Press Releases

Washington, DC—Today, Senator Brian Schatz released the following statement after 12 people were killed in a shooting at the Washington, DC Navy Yard. “I joined the rest of the country in being horrified by yesterday’s senseless shooting at the Washington, DC Navy Yard. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims’ families as they begin to cope with the loss of their loved ones. “We have to do whatever we can to prevent this type of tragedy from occurring...

Washington, DC--Today, Senator Brian Schatz announced the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation will receive a $7,485,000 grant from the Federal Transit Administration. This grant provides funding for ferry projects at the Kaunakakai, Manele and Maalaea Small Boat Harbors to rehabilitate ferry terminal and piers, increase the efficiency, safety and hospitability of the existing inter-island ferry system. “Maintaining an array of options for inter-island travel is critical to our...

Washington, DC—Today, Senator Schatz announces heightened federal resources to assist the State of Hawai’i, including the involvement of the Coast Guard’s Pacific Strike Team.  The Pacific Strike Team is part of the Coast Guard's National Strike Force, which is a national unit comprised of highly-trained, experienced personnel charged with responding quickly to oil and other hazardous spills. “This spill is being taken very seriously, which is why the Coast Guard has...

Washington, DC—Today, Senator Brian Schatz released the following statement on the developing situation in Syria. "The framework announced by Secretary Kerry and Foreign Minister Lavrov is encouraging and provides the possibility for international control and eventual elimination of Syria's chemical weapons, while avoiding military action," said Senator Brian Schatz. "I will continue closely monitoring these developments as they unfold." ###

Honolulu, HI--Today, Governor Abercrombie and the Hawai‘i Department of Health formally requested federal assistance with response to the molasses spill. Senator Schatz has mobilized the federal response from agencies including NOAA, the EPA, and the United States Coast Guard. The State requested assistance from the U.S. Coast Guard, which makes Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) funding available for expenses related to this spill. The Coast...

Washington, DC—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today that it is sending two on-scene coordinators to Oahu to assist the State in its response to the spill of an estimated 224,000 gallons of molasses on Sunday.   “After several conversations with officials at the Environmental Protection Agency, the agency has decided to send two on-scene coordinators with expertise in spill response to Oahu today to assist the state.  We are also in touch with the...

Washington, DC—Today, Senator Brian Schatz released the following statement on the 12th anniversary of the September 11th attacks. “On this day, twelve years ago, our world fundamentally changed forever. Today and every September 11th, we remember the horror of that day, the fear and confusion that rippled across our nation, the heroism of our first responders, the beauty and love shared between friends, neighbors, and perfect strangers, and the unbreakability of the American...

Washington, DC – Today, Senator Brian Schatz lauded the selection of Hawai‘i as the host of the 48th Meeting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum Telecommunications and Information Working Group (APEC TEL 48). “I am pleased that the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum Telecommunications and Information Working Group has selected Hawai‘i as its 2013 host,” said Senator Brian Schatz.  “Hawai‘i has much to offer as an international...

Washington, DC—Today, President Obama nominated Deputy Director of the Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources Esther Kia‘aina for the position of Assistant Secretary for Insular Areas at the Department of the Interior. The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs coordinates federal policy in the territories of American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The office also administers U.S....

Washington, DC—The Hawai‘i Department of Defense will receive a grant worth $872,075 from the U.S. Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) under the State and Local Implementation Grant Program (SLIGP) program to support the planning, education and outreach activities in preparation for building the first nationwide public safety broadband network. “Our police, firefighters and emergency service professionals deserve a...

Today, Senator Brian Schatz announced seven grants from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) totaling more than $23 million for Hawai‘i including funding for airport projects in Honolulu, Kaunakakai, and Lanai City. “The FAA and FTA have made transportation in Hawai‘i a priority, and the grants announced today are evidence of that,” said Senator Brian Schatz. “I have confirmed through conversations with...

Honolulu, HI –Today, the U.S. Navy’s Office of Naval Research announced that it will invest $30 million in Hawaii-based Energy Excelerator, an energy startup program that aims to help companies bring innovative energy solutions to the marketplace, thereby expanding upon the clean energy economy in Hawai‘i and the Asia-Pacific. “This shows that the Department of the Navy is serious about clean energy, because they understand that energy security is in our national...

Honolulu, HI—Today, Senator Brian Schatz released the following statement: “I have weighed the expert briefings and analysis, and listened closely to the people of Hawaii.   Though all of us are outraged by the Assad regime’s use of chemical weapons, I have concluded that a military strike against Syria is not the answer. Therefore, I will oppose this resolution.” ###

Honolulu, HI—Today, Senator Brian Schatz announced that TSA is expanding its PreCheck Program in Hawai‘i. Kahului Airport, Kona International Airport, and Lihue Airport will be added to the list of airports with a TSA PreCheck option. Additionally, the number of PreCheck lanes at Honolulu International Airport will be expanding. Senator Schatz has been actively seeking expansion of the PreCheck program in Hawaii, sending a letter to Transportation Security Administration (TSA)...

Today, Senator Brian Schatz announced that the County of Hawai‘i's Department of Environmental Management will receive a $4.02 million grant and a low-interest, 35 year loan of $2.4 million from the Office of Rural Development at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The award is facilitated through the Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program to improve and expand the existing wastewater system in the Lono Kona subdivision in Kailua-Kona. “It is critical infrastructure investments...

Honolulu, HI—Today, Senator Brian Schatz issued the following statement regarding Congressional consultation on military action in Syria. “Yesterday, I stated the importance of the full participation of the United States Congress with respect to proposed military action in Syria.  Today, President Obama has taken the proper step in announcing that he will seek Congressional authorization before taking military action. "Congress must weigh in. And this...

Honolulu, HI—Today, Senator Brian Schatz released the following statement on the situation in Syria: “The President and his National Security team have provided strong evidence that the Assad regime is responsible for the recent horrific chemical weapons attack against innocent Syrian civilians.  We must send a clear message that the use of chemical weapons is abhorrent and will not be tolerated by the United States or the international community.  It is important that...

Honolulu, HI—Yesterday, Senator Brian Schatz received the Hawaii Climate Champion Award from Organizing for Action, the grassroots arm of Obama for America. The group cited the Senator’s leadership role with the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative and his commitment to the expansion of Hawaii’s clean energy economy as the primary reasons for this accolade. “Climate change is an urgent, real issue for Hawai‘i and our nation,” said Senator Brian Schatz. “That...

Honolulu, HI—Today, Senator Brian Schatz released the following statement on the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic “I Have a Dream” speech. Schatz will also join state leaders in the Honolulu Capitol Rotunda at 4 pm HST for an event commemorating the occasion. “Today marks the 50th anniversary of one of the most remarkable speeches, and movements, of our time. In his historic oration, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr....

Honolulu, HI—Today, Senator Brian Schatz joined Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on a visit with service members at Marine Corps Base Hawaii. “I join all of Hawai‘i in welcoming Secretary Hagel, and thanking him for visiting with our men and women in uniform and thanking them for their service,” said Senator Brian Schatz.  “Secretary Hagel emphasized that Hawai‘i is a crucial and enduring hub for the U.S. military, especially as we rebalance to the...