9/11 Remembrance Day
September 11, 2010
It has been nine years since a small group of fanatics, driven by their intolerance and hatred, claimed the lives of thousands of Americans in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania. The memory of those terrible events still haunts us, a national loss that will forever stand as one of the most devastating days in our shared history.
The men who planned and carried out that attack on our nation, our people, and our values believed that they could destroy America with a single coordinated act of terrorism. They were wrong. We survive as a country and as a society because we still hold dear the very aspects of our culture that they despised. We continue to subscribe to those self-evident truths that established our vision as an independent people: All men—and all women—are created equal.
We are a land of many races, religions, beliefs and philosophies, and we are a great land because our national conversation includes so many voices.
Today, as we remember those who lost their lives, those who lost loved ones, and those who still fight to defend the beliefs that are this country’s foundation, let us not forget that the best way to declare our strength and unshakable will is to maintain our dignity and tolerance as a society. We will not succumb to hate, whether others direct it at us or we are tempted to direct it at others. We will not close our minds to those who are different, simply because they are different. We will embrace the complicated, beautiful diversity of our American society because to do less would be to surrender.
Today, as we remember our loss, let us also remember how we stood together as a nation, and how the world stood with us. Let us remind ourselves and each other that such unity does not come only in times of tragedy. And today, above all days, let us hope for peace.
Happy Labor Day!
September 07, 2010
On Labor Day, let’s all take a moment to recognize and appreciate the working men and women who provide for their families and keep our economy moving. Our state and our nation – from our industrial power to the spirit of progress and cooperation that keep us strong – have been built upon the foundation laid by generations of Americans who have proven their commitment through hard work. However, there is still much to be done as thousands of our family members, friends and neighbors remain unemployed, struggling to make ends meet.
I have made an absolute commitment to fight for Hawai‘i and for our people. We need someone to stand up for our workforce, especially our teachers, firefighters and police officers who represent the front lines of our communities, as well as those who ask nothing more than an opportunity to provide for themselves and those they love. The recent Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act is a prime example of how important it is that we have someone representing us in Washington who will support our most cherished values by voting “Yes” for Hawai‘i.
I wish you a wonderful Labor Day with your family and friends.
Mahalo!
Colleen
Democracy for America Endorses Colleen Hanabusa for Congress
August 24, 2010
DFA Endorses Progressive Champions Across the Country as Midterms Approach
For Immediate Release: August 24, 2010
BURLINGTON, VT – Democracy for America, the people powered PAC, announced its endorsement of progressive Democrat Colleen Hanabusa for Congress today. In spite of lack of support from the DCCC in the primary, Hanabusa won with grassroots support.
“I’m honored to announce Democracy for America’s endorsement of a progressive champion who will move us forward – Colleen Hanabusa.” said Jim Dean, Chair of Democracy for America. “Colleen stands up for the people of Hawai’i.”
DFA will support Hanabusa with money, media, and volunteers. DFA has helped elect nearly 600 progressives up and down the ballot, including Joe Sestak in Pennsylvania and Elaine Marshall in North Carolina—both DFA-endorsed candidates who won primaries this summer. DFA also endorsed four additional Democrats running for Congress today including Joe Garcia (FL-25), Steve Pougnet (CA-45), David Segal (RI-1), and Manan Trivedi (PA-6).
Mahalo Mazie for your Support of Teachers, Firefighters and Police
August 12, 2010
Honolulu, Hawaii—In the special one-day session on August 10th, the House passed the $26.1 billion Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act. President Obama has already signed the bill into law. The $26.1 billion bill is budget neutral because it is balanced by closing a loophole for corporations that employ workers overseas.
Candidate for Congress Colleen Hanabusa says “I want to express my thanks to Congresswoman Mazie Hirono for her continuing support of the people of Hawai`i. Her “Yea” vote on the Education, Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act helped pass a bill which will help Hawai`i’s teachers, firefighters and police.”
Hanabusa also noted her disappointment that D’Jou had cast a “Nay” vote and that he went so far as to call the bill a “political ploy.”
