Dan Akaka - Senator for all generations

Mahalo

NGP Admin — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 19:24:46 -0500

Dear Friends,

Mahalo nui loa for your support in the general election. As you know, across the nation, voters made their voices heard loud and clear - it is time for a change in our country's direction, and I am privileged and honored to be able to help right our course.

I pledge to you that I will continue to work to bring our troops home from Iraq while balancing our responsibilities to the Iraqi people and the war on terror.

I will continue to support social policies that protect working families and tax policies that are fair to all people. I'll work hard on behalf of our nation's veterans and ensure that men and women in all branches of service get the benefits and programs they deserve.

My commitment to alternate energy remains stronger than ever, and I will work hard to protect our environment while lessening our dependence on fossil fuel.

Lastly, I promise you to do all of this work in the spirit of bi-partisanship that the nation is demanding and in a manner that reflects the people of Hawaii whom I am so privileged to represent.

Again, mahalo nui loa for the high honor serving you in the United States Senate.

Aloha pumehana,

Victorious Akaka says Iraq is his first priority

NGP Admin — Wed, 8 Nov 2006 10:28:03 -0500

By Ken Kobayashi, The Honolulu Advertiser

U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka easily won a fourth term last night and promised that his first priority when he returns to Washington, D.C., will be the war in Iraq.

A longtime critic of the war who has called for U.S. troops to be withdrawn by July next year, Akaka said he will be working with his colleagues in the Senate to develop a comprehensive plan for the war-torn country.

He said he wants the White House to deploy more than Defense Department employees to help Iraqi civilians survive the three-year-old conflict.

Akaka is Confident about Senate Race

NGP Admin — Sat, 4 Nov 2006 22:04:49 -0500

by Terri Inefuku, KGMB9

Sen. Daniel Akaka is confident going into Tuesday's general election.

"I feel so happy that we've set a strategy for me for the general election," Akaka told KGMB9. "We've been following it, and the strategy was to meet as many people as I can in communities, which I've done."

Others are confident too. Just past the front steps of the Department of Education, supporters rallied for more Democrats in Washington.

"If we can get our people out to vote, Democrats win and Hawaii wins," said Democratic Party chairman Mike McCartney.

Akaka taking no chances with Thielen

NGP Admin — Fri, 3 Nov 2006 12:29:53 -0500

by Derrick DePledge
Honolulu Advertiser

U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, after a difficult Democratic primary, has chosen to keep his Republican opponent, Windward state Rep. Cynthia Thielen, at a distance in their general election campaign.

Thielen was appointed by the Hawai'i Republican Party as a replacement candidate, not elected by voters, and Akaka has declined invitations for debates or joint appearances and has instead met with voters at campaign events or communicated through media interviews and television advertisements.

Sierra Club weighed Akaka position fully

NGP Admin — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 15:46:02 -0500

Commentary By Lance Holter, The Honolulu Advertiser

The Sierra Club Political Committee recently endorsed incumbent Sen. Daniel Akaka for the U.S. Senate. The endorsement drew a storm of controversy because it was "totally political," said those who support Akaka's opponent, Cynthia Thielen. The Sierra Club endorsed Thielen for the Hawai'i state House, representing Kailua.

The Sierra Club makes political endorsements during election cycles to advance conservation issues, educate voters and create common ground and dialogue with political candidates running for public office. Much of the endorsement process for national elections involves sharing national environmental priorities with candidates, and highlighting the legislation required to resolve controversial issues of the era ??€" thus oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is part of the debate in Hawai'i.

Akaka calls for pullout, help for poor and ethanol production

NGP Admin — Sun, 29 Oct 2006 19:58:02 -0500

by Lester Chang - THE GARDEN ISLAND

Making sure American troops pull out from Iraq by next July will be among his top priorities if re-elected, said U.S Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawai??€˜i.

Akaka, who is up for a six-year term, will also focus on pushing through his Akaka Bill, and funding No Child Left Behind, healthcare programs and ethanol projects.

Akaka said he will stand by his troop pullout deadline in spite of the critics, including President Bush. Bush Saturday renewed his criticism of Democrats??€™ desire to entirely withdraw from Iraq while campaigning in Indiana on behalf of GOP House candidates. Akaka said the deadline will encourage the Iraqi government to speed up the training of security forces to take over the country as American troops pull out.

Senator Akaka receives 100% grade in 2006 national environmental scorecard

NGP Admin — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 20:00:00 -0400

Molokai Island Times

Washington, D.C. - The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) today released its 2006 National Environmental Scorecard which graded Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI) at 100% for protecting the environment.

Senator Akaka said, "I am pleased that the LCV recognizes my commitment to environmental protection. I believe that preserving our environment is vital for growth of our natural resources. This is why I am a staunch supporter of alternative energy and environmental policies that affect my home state of Hawaii and the rest of our country."

Hirono, Dem incumbents would form best D.C. team

NGP Admin — Sat, 7 Oct 2006 20:00:00 -0400

Opinion
The Honolulu Advertiser

Election year 2006 brings Hawai'i to a juncture at which it would be most prudent to capitalize on the experience of veteran lawmakers in Washington.

In the tumultuous arena of national partisan politics, the midterm elections could overturn congressional leadership, or the GOP majority might remain intact. Either way, Hawai'i's voters are best served by retaining two of its veterans who have accrued seniority that can only enhance the state's influence.

Here??€™s the Real Talk-Story

NGP Admin — Fri, 22 Sep 2006 12:39:58 -0400

Asian Week Lead Editorial

The genuinely warm United States Senator Daniel Akaka is this nation's only Hawaiian and Chinese American U.S. senator. After serving Hawaiian constituents and Asian Pacific Americans nationally for 30 years in Congress, the former teacher and principal stands to gain greater influence after winning the Sept. 23 primary election for U.S. senator in Hawai'i.

With the national mood shifting, democrats may take control of the Senate this November. With that, democratic Senator Akaka must be re-elected to continue legislating or being a voice for his state and Asian Pacific Americans nationally.