State of Hawaii Archives: on Homeland Security

Colleen Hanabusa: Shaped National Defense Authorization Act military roadmap

The NDAA, as it's commonly referred, sets the spending priorities for the U.S. military and is of critical importance to Hawaii as the state is a major hub of defense activity. In a previous interview with Civil Beat, Hanabusa described the NDAA as the "roadmap" for the military.

She also played up its importance to the state. "Without it you can't get the money that you ultimately want to come into Hawaii," she said.

In 2014, when Hanabusa was running for the Senate against Schatz she boasted of securing hundreds of millions of dollars for the state through the NDAA, and said in interviews that she wanted to use military spending to generate more jobs on the islands.

Eddie Pirkowski: Cutting edge defensive and offensive security

A: Follow constitutional, congressional and presidential mandates to ensure lifetime safety and security for all the families of Hawaii and this nation with both cutting edge defensive and offensive security.

Q: What is your view of the role of the U.S. military in the islands, and would you like to see that role increased or decreased?

A: The Pacific Command and all the Armed Forces of the U.S. are vital to the integrity of both the defense and the offense of this nation. We seek peace through strength, trust and reliability, and we must always keep our word, for in the end, it is all we all really have. It is in this spirit with our whole hearts and souls, we support all the armed forces, allies, and their families. In this time of fast-paced technological development, we must lead as never before (e.g. hypersonic weapons, AI, defensive asset, state and nation shields).

Ron Curtis: Welcomes military presence in Hawaii, vital in today's world

David Ige: Proactive and aggressive support of troops in Hawaii

Moreover, the military plays a significant part in our economy, spending more than $6.5 billion annually with a total economic impact of $14.7 billion. It is the second largest sector of our economy supporting more than 101,000 jobs.

Even with the Pentagon's new focus on the Pacific, there is no guarantee that we can protect the military's presence in the islands simply because of our geographic location. We will need to be proactive and aggressive in our efforts to support our troops here. And I am prepared to do just that.

Mark Takai: Tax credits for companies that hire veterans

I created the Hawaii Medal of Honor and established a task force to help non-profit providers get homeless vets off the streets--building a network of care to help these vets.

I helped create the Veterans Court, which focuses exclusively on vets by bringing together state social services and the VA to help these vets adjust back into society and navigate the courts.

Our vets went to bat for us; let's go to bat for them. They are our new "greatest generation," so let's give them a chance to build our future. I also think it is wrong that some in Congress have proposed cutting critical services like assistance to homeless vets, suicide prevention programs and job training assistance.

Mark Takai: Cut defense responsibly, not across-the-board

I will work with both sides of the aisle to develop a sensible plan to balance the budget. I will work to protect those in our society who are most vulnerable.

We must make responsible, reasonable cuts to defense spending like unchecked defense contracts for weapons and other equipment the military does not need. As a member of the military, I have the first-hand knowledge needed to ask the right questions and push for better oversight of waste in runaway military contracts, while still protecting our military men and women and making sure they are well equipped and supported.

Cam Cavasso: Maintain military: peace through strength

Cavasso: Strongly Agree.

Question topic: Briefly list political or legislative issues of most concern to you.

Cavasso: Maintain a strong military with the ability to fully defend America at home and from foreign enemies. We are in a dangerous world and peace can only be maintained through strength.

Brian Schatz: Feds stretched too far in snooping on everyday Americans

"This is a difference between Colleen and myself," he said.

Hanabusa responded by saying Schatz was misstating votes and skipping over key details. "Brian, you have to start to read the bills to really understand what you're talking about," she said.

Brian Schatz: Reform FISA to protect our Fourth Amendment rights

Schatz said "I don't think he's a hero. But I think the main issue here is not so much what we think of Edward Snowden, but how we need to reform the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act to protect our Fourth Amendment rights under the Constitution."

Colleen Hanabusa: NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden should stand trial in US

Schatz said "I don't think he's a hero. But I think the main issue here is not so much what we think of Edward Snowden, but how we need to reform the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act to protect our Fourth Amendment rights under the Constitution."

Eddie Pirkowski: Maintain a superior nuclear arsenal

Pirkowski: Strongly Agree

John Carroll: Maintain our Premier national Defense Posture

When asked his top three priorities if elected, Carroll listed:
1. Eliminate Jones Act Restrictions on shipping to and from Hawaii.
2. Legislate fee ownership of Hawaiian Homestead lands currently held in lease. Insure that all eligible Hawaiians receive a Homestead Parcel in Fee Single Absolute.
3. Maintain our Premier national Defense Posture. we must maintain the highest level affordable of National Defense to insure we do not become vulnerable in Space, in the Air or on the surface.

Linda Lingle: Don't let up on its defense spending, like pre-WWII

Hirono said Congress was right to raise the debt ceiling and needs to reach sensible compromise to avoid the deep cuts planned.

Lingle compared today's times with the period between WWI and WWII to say the US shouldn't let up on its defense spending or become more isolated.

Hirono retorted that nobody's talking about weakening national defense, but Tea Party Republicans have said the US should worry more about itself than other countries.

Mazie Hirono: Sensible compromise needed on $50 billion military cut

Hirono said Congress was right to raise the debt ceiling and needs to reach sensible compromise to avoid the deep cuts planned but said Republicans are holding things up because they're not willing to allow taxes to go up for the wealthiest Americans. "We now have a Congress where people are perfectly fine sending our country over the economic cliff," Hirono said. Hirono concluded that nobody's talking about weakening national defense, but the Tea Party has said the US should worry more about itself than other countries.

Cam Cavasso: High priority on strengthening our military & intelligence

A: First will be to move Federal Judge Nominees being blocked by filibuster to a confirmation vote. Second will be to vote for a Federal Marriage amendment to protect traditional marriage and the family. Third will be to strengthen our military and intelligence capability to fight terrorism effectively and defend our nation.

Cam Cavasso: Do not reinstate the military draft

A: No