“Mazie happened to be on KSSK’s Perry and Price show this week, and she was fired up about the Education, Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act. We can certainly count on Mazie Hirono to have our backs,” says Hanabusa.
Colleen Hanabusa has served in Hawai`i’s Senate since 1998, and has been Senate President since 2007. She is the first woman elected by her peers to serve as Senate President. For more information, go to http://www.hanabusa2010.com.
HR 1586: The bill includes $10 billion in funding to save teacher jobs; and $16.1 billion in health assistance to the states that, by reducing shortfalls, will help keep many others on the job, including police officers and firefighters. Both the education funding and the health assistance have been passed by the House twice over the last several months.
It will save or create 700 education jobs in Hawaii (House Committee on Education & Labor).
Extend Tax Breaks for the Middle Class
August 09, 2010
Djou, Hanabusa differ on extending tax breaks
Star Advertiser, August 8th, 2010
Derrick DePledge
For U.S. Rep. Charles Djou, it is a source of pride that he never voted for a tax increase.
The new Republican congressman was able to keep the distinction while serving in the state House and on the Honolulu City Council—even when it meant voting against a budget that included projects he wanted—but he is now on a much larger stage.
Tax cuts approved under President George W. Bush are expiring at the end of the year. President Barack Obama and many majority Democrats want to let tax breaks for the wealthy end as scheduled but extend tax cuts for the middle class. Republicans, and a few Democrats, want all the tax cuts extended.
With the November elections looming, Democrats are hoping to tempt Republicans into defending tax breaks for the wealthy when many people are still coping with the impact of the recession.
“Raising taxes in this current economic environment is a bad idea,” Djou said by telephone from Washington, D.C. “Raising taxes is not going to stimulate growth or create jobs, and that’s exactly what the economy now needs, and pushing through more tax increases when the economy is still struggling and weak is a lousy idea.”
State Senate President Colleen Hanabusa, who will probably face Djou in November in a rematch of the May special election, said she would extend tax cuts only for the middle class.
“The middle class is what I’m concerned about,” she said.
Hanabusa (D, Nanakuli-Makaha) said Republicans are wrongly describing the potential expiration of the Bush-era tax cuts as a tax increase. She said Congress would not be imposing new taxes, only allowing tax breaks to end as scheduled.
Djou called the difference an “academic argument” and said the result is that people would be paying higher taxes.
The Bush tax cuts were approved by Congress in 2001 and 2003, a time of budget surpluses, and were pegged to expire after a decade. Bush later asked Congress to make the tax cuts permanent but was unsuccessful.
The tax cuts reduced federal income, capital gains and dividends tax rates and gradually eased the federal estate tax. The standard deduction was raised and a ceiling in the 15 percent income tax bracket was adjusted to soften the tax burden on many married couples. The child tax credit was doubled from $500 to $1,000.
The Tax Foundation, a Washington, D.C., based tax policy group, has estimated that the Bush tax cuts have saved the median family of four about $2,200 a year. A recent report by the group projected that a family in Hawaii with an income of $78,659 would save $1,739 a year if the tax cuts are extended.
While some local tax analysts believe the savings is probably lower for most families, federal taxes would go up if the Bush cuts expire.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury has estimated that extending all of the Bush tax cuts would require $3 trillion over a decade.
President Obama has proposed letting the tax cuts expire only for families earning $250,000 a year and individuals earning $200,000 a year. The president would allow the top income tax bracket to return to 39.6 percent from the current 35 percent. He would move the second-highest tax bracket back to 36 percent but adjust the income threshold so it applies only to families at $250,000 a year and individuals at $200,000.
The Treasury Department has estimated that extending the tax breaks for the wealthy would take about $700 billion over a decade.
Hanabusa questions how Republicans like Djou can express such concern over the $1.4 trillion federal deficit—and the $13.3 trillion national debt—and justify growing the deficit by preserving tax breaks for the wealthy.
