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Hawaii lawmakers react to Trump ‘assassination attempt’
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Local elected officials have weighed in about the apparent assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump.
A common message — despite party differences — was that violence has no place in politics.
Hawaii’s Democratic governor released the following statement on Saturday, July 13:
“As a nation we can never accept violence in the political arena or any other circumstance. I wish the former president a full recovery and send my condolences to the family of the person who was killed. An event like this can be very traumatic to a person and their family, so our thoughts are with them.”
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green
Hawaii’s Republican Party chair watched coverage of the shooting after she arrived at the Milwaukee airport for the upcoming Republican National Convention.
“To formally make him the Republican nominee,” Tamara McKay said, “And it just was, it’s still surreal kind of trying to swallow, ‘Did this really happen?’ To come back up and with his fist, you know, up in the air was very, not only a, maybe a sigh of relief, but strength and, ‘That didn’t get him down.’ But let’s, let’s also be responsible, not promote any retaliation as well.”
State Rep. Diamond Garcia agreed with his party chair and stressed the historic nature of the event — a clean shot has not been taken at a U.S. president since 1981.
“This was a true assassination attempt. Gunshots were fired, innocent bystanders who were there supporting President Trump, one at least has been confirmed killed. The shooter has been killed, so this was a definite assassination attempt, the likes that we have not seen since President Reagan,” the Hawaii House Minority Floor Leader said.
“What needs to be said clearly is no matter what your beliefs are politically, violence has no place in a free society at all,” Rep. Garcia said.
Several other local elected officials including Hawaii Kai Rep. Gene Ward, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi, Sen. Brian Schatz and Reps. Jill Tokuda and Ed Case have all released their own statements on the shooting that can be viewed below.
Hawaii’s republican chair said the Republican National Convention will be quite the scene.
“I just got a text saying he will come still to accept his nomination and I can only imagine the roar, the thunder for him to stand strong and still take the stage for his nomination,” McKay said.
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Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said through a statement:
“I am horrified and saddened by the news of the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump today. Such acts of violence have no place in our society, and we must stand united against them. My thoughts and prayers are with the former President and his family during this incredibly difficult time. I also extend my heartfelt condolences to the family of the innocent bystander who tragically lost their life in this senseless act. Additionally, my prayers go out for the recovery of the two individuals who were critically injured. In moments like these, it is crucial for us to come together as a community and reject all forms of violence. Let us stand in solidarity, offering support and compassion to those affected by this tragedy, and work tirelessly to ensure such acts do not define our future.”
Hawaii Rep. Jill Tokuda of Hawaii’s second congressional district said through a statement:
“Sending out my deep condolences to those affected by today’s tragic incident, and prayers of recovery and safety to everyone impacted. I spent most of today encouraging civic engagement, telling AANHPI to use their voice and be seen. Our democracy must be grounded in civil discourse, mutual respect, and most of all aloha. These kinds of horrific acts only serve to silence and instill fear, and do not reflect the values of our country. We are better than this, and we must come together to reject all violence.”
Hawaii Rep. Ed Case of Hawaii’s first congressional district said through a statement:
“Our hearts go out to the innocent lost and we pray for President Trump
and the others wounded. Violence must not be the answer. Voters, not guns, must decide
elections.”
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Sen. Brian Schatz said on social media:
“This is absolutely horrifying. Political violence is always unacceptable. I am praying for everyone’s safety.”
Hawaii Kai State Rep. Gene Ward said through a statement:
“Americans have the Boston Tea Party in their DNA, but today’s shooting of former President Trump is the extremism that is totally unacceptable, barbaric, and makes me hate my profession when things like this happen. No one from both sides of the aisle should take politics so seriously to turn a rally into a crime scene. Please pray for the former President and our nation.”
Hawaii
Hawaii topples Rockhurst in 4 sets in nightcap despite 24 service errors | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
Hawaii
Nick Taylor back to defend Sony. Will it be the last time its played?
Nick Taylor won the Sony Open in Hawaii a year ago in dramatic fashion, as he needed a playoff to earn his fifth PGA Tour win. It was the third year in a row the Canadian won a tournament in a playoff.
