Email: "Abercrombie Discusses Issues"
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Nearly 30 years ago, U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie waded into the warm, indigo surf off of the rugged coast of Lihue, Kaua‘i, eager for a relaxing afternoon swim. Weeks later, the congressman was writhing in pain in a hospital bed—he had contracted the encephalitis virus, a common illness associated with swimming in polluted water.

Although he recovered from the illness more than 16 years ago, Rep. Abercrombie now says he knows firsthand the critical importance of protecting Hawai‘i’s precious natural resources.

“My commitment to the environment comes from my own personal experience,” he said. “I am acutely aware of these issues.”

On Saturday, Nov. 28, the gubernatorial contender appeared at the Kaunoa Senior Center in Spreckelsville to address a range of environmental concerns raised by Maui County residents.

The congressman is no stranger to politics—both in the State of Hawai‘i and in Washington, D.C. Rep. Abercrombie began his political career as a member of the Hawai‘i State Legislature in 1974, and since then, he has taken the political arena by storm. Today, he is a senior member of the U.S. House of Representatives and chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Air and Land Forces, with critical oversight responsibilities for U.S. Army and Air Force operations, budget and equipment and weapons systems procurement. In addition, Rep. Abercrombie is a member of the House Natural Resources Committee and its Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans Subcommittee.

“My experience on this committee has shown me how important it is to conduct human affairs in a way… that it shows respect for the planet and the land,” he said.

At Saturday’s two-hour talk story session, Rep. Abercrombie greeted dozens of residents as they sat down to talk about a variety of contentious issues, including the impacts of the recent “Furlough Fridays,” the state’s energy and food security vulnerabilities, the movement towards fossil fuel independence and the ongoing power struggle over Maui’s water resources.

Acknowledging the current state of Hawai‘i’s educational system, he admitted, “It is very difficult for me to contemplate what has taken place in our state… there has been a collapse of leadership.” Visibly distressed by the thought, the congressman said, “I just visited a group of schoolchildren in Makawao this morning, and they depend on us—the adults—for their education… they are utterly defenseless [and] instructional days should be sacrosanct.”

Reflecting on the past years of state leadership, Rep. Abercrombie said, to a round of applause, “Governorship should be a cornerstone, not a stepping stone.” As a result, no personal agenda, he said, should take precedence over the crucial issues facing Hawai‘i’s residents. “I’m not alone here,” he said, noting that he has the support of many federal government players. “You can count on me… and I know I can count on them.”

With a warm smile, he encouraged audience members to contribute their input. “Tell me what’s important to you, the state and the planet,” he said.

Maui Tomorrow member Lucienne de Naie asked the congressman about the ongoing dispute over the control of water in Maui County. “The control of a public trust resource is still in the hands of corporations,” she said. “What’s the solution?”

While Rep. Abercrombie acknowledged it was indeed a divisive issue, he reminded all in attendance that “we cannot have a clash to see who succeeds or fails,” referring to the contested case over the East Maui streams and the Na Wai Eha waterways. “No matter who wins, everyone loses,” he said. “The best solution is to develop an integrated water policy in the tradition of kuleana—to benefit the whole, not just the few.”

While water is certainly a polarizing issue for many Maui County residents, the congressman said he believes it is possible to find a compromise to accommodate all parties. “I’d like to see reintegration of agriculture with stream renewal,” he said.

Water is a major concern, he agreed, but the underlying issue is the state’s commitment to achieving energy independence. “We need to make a decision to move towards energy independence,” he said. “From there, we can make the hard decisions about issues like water, land and other resources.”

And how do we start moving in the right direction? According to Rep. Abercrombie, “We need to make some bold-hearted, clear-eyed decisions.” If elected governor, he admitted with a chuckle, he has a list of “67 or more first things” to do, which include reprioritizing the state budget, particularly in the areas of water, food, energy and education. Overall, he said, “If I’m elected, my No. 1 goal is to maximize our progress towards sustainability.”

But most important of all, the congressman said, “We need to work together to protect our planet… or someday we may find ourselves without one.”

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