HONOLULU- In his third State of the Union speech Tuesday evening, President Barack Obama said the U.S. remains a Pacific power and he would not “walk away from the promise of clean energy.”
Those two themes in particular were met with enthusiasm by members of Hawaii’s congressional delegation, all of them democrats.
Both of Hawaii’s representatives, Mazie Hirono and Colleen Hanabusa, praised the president for his strong commitment to wean the U.S. off imported oil. Mr. Obama said the U.S. Navy would play a leading role in the effort by purchasing enough clean energy to power a quarter of a million homes every year.
“To have that commitment and to say specifically the Navy will lead the way in renewable energy is very positive for Hawaii,” said Hanabusa, who represents Hawaii’s 1st Congressional District. “Hawaii is the most oil dependent state in the nation.”
“Of course when we create jobs in alternative and renewable energies, we are creating jobs for local people and local companies,” added Hirono, who represents the 2nd Congressional District.
“I support the president’s call to put American ingenuity to work to make us a leader in clean, renewable energy, technology that strengthens our national security by reducing the need for imported oil,” said Hawaii Sen. Dan Akaka.
Under Hawaii’s Clean Energy Initiative, which was pushed by former republican governor Linda Lingle, the state hopes to utilize 70 percent renewable energy by the year 2030.
Hanabusa was also encouraged to hear president state unequivocally that the U.S. will continue to wield its influence throughout the Pacific Rim, a theme the president highlighted during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Honolulu last November.
“Which means that they are there to stay in the Pacific,” said the congresswoman. “Which of course has a direct impact on Hawaii; Hawaii is right smack in the middle of the Pacific.”
The president also used Tuesday’s speech to sharpen one of the central themes of his reelection campaign — that if republicans in Congress fail to act on his initiatives, he’ll act on his own whenever possible.
“With or without this Congress, I will keep taking actions that help the economy grow,” said the president. “But I can do a whole lot more with your help.
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See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