This year, he’s back on the island of Oahu to defend his title at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu. The Sony, traditionally the second tournament of the season, gets lead-off honors in 2026 after The Sentry was canceled.
With rumors swirling about significant schedule changes coming in 2027, the Sony Open might fall off the radar.
“It’ll be a place that I’ll miss a lot, not just this tournament, but the state of Hawaii,” Taylor said during his media session Wednesday after his morning pro-am. “It’s one with Maui being such an awesome event over the years feeling like such an accomplishment to play there. Other than last couple years if win you’re playing in that golf tournament. It just felt like it was a great start to the year.
“Nothing set in stone. It’ll still be a place I’m going to visit. I don’t know about annually after that. We’ll see. My wife, we’re going to miss it. Yeah, it’ll be a year that I guess we won’t take it as much for granted this year with potentially things changing.”
And if the Hawaii swing does become a thing of the past, the PGA Tour season is likely to have a later start on the calendar.
“You know, if more of an offseason is something that results in this, I have two young kids, that’s something would be very valuable,” he said of those schedule rumors. “I know as much as probably everybody in this room, so there is a lot of the things I don’t quite know. Extending the offseason I think nobody would complain about that, so that would be something I would definitely take advantage of, spend more time with family and be at home.”
Collin Morikawa, meanwhile, is playing the Sony for the first time since 2021.
“I love it. I’ve taken this event off the past couple years and I miss it. It’s a fun event,” he said. “For me, family ties to Hawaii. Always good to be out here. Even the last couple years that I haven’t played we came over for a couple days and hung out for vacation. Just an amazing island to be on.”
Morikawa’s grandparents were born in Lahaina on Maui, where the Sentry is normally held.
“For me, someone that has ties to Hawaii, you never want to see something go away for good,” he said. “It just makes you realize, stay present this week and enjoy it as much as you can and see what kind of memories we can make. Hopefully finally find a way to win on the islands out here.”
Hawaii
Here’s How to Protect and Expand Social Security, According to One Hawaii Senator | The Motley Fool
With approximately six years until Social Security benefits must be cut, one group of Hawaii legislators has come up with a simple plan to prevent a shortfall.
It’s no secret that Social Security, as we know it, is in a pinch. According to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget (CRFB), the Social Security and Medicare trust funds are six years away from insolvency.
The combination of more retirees, fewer people in the workforce, and the impact of President Trump’s big, beautiful bill (OBBBA) leads the CRFB to estimate a 24% Social Security cut in late 2032 if nothing is done. In addition, retirees could face an 11% cut in Medicare Hospital Insurance payments.
This isn’t the first time the trust funds have been in trouble. In 1982, the fund that helped cover the cost of monthly Social Security benefits faced a significant shortfall and was forced to borrow from other funds to pay benefits on time. Congress was able to work together long enough to raise taxes on some, adjust benefits, and prevent insolvency.
With a similar problem facing the trusts 44 years later, Hawaii’s Senator Brian Schatz and Representative Mazie Hirono (along with Rep. Jill Tokuda) believe they have a simple solution. Here’s what their proposal, called the SAFE Social Security Act, would do.
Image source: Getty Images.
Lift the payroll tax
To ensure payroll taxes apply fairly across the board and that the rich pay their share, the proposal includes a plan to phase out the payroll tax cap so that no one can stop paying into Social Security once their income hits $184,500.
Adjust benefit calculations
The trio suggests adjusting the way current benefits are calculated, a move that would increase the average monthly benefit by more than $150.
Update how cost-of-living adjustments are determined
As of today, cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) are based on increases in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) from the third quarter of the previous year to the third quarter of the current year. In theory, using inflation tied to CPI-W is supposed to help retirees keep pace with the rising cost of living.
For years, however, senior citizen advocacy groups have insisted that the wrong index is being used because working adults and retired adults spend money differently. For example, an older retiree is likely to spend more on medical care than a younger person still in the workforce.
The Hawaii legislator’s plan would address the issue by basing the COLA on an index that tracks inflation related to seniors’ spending. Specifically, they’re talking about the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E).
Sen. Schatz believes that the SAFE Social Security Act will expand Social Security and put more money in the hands of those who rely on it. It will also strengthen the program for the next generation of retirees, ensuring today’s workforce has something to look forward to.
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