Schatz Provides Federal Updates, Discusses Hawai‘i Island Priorities With Chambers Of Commerce, Waimea Community

HILO – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today met with business leaders from the Japanese Chamber of Commerce, Hawai‘i Island Chamber of Commerce, and Hui ‘Oihana Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce to provide updates about federal funding for health care, education, infrastructure, and other priorities on Hawai‘i Island. Schatz later addressed nearly 250 residents at the Waimea Community Association meeting and took questions from local community members.

“On Hawai‘i Island, I got to hear directly from business leaders and regular people about how federal policies are impacting them and what resources they need,” said Senator Schatz. “We’re going to continue working together to protect and support our local communities.”

Schatz discussed the impacts to Hawai‘i Island from the Republican tax law, given that Hawai‘i County has the highest percentage of Med-QUEST enrollees in the state and nearly 40,000 residents who receive SNAP benefits. A senior member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee, Schatz helped deliver more than $76 million in federal earmark funding to Hawai‘i Island in recent years for a range of infrastructure, housing, and health care projects.

Schatz meets with business leaders from the Japanese Chamber of Commerce, Hawai‘i Island Chamber of Commerce, and Hui ‘Oihana Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce in Hilo

Schatz takes questions from residents at Waimea Community Association meeting

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