In The News
Hirono bill looks to make migrants eligible for medicaid
The Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday approved two measures introduced by Senator Mazie K. Hirono that she says will save Hawaii taxpayers millions of dollars. The two measures would save the state millions by restoring Medicaid eligibility for workers from Micronesia, Palau and the Marshall Islands and would fix rules that disproportionately impact Hawaii's fishing industry. "Both of these amendments address longstanding issues that impact Hawaii, and getting these measures included in immig… Continue Reading
May 14, 2013
Hirono bill looks to make migrants eligible for medicaid
The Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday approved two measures introduced by Senator Mazie K. Hirono that she says will save Hawaii taxpayers millions of dollars. The two measures would save the state millions by restoring Medicaid eligibility for workers from Micronesia, Palau and the Marshall Islands and would fix rules that disproportionately impact Hawaii's fishing industry. "Both of these amendments address longstanding issues that impact Hawaii, and getting these measures included in immig… Continue Reading
May 14, 2013
Hirono Amendments Move Through Senate Committee
A US Senate committee has approved a bill that would restore Medicaid eligibility for migrants from Micronesia, Sen. Mazie Hirono said today. The measure, which now becomes part of immigrant reform legislation making its way through Congress, affects migrants from the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Republic of Palau, which are members of the Compact of Free Association with the US. Although a law passed by Congress in 1996 prevented those Hawaii residents from receivi… Continue Reading
May 14, 2013
Hirono Amendments Move Through Senate Committee
A US Senate committee has approved a bill that would restore Medicaid eligibility for migrants from Micronesia, Sen. Mazie Hirono said today. The measure, which now becomes part of immigrant reform legislation making its way through Congress, affects migrants from the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Republic of Palau, which are members of the Compact of Free Association with the US. Although a law passed by Congress in 1996 prevented those Hawaii residents from receivi… Continue Reading
May 11, 2013
First Steps to a Better Immigration Bill
by Editorial Board
In Saturday's New York Times, the paper's editorial board praised an immigration measure drafted by Senator Mazie K. Hirono and adopted by the Senate Judiciary Committee that would stop families from being torn apart at the border: Some good amendments passed, including one from Mazie Hirono, Democrat of Hawaii, that requires border agents to ask people they detain about spouses and children, and to consider family unity and safety when holding or repatriating anyone. You can read the entire S… Continue Reading
May 11, 2013
First Steps to a Better Immigration Bill
by Editorial Board
In Saturday's New York Times, the paper's editorial board praised an immigration measure drafted by Senator Mazie K. Hirono and adopted by the Senate Judiciary Committee that would stop families from being torn apart at the border: Some good amendments passed, including one from Mazie Hirono, Democrat of Hawaii, that requires border agents to ask people they detain about spouses and children, and to consider family unity and safety when holding or repatriating anyone. You can read the entire S… Continue Reading
May 09, 2013
Mazie Hirono gets personal
Among the 100 U.S. senators, there's just one who is a first-generation immigrant: Hawaii's Mazie Hirono (D), who was born in Japan and came to the U.S. with her mother when she was 8 years old. Hirono has spoken from a personal view during the immigration reform debate, noting that her mother brought her and her two brothers to Hawaii to flee their abusive father, who was an alcoholic. "She raised me and them by herself so we could have better lives in this country called America," Hirono sai… Continue Reading
May 09, 2013
Mazie Hirono gets personal
Among the 100 U.S. senators, there's just one who is a first-generation immigrant: Hawaii's Mazie Hirono (D), who was born in Japan and came to the U.S. with her mother when she was 8 years old. Hirono has spoken from a personal view during the immigration reform debate, noting that her mother brought her and her two brothers to Hawaii to flee their abusive father, who was an alcoholic. "She raised me and them by herself so we could have better lives in this country called America," Hirono sai… Continue Reading
May 09, 2013
A Science Laureate for the United States?
