Rep. Tokuda Meets with Air Traffic Controllers Across Hawaiʻi Amid Shutdown Strain

Rep. Tokuda Meets with Air Traffic Controllers Across Hawaiʻi Amid Shutdown Strain | U.S. House Representative Jill Tokuda Skip to content Close Home About Biography Our District Votes And Legislation Committees & Caucuses Bipartisan Rural Health Caucus Bipartisan Congressional Coffee Caucus Services Help With A Federal Agency Tours And Tickets Internships Flags Art Competition Commendations and Greetings Military Service Academy Nominations Funding Requests Grant Applications Events Know Your Rights Disaster Assistance Programs for Flooding Victims Community Resources and Flood Response Guidance Media Op-Eds Press Releases In The News Videos Contact Email Me Scheduling Request Newsletter Subscribe Office Locations Website Problem Close SEARCH Congresswoman Jill Tokuda About Biography Our District Votes And Legislation Committees & Caucuses Bipartisan Rural Health Caucus Bipartisan Congressional Coffee Caucus Services Help With A Federal Agency Tours And Tickets Internships Flags Art Competition Commendations and Greetings Military Service Academy Nominations Funding Requests Grant Applications Events Know Your Rights Disaster Assistance Programs for Flooding Victims Community Resources and Flood Response Guidance Media Op-Eds Press Releases In The News Videos Contact Email Me Scheduling Request Newsletter Subscribe Office Locations Website Problem Modal Search Button Mobile Site Search Submit Search MENU Facebook Logo Twitter Logo BlueSky Logo Youtube Logo Instagram Logo Home Media Press Releases October 28, 2025 Rep. Tokuda Meets with Air Traffic Controllers Across Hawaiʻi Amid Shutdown Strain Hawaiʻi - Today, air traffic controllers nationwide are missing their first full paychecks due to the Republican shutdown, which entered its fifth week. As a show of support and gratitude, U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda met with numerous air traffic controllers on Oʻahu, Maui, and Hawaiʻi Island over the past two weeks and discussed the ongoing shutdown’s impacts on aviation safety and the livelihoods of federal workers. Nationwide, the workforce includes 10,800 controllers and 3,300 trainees, yet there remains a shortage of 3,800 positions. In addition to understaffing, controllers report burnout from grueling 10-hour shifts, mandatory overtime to keep up with day-to-day operations, and mounting anxiety as Hawaiʻi approaches the busy holiday travel season. Rep. Tokuda thanked controllers for continuing to keep Hawaiʻi’s skies safe despite working without pay and emphasized how essential they are to Hawaiʻi’s medical transport system, economy, and inter-island connectivity. Controllers continue to uphold the highest safety standards even as preventive maintenance stalls, engineers remain furloughed, and staffing needs grow. “It’s important that we recognize the service and sacrifice of our air traffic controllers, and all our dedicated federal workers, not just during a shutdown, but every day,” said Rep. Tokuda. “These men and women are the reason families reach their destinations safely, the reason medical transports land on time, the reason our islands stay connected to one another and the world. They continue to show up, even without pay, out of love for their work and care for Hawaiʻi. I have nothing but the deepest mahalo for their professionalism and sacrifice, and I stand ready to work around the clock, with anyone negotiating in good faith, to reopen the government and give these workers the pay and stability they deserve.” Photos available from Oʻahu, Maui, and Hawaiʻi Island visits. ### Print Email Share Tweet Previous Article Next Article About Services Media Contact Privacy Policy Facebook Logo Twitter Logo BlueSky Logo Youtube Logo Instagram Logo