Dan Akaka - In the News

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A longtime critic of the war who has called for U.S. troops to be withdrawn by July next year, Akaka said he will be working with his colleagues in the Senate to develop a comprehensive plan for the war-torn country.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

Officials Hope to See Federal Recovery Funds

NGP Admin — Tue, 17 Oct 2006 14:07:27 -0400

from TheHawaiiChannel.com

HONOLULU -- For some parts of the Big Island, things may never get back to normal after the damage left behind by Sunday's powerful 6.7 earthquake.

Civil Defense officials are still getting damage reports from Big Island residents and businesses.

Their focus on Monday was working with agencies like the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Red Cross to get detailed damage assessments.

Hawaii County Civil Defense announced on Monday that it will dispatch teams to survey residents' homes for structural damage. They urged residents to call 935-0031 on the Big Island. Teams will evaluate whether the homes are safe to remain in and help to survey the total damage on the Big Island.

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.

Akaka receives 100% voting rating in support of women

NGP Admin — Thu, 28 Sep 2006 20:00:00 -0400

Molokai Island Times

Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI) was recognized today by the American Association of University Women (AAUW) as one of just over a dozen U.S. Senators who received a 100 percent voting rating in AAUW's Congressional Voting Record.

Senator Akaka said, "I have consistently voted in support of women because it is the right thing to do. I strongly believe that Congress must protect the rights of all Americans."

According to the AAUW, the Senate votes covered in its Congressional Voting Record for the 109th Congress include: Pell grant funding, vocational education reauthorization, funding for higher education, judicial nominations, the federal marriage amendment, and reproductive rights.

Democrats reconcile after Akaka-Case jolt

NGP Admin — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 12:47:43 -0400

By Derrick DePledge, Advertiser Government Writer
The Honolulu Advertiser

Democrats torn by the Senate primary between U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka and U.S. Rep. Ed Case edged toward unity yesterday, but many of the party's leaders recognized that Case's insurgent campaign brought with it a lesson about change.

Akaka turned back Case with 54 percent of the vote to 45 percent on Saturday after getting substantial help from national and Island Democrats. The margin was personally satisfying for Akaka, who was criticized by Case during the campaign as ineffective, and it showed that the party's establishment can still deliver when challenged.