Select an option below to continue reading this premium story.
Already a Honolulu Star-Advertiser subscriber? Log in now to continue reading.
Hawaii’s congressional delegation has not yet met to lay out priorities for the coming year, but that meeting is expected to take place next week in Washington, D.C.
"We’ve been in correspondence, but because we haven’t all been in the same city at the same time, the plan is to meet next week," U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz said Monday.
Schatz is back in the islands for the first time since Dec. 26, when he flew to Washington aboard Air Force One to be sworn in as successor to U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye, who died Dec. 17.
Gov. Neil Abercrombie appointed Schatz, the former lieutenant governor, despite the final wish of Inouye that U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa be appointed his successor. The appointment was criticized by some Inouye loyalists who said Schatz and Abercrombie could face serious challengers in 2014. Hanabusa has left all options on the table.
Schatz, whose appointment runs until 2014 when a special election can be held to fill the final two years of Inouye’s six-year term, confirmed Monday he will run for the seat but declined to speculate on a potential opponent.
"I would just say it’s too early for that," he said. "We’re focused on the work ahead. We’re going to put our nose to the grindstone and do the work that’s necessary for the people of Hawaii."
Schatz was among the lawmakers present Monday when former U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka was inducted into the Aloha Order of Merit. He also plans to attend Wednesday’s opening day of the 2013 legislative session.