Video above shows a portion of the July 2, 2014 U.S. Senate candidate forum held at Sangha Hall in Hilo, Hawaii. Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa is challenging incumbent Senator Brian Schatz for the position.

Video by Tim Bryan, Forum Moderated by Sherry Bracken

HILO, Hawaii – The U.S. Senate Forum in Hilo comes to close. The discussion winds down with both Democratic candidates talking abut how they plan to navigate through partisan politics in Washington. The event ended with a closing statement.

Maybe you’re a leader in a community organization. A coach for little league or soccer. A business leader or a church member. Or active in your kids schools. Whether you’re in the senate or just someone who pitches in wherever help is needed. You’re in public service. You’re putting your values and your priorities to work in the service of others. That’s exactly how I approach my job as your senator.

To take our shared values to Washington. That means voting to protect Social Security every time someone tries to cut it. It means pushing to strengthen and increase social security benefits for our loved ones. Putting our values to work means fighting for an economy that works for all of us. Families, not special interest groups. Because no matter how often we hear about powerful special interests in Washington, you and I know nothing is more powerful
than the love and the dreams that we have for our children.

For me public services isn’t about what chairing two subcommittees adds to my resume or what President Obama’s endorsement does for my campaign. It’s about putting those chairmanships to work promoting clean energy and tourism, and working with President Obama to make college more affordable, and equal pay for women a reality.

We have so much to be proud of here on Hawaii Island. UH Hilo. What’s happening with
agriculture. What’s happening with tourism. Clean energy. My job in the senate is to help all of you succeed. I’m profoundly grateful for your attention to this debate. I’m profoundly honored to put our shared values to work as your U.S. senator, and profoundly humbled to ask for your vote.”Sen. Brian Schatz – July 2, 2014

Thank you Sherri for moderating, thank you to the sponsors, and I have to give a special shout out to the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce or my husband will never forgive me. So, thank you.

This is an important election and I’d also like to thank Irene Hirano Inouye for being with us, with Doctor Ruth. because this is the first time the people of the state of Hawaii will have the opportunity to determine who will serve the remainder of Senator Inouye’s term. And that’s what this is: the remainder of his term.

I wanna thank the people at the Big Island for the opportunity to learn from you. The opportunity to listen as you share your concerns with me. Hawaii Island is truly a very special place. And Senator Inouye knew that.

As I mentioned earlier, this morning we were at the re-dedication of the what will now be known as the Daniel K. Inouye Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center. What was important was Jennifer Sabas gave us the history of how it came to be. I think that solidified what this is all about. Jennifer told us how – in 1990 – all the sugar plantations were closing down. And senator wanted to do something and he said that the bulk uf the success of Hawaii Island was gonna deepend on the farmers on the people in the community. He was willing to invest in all of you. Because all of you would make it work as your greatest industry started to close down, one after the other. I was so touched by that and realized what this is all about. It is about you. And we are here to ask you – and I am here to ask you for your trust – that I will continue with that dream and continue in believing in all of you.

Mahalo for being here.”Rep. Colleen Hanabusa – July 2, 2014

SPECIAL VIDEO SECTION: Schatz vs. Hanabusa (July 2, 2014)

1. Introduction
2. Social Security
3. Economy
4. Kona Airport Customs
5. Fish & Wildlife Designations
6. Lending Restrictions
7. Native Hawaiian Education
8. Jones Act
9. Healthcare and Medicare
10. Pohakuloa Training Area, Saddle Road
11. Hawaii’s High Energy Rates
12. GMO
13. Closing

The event was sponsored by the Hawai‘i Island Chamber of Commerce, Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Hawaii, Hawaii Island REALTORS®, Hawaii Island Contractors’ Association, Kanoelehua Industrial Area Association and the Hawaii Island Portuguese Chamber of Commerce. It was open to the community free of charge.