Mazie Hirono

In fact, I had to step in and ask for an extension of time to enable our, especially our Marshall Island citizens in Hawaii, to be able to enroll for health care.

That is why it is even more important that after the 1997 welfare reform law when suddenly our compact citizens no longer qualified for Medicaid, that that be restored.

Hawaii is very well aware of the challenges facing our compact citizens and so clearly one topic of this hearing is where we need to meet our obligations to the Palauans.

I think that we really need to push forward, not only, you know, I would love to see an increase in the $30 million but that all ends soon.

But first and foremost regarding Palau, it just really bothers me that the State Department and the Defense Department are not stepping forward to help fulfill our country's obligations.

I would really like this Committee, Mr. Chairman, to focus very clearly on the obligations of these other Departments and not just Interior.

I met with their Ambassador and he is clearly frustrated with the fact that our country, having entered into this Agreement, has not lived up to its Agreement.

I commend the Army for expanding its use of renewable energy, including the upcoming biofuel-capable generation plant at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii.

I offered an amendment that was added to the pending energy bill to boost the involvement of veterans in a new energy workforce training pilot program.

There have been some real creative ideas from the workers themselves that have been incorporated into the shipyard.

Are there any programs to bring some of the more experienced people back into the workforce or keep them in longer to fill that gap--experienced staff?

What must the Air Force do to regain our competitive advantages? What specific areas require additional attention?

I think that we definitely need people trained, especially in the STEM areas.

Everything is contingent on the money. We start, first and foremost, by lifting the threat of sequester, going forward.

I certainly support the chairwoman's initiatives in this regard.

The national security of our country is greatly dependent on the implementation of energy security efforts.

I was happy to see, in your written testimony, that you remain committed to improving the conditions of our Navy shipyards.

I would say that that should be a top priority for our committees and our subcommittees.

I think that, as you focus on issues such as the productivity at our shipyards... that recognition should be reflected in what you consider productivity numbers.

Thank you, and I thank the Chairwoman's leadership in the wildfire issue.

Do you have enough money in your Fiscal Year '17 budget proposal to do the kinds of things that you are doing because it is not just happening in Hawaii.

Ohia is significant because this tree makes up 80 percent of our native forests and is ecologically and culturally the most important native plant in Hawaii.

There is nothing like actually visiting a place to gain a fuller, I think, appreciation of what is going on.

I did want to take a moment to thank you for your commitment to protecting Hawaii's precious landscapes in the President's 2017 budget.

Thank you very much, Chief, for making the clear connection between climate change and the continuing challenges of fighting forest fires.