By Captain Ed Enos.
Rep. Case has been a staunch Jones Act opponent for many years and while I could debate the “facts” that he uses to support his arguments all day long, I can agree to disagree on this policy issue. What warrants a response in this instance is using of one of the most devastating public crises our state has ever seen to promote a pet policy issue.
Rep. Case knows full well that there is already a Jones Act waiver mechanism in place for the military. Furthermore, the domestic maritime industry has never opposed a Jones Act waiver request by the Department of Defense. He is also aware that if the fuel drained from Red Hill is shipped to international ports or bases, the Jones Act does not apply.
His premise is reckless use of a crisis for political opportunism.
This Letter to the Editor originally appeared in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser on April 23, 2023.