She noted that Djou voted in July against restoring extended federal unemployment benefits to workers who had exhausted their relief. Djou cited deficit concerns in explaining his vote.
“You can’t have it both ways,” she said. “The fact remains that a deficit is created by the tax cuts and that these tax cuts were meant to expire by the Republicans.”
Djou has called for the return of all unspent federal stimulus and financial bailout money and for federal spending cuts to help with the deficit. He also favors a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
“Pushing through a tax increase isn’t the right way to do it,” he said of deficit reduction.
Hanabusa described Djou’s proposals as “pie in the sky,” with little chance of becoming law and offsetting the loss of revenue from extending tax cuts for the wealthy. She said Djou and other Republicans may be able to take an all-or-nothing approach with no risk in the House, where majority rules. But such a tactic could lead to a stalemate in the Senate, where a supermajority is often necessary to proceed. The result of a stalemate, she said, could be that all Bush-era tax cuts would expire.
Colleen Hanabusa files for Primary election
July 14, 2010
First, I want to thank everyone for their support in the special election which concluded on May 22nd. It was a hard fought and exciting run, and as momentum gathered for us, I was inspired by the energy and commitment.
Today, I make my official filing to run in the primary for Hawai`i’s first congressional seat. I am honored to be running for the United States Congress, and I take the obligations that come with that very seriously.
I am the only candidate in this race who will stand up and fight for the issues we care about, bringing Hawai`i values to Congress. All of us must ensure that the values of not only our host culture, but others as well, survive and thrive. We must preserve the profound and important values of caring for others, of speaking up for those who cannot speak for themselves and of taking care of our land and our oceans in perpetuity.
Hawai`i is a gentle place. Its values are caring and respectful. I will take those values to Washington and make Hawai`i proud. Voting against the extension of unemployment in a recession like ours is deplorable. We don’t do these things in Hawai`i, and we must let our voices be heard.
Most importantly, I will work for Hawai`i and its citizens. Hawai`i has only four representatives in the House and Senate. That is but one reason why our citizens must choose carefully. For me and many others, the heart and soul of Hawai`i are at stake. I am confident that the people of our first Congressional District will chose wisely in making a decision that will ultimately affect us all.
I humbly ask for your support and your vote.
Our Freedom - Independence Day
July 03, 2010
It’s important that this weekend should be spent with our families and friends, enjoying one another. There is much to be appreciated in the freedoms that we have here in the United States, and the beauty and aloha we have to be grateful for here in Hawaii.
It is not only critical that we remember the freedoms that our Founding Fathers’ fought so hard for, but that we remember those young men and women, from the U.S. and other countries, who fight for those freedoms still.
We are so lucky to watch fireworks in our incredible night skies, the symbol of those “bombs bursting in air,” over our beautiful oceans.
At the same time, we need to remember those less fortunate than we are, especially those in the Gulf whose own beautiful ocean has been catastrophically damaged, affecting their Aina, their lives and their livelihoods.
How lucky we are to live in Hawai`i. It is so important that we remember this and Malama Aina, the world and the oceans around us.
Have a wonderful Independence Day weekend.
Malama pono,
Colleen
Hanabusa Named for Special Support by National Dems in General Election
June 14, 2010
Honolulu, Hawaii—The DCCC today announced the next round of candidates that have qualified for the competitive Red to Blue Program. These candidates earned a spot in the program by surpassing demanding fundraising goals and demonstrating to voters that they will work to create jobs and put the interests of their constituents ahead of the special interests in Washington. Among the eleven new candidates is State Senate President Colleen Hanabusa, who is running for the U.S. Congress in Hawai`i`s 1st Congressional District.
“These candidates being named to our Red to Blue Program are running strong campaigns and demonstrating their commitment to being independent leaders who will make job creation back home their top priority,” said Chris Van Hollen, Chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
The Red to Blue program highlights top Democratic campaigns across the country, and offers them financial, communications, grassroots, and strategic support. State Senate President Hanabusa has served in Hawai`i’s Senate since 1998, and has been Senate President since 2007. She is the first woman elected by her peers to serve as Senate President. For more information, go to http://www.hanabusa2010.com.
