April 26, 2017

Aloha,

I was energized by the number of people who came out to our town hall meetings in Kaimuki and Hilo last week.  I appreciate everyone taking the time to come discuss the things that are important to you.  We will let you know about future meetings as they are planned, but please also do not hesitate to contact me via our website or by phone. 

At the NOAA Regional Center in Honolulu, I celebrated the joint efforts of NOAA, the State of Hawai‘i, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to help keep our oceans clean.  Together, they removed more than 100,000 lbs of marine debris from the Midway and Kure atolls in the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument.

I also had the opportunity to talk with some of our exceptional young leaders.   I recognized the students I nominated who received appointments to our nation's Service Academies and their families.  Our high school interns also shared their thoughts about issues facing their communities and their ideas for change with me and my staff. All of these students have already shown a strong commitment to service, and I look forward to watching what they do in the future.

I know many of you are concerned about the funding deadline coming up this Friday.  We are working to negotiate a spending bill that will keep the government open but not compromise our core values.

As always, please contact my office in D.C. or Hawai‘i if there is anything we can do.  We are here to help.

Mahalo,

Brian Schatz

United States Senator

Hearing from You

Last week, Senator Schatz hosted hundreds of constituents at his town hall meetings in Honolulu and Hilo. He gave an update on his work in the United States Senate and took questions from the audience. Information on future town hall meetings will be released as they are planned.  

To watch the town hall meetings, click here for Honolulu and here for Hilo.

Improving Weather Forecasting

Senator Schatz was the lead Democratic sponsor of the Senate companion to the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 which was recently signed into law. The bill includes sweeping reforms to federal forecasting to improve seasonal forecasting, monitoring and clearly communicating information about extreme weather events, the availability of aircraft systems for hurricane tracking, and the use of commercial data that have been collectively called “the first major piece of weather legislation adopted since the early 1990s.”

“Hawai‘i faces unique vulnerabilities from tsunami, hurricanes, and coastal flooding,” said Senator Schatz. “The bill signed into law will strengthen our ability to forecast all of these so that we can be better prepared for the threats we might face. At a basic level, this means safety--but as important, it means that businesses can plan better so fewer jobs are lost, and people will be able to maintain their livelihoods. The better forecasts this law supports will benefit everyone, and shows how it is still possible for the Congress and the President to come together to stand up for American communities.”

Promoting Cleaner Oceans

Senator Schatz spoke at the NOAA Inouye Regional Center to highlight the removal and transport of over 100,000 lbs of marine debris from Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge and Kure Atoll State Wildlife Sanctuary, which are part of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument.  The removal was a joint effort between NOAA, the State of Hawai‘i, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 

Supporting Hawai‘i’s Young Leaders

Senator Schatz has the honor of nominating exceptional students from the state of Hawai‘i for appointment to the United States Service Academies.  Each year, Senator Schatz hosts a reception for his nominated students who received appointments to the academies and their families.  The four Service Academies are: the United States Air Force Academy, the United States Military Academy, the United States Naval Academy, and the United States Merchant Marine Academy.

Applicants were considered based on their ability to successfully meet the rigorous demands of the undergraduate education and training of officers of the United States Armed Forces, as well as their demonstrated leadership skills through athletics and other organizations, and an overall commitment to the military, the community, and our country.  

Senator Schatz with some of this year's nominees who received appointment to the U.S. Service Academies.

Senator Schatz also met with the 2016-17 Schatz Seniors High School Interns to hear their ideas and feedback after completing the internship program.  Schatz Seniors are selected through a competitive statewide process for their commitment to community.  Participating students work with Honolulu outreach staff and help to identify issues of interest in their schools and communities. 

Senator Schatz with the 2016-17 Schatz Seniors High School Interns.

Students participating in this year’s Schatz Seniors Internship Program include: 

Elizeh Basim, Kaiser High School
Pomaikai Canaday, Leilehua High School
Branson Chang, Pearl City High School
Channen Dunn, Maryknoll School
Bianca Gendreau, Le Jardin Academy
Sammi Goldberg, West Hawai‘i Explorations Academy
Ji-Won Ha, Sacred Hearts Academy
Sarah Igarashi, Mililani High School
Amy Kawatani, Castle High School
Andrea Lyn Mateo, Waipahu High School
Ian Murakami, Punahou School
Jack Petrison, Hilo High School
Carolyn Price, Island School
Mahina Smith, Mid-Pacific Institute
Alexandria Tyau, Maui High School

To respond to this message, please click here. This link will take you to a webpage where you can reply to messages that you receive from Senator Schatz's office.