U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard might have been in Pahoa as a member of the Hawaii Army National Guard, but her fatigues hardly helped her blend in with the other men and women in uniform at a lava informational meeting Thursday evening.
Following the end of the meeting at the Pahoa High School cafeteria, Gabbard was surrounded by constituents who didn’t want to miss an opportunity to express their gratitude for her service as well as snap a few pictures.
“I love to see her here,” said Pahoa resident Greg Buesing, an Army veteran, who spoke with Gabbard. “I vote for people in uniform.”
Gabbard, a military police captain, was activated by the Guard to help maintain security while the June 27 lava flow threatens Pahoa. She arrived Tuesday, the day she also was elected to another term in Congress, and was expected to stay for about a week.
Asked what she will take away from her time in Puna, Gabbard said: “I think the main thing is making sure that people understand the reality of what families here in the Puna area are facing and making sure the support is there from all levels of our community and our government.
“… Just being here tonight and hearing people in such good spirits shows how positive they are remaining, how united the community is in joining together. … And I think that there’s a lot that many of us can learn from their positive spirit and attitude.”