(BIVN) – The one-time Commander of U.S. Pacific Command and the U.S. Pacific Fleet, now a nominee to serve as U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, has the support of Hawaii’s U.S. Senator.

Sen. Mazie Hirono introduced Admiral (Ret.) Harry Harris during Thursday’s Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Harris’ nomination, where she spoke highly of the former PACOM commander.

“I first met Admiral Harris just before he assumed command of the U.S. Pacific Fleet in October 2013,” Sen. Hirono testified. “Over the past five years, I’ve gotten to know Admiral Harris and appreciate the open, supportive, and candid relationship that we’ve developed. He and his wife Bruni Bradley have become part of our Hawaii ohana.”

According to Senator Hirono, Harris could play a key role in reaching an agreement to a permanent, verifiable denuclearization of North Korea. Hirono has been calling on President Trump to fill the position for months.

“In Admiral Harris, we have someone who is tough-minded and clear-eyed with tremendous military experience and someone who is very resourceful and focused on the task at hand,” Hirono said. “Admiral Harris’ expertise in the Indo-Pacific region, his leadership experience, and engagement with a variety of stakeholders in the region will stand him in good stead as our Ambassador to South Korea.”