Schatz visits Hanalei, Kīlauea national wildlife refuges, meets with Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce
U.S. Senator Brian Schatz of Hawai‘i on Aug. 7 got a firsthand look at habitat restoration projects as well as discussed cooperative management of kalo farms and protection of waterbird species during a visit to Kaua‘i.
He also met with Garden Isle business leaders to discuss federal tax and tariff policies plus funding cuts that impact small businesses.
The Hawai‘i Democrat — who has helped secure millions of dollars for the National Wildlife Refuge System since becoming a member of the U.S. Senate in 2012 — toured the Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge and Kīlauea National Wildlife Refuge and Lighthouse and spoke with staff.
The two Garden Isle refuges are part of the National Wildlife Refuge System.
“Kaua‘i’s wildlife refuges provide the space for native wildlife and ecosystems to thrive while also giving local communities a place to farm sustainably and practice cultural traditions,” Schatz said in a release following his visit. “These are the kinds of places we must continue protecting.”
Schatz is a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
“We will keep working to make sure Kaua‘i has the federal funding it needs to preserve its land and natural resources,” he said in the release.
The senator met with leadership of Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce later the same day to provide an update about efforts by President Donald Trump’s administration to cut federal funding and his work to protect Kaua‘i County.
U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawai‘i speaks with members of Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce on Aug. 7, 2025. (Photo Courtesy: Office of U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz)- U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawai‘i tours Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge on Aug. 7, 2025, on Kaua‘i. (Photo Courtesy: Office of U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz)
- U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawai‘i tours Kīlauea National Wildlife Refuge and Lighthouse on Aug. 7, 2025, on Kaua‘i. (Photo Courtesy: Office of U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz)
He also answered questions from chamber members about the new Republican tax law, federal funding cuts as well as recent tariff policies and their impacts on small businesses.
“The Trump Administration’s funding cuts and tariff policies are making it harder for small businesses to operate,” Schatz said in the release. “On Kaua‘i, I had a chance to hear from entrepreneurs about the impact of those policies and discuss how we can continue working together to protect small businesses, workers and Kaua‘i’s local economy.”
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