Time to look beyond the Status Quo
May 31, 2010
This weekend’s State Democratic Convention has reminded me of the strength of the Democratic Party and the source of our unity. More than anything else, Hawai‘i Democrats stand for people first, and share a commitment to carrying our state forward for the sake of the diverse individuals who remain at the heart of our shared values.
Knowing the strength of our determination to make Hawai‘i a better place, and feeling myself the unwavering desire to serve, I was moved by former Congressman Ed Case’s announcement that he would not run in the Democratic primary for the First Congressional District.
I know what a difficult decision this was for him, and his ability to put the strength of the party—and the good of Hawai‘i—ahead of his personal aspirations speaks volumes about his dedication, selflessness, and fortitude. It is one of the most generous acts I have witnessed in my years of public service, and I believe that today, there is no stronger Democrat in Hawai‘i than Ed Case. I also want to acknowledge the contribution of Ed’s wife Audrey, his strongest supporter, who has proven herself an inspiring, graceful force for the betterment of our state.
As Ed said in his speech to the convention, the recent special election taught us many things. It is time for all of us to look beyond the status quo, to seek out the best ideas, and to push ourselves past what is most comfortable today to what will most enrich us tomorrow. If we are to achieve our most desired future—for our state and for our nation—we must find a way to preserve our most cherished values while reaching ever higher for the resources and opportunities we will bestow upon generations to come.
Should he offer it, I will welcome Ed’s counsel in the weeks and months leading up to the September primary and November general election. A united Democratic Party cannot fail.
Beginning today, let us march forward together. For our party, for our state, and for our future.
Mahalo,
Colleen Hanabusa
We’re in it to Win
May 22, 2010
As tonight’s election results have shown, Charles Djou will serve the remainder of the First Congressional Seat vacated by Neil Abercrombie. With over 50% of the voters in Congressional District 1 turning out in what is the highest voter turnout in any Hawaii special election, it is clear that the people of Hawaii know the importance of this election in ensuring the people of Hawaii are properly represented in Congress.
I thank you, the voters, for your faith and hope in the future of Hawaii. Tonight is definitely not the final word on who represents you in Congress. I thank my supporters and the dozens of volunteers who have contributed countless hours to this campaign.
“You are the core and spirit of this campaign. I am grateful and humbled by your unwavering support. Without you, we would not have able to reach out to over 75,000 voters in the district. Without you, these results would not have been possible.”
Tonight, the voters of Congressional District 1 have spoken. The results prove that we can win when it really matters—the primary in September and the general election in November. Now is the time for all of us to re-engage and re-energize, because we are in it to win it!
Some told us that we shouldn’t be in this race. They told us to sit on the sidelines. They insisted that we were going to fail. But momentum has been on our side, and continues to build to our advantage. Tonight’s results are a clear statement that our votes are for Hawaii values and priorities, and Hawaii voters have voted for representation that they believe—that they know—that I am a viable candidate who will work across party lines and will work diligently with Hawaii’s best interest at heart and in mind. I have always had faith in the people of Hawaii, and am so very deeply encouraged by voters’ support and faith.
I welcome the task ahead of unifying Hawaii’s Democrats for the primary and general elections. I thank Senators Inouye and Akaka for their unwavering support in this journey of ensuring a better life for all in the state of Hawaii.
It is clear that despite the polls, the voters believe I am the more electable Democratic candidate who will stand strong for our values and priorities. Now is the time to reboot as we head straight into the primary election. I will continue campaigning as Hawaii’s favored Democratic candidate.
I said it before, and I’m saying it again, I’m in this race until the end, and I’m in this race to win. I thank you for your support thus far and humbly ask for your votes as we move into the Primary Election in September and the General Election in November.
This campaign is and always will be for the people of Hawaii. So thank you dear friends, for joining me on this journey, and continuing this journey with me.
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