Sen. Daniel Akaka will lead a Senate government oversight hearing this afternoon that aims to examine the threat to food safety in the United States.

The country’s vulnerability to an attack on its food supply is “a big one,” Akaka told DC808 in an interview at the U.S. Capitol before the hearing.  

“We find that we really must begin to strategize protecting our agriculture,” Akaka said. “It worries me, you know, even water. They get to a water system and they get to our food system and it will damage our nation. It’s a huge effect.” 

Asked how the government can balance the need to protect its citizens with concern that regulation might hamper some cultural practices — preparation of some traditional Hawaiian foods, for example — Akaka stayed focused on security. 

“Protecting the industry so that we’ll have food,” Akaka said. “For Hawaii and for our country.”