VIDEO: Hirono Presses Secretary of Defense on DOD Priorities in Hawaii

WASHINGTON, D.C. –U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, questioned Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on U.S. national security priorities during a full committee hearing. During her question line, Senator Hirono pressed Secretary Austin on the need for military infrastructure investments in Hawaii, the Department of Defense’s (DOD) support for military families, and future plans for Hawaii’s missile defense.

Senator Hirono emphasized the need to invest in maintenance and modernization of military infrastructure in Hawaii in order to prevent disasters, such as the fuel spill at Red Hill, from occurring.

“Investments in the military’s infrastructure are directly correlated to our readiness and ability to execute deterrence; however, as the people of Hawaii saw from the disaster at Red Hill, military infrastructure also impacts our cities and towns,” said Senator Hirono during the hearing. “Fuel, chemical, and sewage spills have lasting impacts on our lands and erode the trust of servicemembers and their communities. We must invest in the systems they rely on each day.”

Senator Hirono also commended Secretary Austin on several DOD policies implemented during his tenure to support servicemembers and their families. She highlighted policies that have increased servicemembers’ access to childcare; instituted parental leave; and ensured access to reproductive health care for all servicemembers, regardless of where they are stationed. During the exchange, Senator Hirono also reiterated her opposition to the proposed cuts to the cost of living allowance for military families in Hawaii.

“In the same vein of wanting to support our servicemembers, I do want to mention that there is the potential for significant cuts to the cost of living of Hawaii servicemembers,” said Senator Hirono. “I think that these huge cuts for Hawaii servicemembers are unjust and unfair, and I hope there will be a reconsideration of that decision.”

At the end of her question line, Senator Hirono underscored the importance of developing a unified, department-wide plan for the missile defense of Hawaii, something she has repeatedly pressed senior DOD officials on.

“While there is certainly more work to be done to establish and execute a long-term plan for the missile defense of Hawaii, I am encouraged to see the Department treating this issue with the seriousness it demands,” concluded Senator Hirono.

A link to download video of Senator Hirono’s full question line is available here.

As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Chair of the Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support, Senator Hirono is focused on overseeing the safe closure of Red Hill, rebuilding and modernizing military infrastructure in Hawaii and around the country, strengthening U.S. relationships with partners and allies, and advancing DOD’s work to combat climate change. 

Senator Hirono is also fighting to ensure the Department of Defense (DOD) is ready and able to defend Hawaii from foreign threats, and has repeatedly pressed DOD leadership on the need for a unified, department-wide plan for the missile defense of Hawaii. Last week, she questioned General Glen VanHerck, Commander of the U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) and North American Aerospace Defense Command, on the need for a robust, unified plan for missile defense of Hawaii during a full committee hearing. In a hearing last month, Senator Hirono also pressed the Commanders of U.S. Strategic Command and U.S. Space Command about the roles their commands play in Hawaii’s missile defense. 

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