Schatz talks tariffs, wildlife

Kauai had the opportunity for an in-person visit with U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) who visited the Garden Island Thursday to visit two of the national wildlife refuges, and meet with the Kauai Chamber of Commerce.

During a tour of the Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge and the Kilauea National Wildlife Refuge and Lighthouse, Schatz was able to tour some of the habitat restoration projects and discuss issues.

Schatz, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, has helped secure millions of dollars for the National Wildlife Refuge System, including the two sites he visited.

“Kauai’s wildlife refuges provide the space for native wildlife and ecosystems to thrive while also giving local communities a place to farm sustainably and practice cultural traditions,” Schatz said in a press release. “These are the kinds of places we must continue protecting. We will keep working to make sure Kauai has the federal funding it needs to preserve its land and natural resources.”

Following the refuge visits, Schatz met with the Kauai Chamber of Commerce leadership team at the Royal Sonesta Kauai Resort. During that meeting, Schatz was able to provide an update on the Trump administration’s efforts to cut federal funding, and the senator’s efforts to protect the County of Kauai.

He had sufficient time to answer questions from the chamber leadership members on the new Republican tax law, federal funding cuts, and recent tariff policies and their impacts on small businesses.

“The Trump administration’s funding cuts and tariff policies are making it harder for small businesses to operate,” Schatz said. “On Kauai, I had a chance to hear from entrepreneurs about the impact of those policies and discuss how we can continue working together to protect small businesses, workers, and Kauai’s local economy.”