by David Malakoff
A bipartisan group of Congressional lawmakers wants the United States to have a Science Laureate. Senators Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Representatives Lamar Smith (R-TX) and Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) yesterday introduced legislation that would empower the president to select a "nationally renowned expert" who would "travel around the country to inspire future scientists," according to a statement released by Hirono's office. "Like the Poet Laureate, the Science Laureate would be an… Continue Reading
April 30, 2013
Don't shortchange immigrant families
by Editorial Board
In today's Honolulu Star-Advertiser, the paper's editorial board highlights Senator Mazie K. Hirono's fight for families as she works on immigration reform legislation: U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono has rightly expressed concern about the Senate version's intent to "mitigate the harm to families caused by eliminating the sibling category of visas and the provisions that affect immigrants' access to the country's safety net programs." She said her emigration as a young girl from Japan to Hawaii showed… Continue Reading
April 30, 2013
Don't shortchange immigrant families
by Editorial Board
In today's Honolulu Star-Advertiser, the paper's editorial board highlights Senator Mazie K. Hirono's fight for families as she works on immigration reform legislation: U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono has rightly expressed concern about the Senate version's intent to "mitigate the harm to families caused by eliminating the sibling category of visas and the provisions that affect immigrants' access to the country's safety net programs." She said her emigration as a young girl from Japan to Hawaii showed… Continue Reading
April 19, 2013
Hawaii opens more doors to Chinese visitors
by Stephanie Silverstein
Hawaii will increase its marketing to China in light of two recent actions that promise to make the Islands more accessible to Asia's largest economy. Hawaiian Airlines' announcement that it will launch nonstop flights between Honolulu and Beijing in April 2014 put Hawaii on notice that it can expect many more visitors from China within a year. Additionally, U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, introduced legislation in Congress that would allow Hong Kong to be eligible for the U.S. visa-waiver p… Continue Reading
April 18, 2013
Native Hawaiian Confirmed to Federal Judgeship
by Wendy Osher
The US Senate today confirmed Derrick Kahala Watson to serve as a judge for the US District Court for the District of Hawai'i. Watson becomes the sole native Hawaiian currently serving on the federal bench, and only the fourth in US history, according to Hawai'i's congressional delegation who commended the announced confirmation today. "Derrick Watson's confirmation today recognizes his eminent qualifications to serve Hawai'i and our nation from the federal bench," said US Senator Mazie Hirono… Continue Reading
April 12, 2013
Hale Kula keiki are engaged, motivated
by Jan Iwase
SCHOFIELD BARRACKS - Hale Kula Elementary School was the first stop for U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono on her tour, here, April 3. Earlier this year, Hirono announced the school would receive a $26.6 million Department of Defense facilities grant, and she wanted the opportunity to see the school, learn more about the upcoming project, and meet with parents and students. Hirono was joined by State Representative K. Mark Takai; Complex Area Superintendent, Dr. John Brummel; Col. Daniel Whitney, comma… Continue Reading
April 12, 2013
Hirono seeks visa waivers for Hong Kong visitors
by Erin Miller
Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, submitted a bill Thursday calling for federal officials to qualify Hong Kong for the visa waiver program to visit the United States. Hirono said about 4,000 people from Hong Kong visit Hawaii annually right now. "We know we could increase that tremendously," she added. Hong Kong residents can visit about 140 other countries and territories, including Guam, without first applying for a tourist visa, the senator said during a telephone press conference from Washingt… Continue Reading
April 05, 2013
Schofield Barracks receives distinguished guest
by By Sgt. Matthew Ryan, 25th Infantry Division
SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii - Students and faculty waited patiently with leis and warm welcomes at the front entrance of the Hale Kula Elementary School. The students were excited about the distinguished visitor. Then the car pulled up and out stepped U.S. Sen. Mazie K. Hirono, the first female senator of Hawaii, on her first official visit to the school. Hale Kula Elementary School principal Jan Iwase greeted Hirono as she stepped out of her vehicle at the school and presented her with a Kukui … Continue Reading
April 05, 2013
Schofield Barracks receives distinguished guest
by By Sgt. Matthew Ryan, 25th Infantry Division
SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii - Students and faculty waited patiently with leis and warm welcomes at the front entrance of the Hale Kula Elementary School. The students were excited about the distinguished visitor. Then the car pulled up and out stepped U.S. Sen. Mazie K. Hirono, the first female senator of Hawaii, on her first official visit to the school. Hale Kula Elementary School principal Jan Iwase greeted Hirono as she stepped out of her vehicle at the school and presented her with a Kukui … Continue Reading
March 25, 2013
Time to Strengthen Family Immigration
by Editorial Board
In today's New York Times, the paper's editorial board highlights Senator Mazie K. Hirono's fight to strengthen and preserve the family based immigration system and argues that immigration reform should aim to protect and unite families: Mazie Hirono, Democrat of Hawaii, who led the hearing, spoke movingly of her own experience immigrating to Honolulu as a young girl, and yet joined other witnesses in explaining how the system falls short: she noted that it treats women unequally - many who a… Continue Reading
March 25, 2013
Time to Strengthen Family Immigration
by Editorial Board
In today's New York Times, the paper's editorial board highlights Senator Mazie K. Hirono's fight to strengthen and preserve the family based immigration system and argues that immigration reform should aim to protect and unite families: Mazie Hirono, Democrat of Hawaii, who led the hearing, spoke movingly of her own experience immigrating to Honolulu as a young girl, and yet joined other witnesses in explaining how the system falls short: she noted that it treats women unequally - many who a… Continue Reading
March 18, 2013
Women’s issues take immigration reform spotlight
Women immigrants find themselves subject to abuse and lack of rights with little recourse, according to testimony from experts and activists who are urging national lawmakers to prioritize women in any comprehensive reform plan. The director for National Domestic Workers Alliance, Ai-jen Poo, told Congress that past immigration overhauls have focused solely on the economic needs of U.S. companies, to the detriment of the immigrants' rights. "Today women and children represent two-thirds of all… Continue Reading
