route to his visit at the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Mana Friday. Schatz was on-island to meet with constituents and other community leaders while surveying the
WAIMEA — U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz stopped by Obsessions Cafe in Waimea en route to his visit at the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Mana Friday.
Schatz was on-island to meet with constituents and other community leaders while surveying the impact of the sequestration, accompanied by his Kaua‘i Field Representative Clyde Kodani.
One of the government agencies hit hard by the budget cuts is the Transportation Security Agency with some airports already reporting waits triple than normal, the Senator said.
Because Hawai‘i is dependent on tourism, Schatz said he doesn’t want to see these types of actions detract from visitors’ experience.
He also took advantage of being on Kaua‘i to visit the PMRF at Mana, his third trip out there, to meet with leaders and discuss the effects of sequestration.
The day-long trip also brought Schatz to meet with officials at Wilcox Memorial Hospital, the Kaua‘i Economic Development Board, the Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce and a short visit with Grove Farm Co., where he was available to meet constituents.
Shatz formerly served as Hawai‘i lieutenant governor under Gov. Neil Abercrombie until Dec. 26, 2012, when he was appointed by Abercrombie to serve out U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye’s remaining term until the 2014 special election after the seat was vacated by Inouye’s passing, Dec. 17.
Inouye’s term expires in 2017, and in 2014, Hawai‘i residents will vote on who will fill the position for the remaining term.
A more detailed report of Schatz’s visit and first days in Congress will appear in a future issue of The Garden Island newspaper.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
