Congresswoman Hanabusa visits Hawaii island
Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa visited Hawaii island today to meet with representatives of the U.S. Forest Service, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and U.S. Geological Survey.
Hanabusa, a member of the House Natural Resources Committee, was on Hawaii island this morning to gather data on the Kilauea eruption ahead of a possible Natural Resources Committee Hearing on volcano hazards. She also delivered remarks at the U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center during the Hawaii Floriculture & Nursery Association’s disaster emergency resource meeting this afternoon.
“We are committed to securing all the federal resources Hawaii island needs,” said Hanabusa. “Our focus must be on helping the people of Puna and ensuring that county, state and federal resources are efficiently used to help people.”
On Wednesday, Hanabusa sent a letter to House Natural Resources Chairman Rob Bishop about the potential of holding a hearing on Volcano Hazards similar to the one in 2014 regarding the importance of volcano hazard preparedness and response.
“I foresee important discussions regarding the heightened role and significance of the USGS mission in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, the damage to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, the state’s most popular visitor site,” Hanabusa said in the letter,” and the significant impact of the eruption to Hawaii residents, business and tourism.”