Not to be outdone by Rep. Colleen Hanabusa over defense issues, Sen. Brian Schatz also weighed in on military matters today — praising defense secretary Chuck Hagel’s proposal to hold a meeting of defense ministers from Southeast Asia in Hawaii.

Schatz said Hagel’s announcement about an ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) conference “is great news for us. This Defense Ministers’ meeting addresses issues of vital importance to countries in the Asia Pacific, from maritime security cooperation to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.” He said it would showcase Hawaii’s critical role in Asia and the Pacific.”

— Kery Murakami