{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.hirono.senate.gov/press-releases/hirono-state-and-local-leaders-emphasize-how-public_private-partnerships-improve-hawaiis-water-security", "Hirono, State & Local Leaders Emphasize How Public & Private Partnerships Improve Hawaii’s Water Security", "2016-10-18", "2016", "2016-10", "Democrat", "House", "HI", "Mazie Hirono", "H001042", "www.hirono.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Hirono, State & Local Leaders Emphasize How Public & Private Partnerships Improve Hawaii\u2019s Water Security\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tGovernor David Ige, Environmental Experts Testify at Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee Field Hearing at State Capitol\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTuesday, October 18, 2016\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tSenator Mazie K. Hirono today convened state and local leaders to examine how federal partnerships protect and sustain Hawaii\u2019s freshwater resources. Senator Hirono, Governor David Ige, state elected officials, and watershed resource experts outlined what Hawaii groups are currently doing to improve water security, and how the federal government can support these efforts.\r\n\u201cHawaii\u2019s native forested watersheds feed our state\u2019s water supply, and it is vital that we protect these precious resources,\u201d said Senator Hirono. \u201cThe federal government will continue to play a critical role in supporting innovative strategies that protect our forested watersheds. We must continue to work with all stakeholders to improve conservation and ensure that our water resources are protected for generations to come.\u201d\r\n\u201cDuring the World Conservation Congress in Honolulu last month, I made an ambitious commitment to the global community to protect 30 percent of Hawaii\u2019s priority watershed forests by 2030,\u201d said Governor Ige. \u201cOnly 15 percent of priority watershed forests are protected. We can only reach this goal and exceed it through public-private partnerships between landowners and managers who recognize this is the best way to protect our forested watersheds and our fresh water source.\u201d\r\nSenator Hirono voted to permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Senator Hirono also worked to get Hawaii\u2019s collaborative landscape proposal, \u201cIsland Forests at Risk,\u201d in the President\u2019s budget for FY 2016 and 2017. This proposal, which includes 13 public and private partners, provides funding to purchase and protect endangered species\u2019 habitats, culturally significant areas, and ecologically important lands in the state.\r\nSenator Hirono heard from a number of witnesses who shared federal, local, and cultural perspectives on how to improve Hawaii\u2019s water security, including:\r\n\u00a0\r\nState Senator Mike Gabbard\r\nChair, Hawaii State Senate Committee on Water, Land, and Agriculture\r\nState Representative Ryan Yamane\r\nChair, Hawaii State House of Representatives Committee on Water and Land\r\nMr. Steve Anthony\r\nDirector, U.S. Geological Survey Pacific Islands Water Science Center\r\nMr. Randy Moore\r\nRegional Forester, U.S. Department of Agriculture Pacific Southwest Region Forest Service\r\nMr. David Smith\r\nAdministrator, Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife\r\nDr. Sam Gon\r\nSenior Scientist and Cultural Advisor, The Nature Conservancy of Hawaii\r\nMr. Matthew Gonser\r\nExtension Faculty, University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program\r\nMr. Trae Menard\r\nChair, Hawaii Association of Watershed Partnerships", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.hirono.senate.gov/press-releases/hirono-state-and-local-leaders-emphasize-how-public_private-partnerships-improve-hawaiis-water-security"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.989643856883049, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}