Case says shipping interests ‘out to get me’ by funding Keohokalole
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The top candidates for urban Oahu’s congressional seat are taking sharply different approaches to reducing the cost of living in Hawaii, with the Jones Act, housing and federal spending at the center of the debate.
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Jones Act divides the candidates
The incumbent, U.S. Rep. Ed Case, has pushed for years to repeal the Jones Act, a 105-year-old federal law that requires shippers moving goods between U.S. ports — including from the West Coast to Hawaii — to use U.S.-built ships with American crews.
Case said the law costs Hawaii families significantly.
“We’re paying upwards of $2,000 per family per year simply on the basis of this 105-year-old federal law,” Case said.
Case also accused shipping interests and maritime unions of backing his opponent financially to protect the law. Campaign spending records show shippers and maritime unions did give challenger Jarrett Keohokalole thousands of dollars in contributions.
“They are out to get me. Let’s not be shy about what’s going on here,” Case said. “They put this candidate up. … They’re funding him to the tune of tens of thousands, maybe more dollars.”
Keohokalole defends the Jones Act
Keohokalole said he supports the Jones Act to ensure Americans control shipping to Hawaii, citing national security concerns.
“We can’t have Chinese shipping companies deliver 100% of our goods to Hawaii, because if they elect to at any point, they can just turn the deliveries off,” Keohokalole said.
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Keohokalole also argued that Case’s failure to advance a repeal hearing in Congress demonstrates ineffectiveness, and said the focus should instead be on shifting federal spending priorities.
“You end the war so you can stabilize grocery prices and gas prices. You restore healthcare access to people across the country who have lost it because of what the Republicans have done. You build housing so that it’s easier for young families to find somewhere to live,” Keohokalole said.
Housing and tariffs
Case said he supported a federal housing bill that recently passed and indicated more action would follow if Democrats take control of Congress. He also pointed to tariffs as a key cost-of-living factor.
“Another issue clearly would be tariffs, and that is clearly front and center with the cost of living, which is my number one sole priority,” Case said.
Keohokalole pushed back on arguments that federal resources are unavailable to address affordability.
“I just reject the fact that we don’t have the money for people who live and work and pay taxes in America,” Keohokalole said.
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