Press Releases
Hawaii Congressional Delegation Introduces Bill to Study Potential for a National Forest in Hawaii
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Mazie K. Hirono and Brian Schatz and Representatives Ed Case and Kai Kahele introduced legislation that directs the U.S. Forest Service to assess the potential for Hawaii lands to be declared a national forest, in partnership with local stakeholders from the state and community. Across the United States, more than 150 national forests receive federal funding to sustain healthy forests, conserve watersheds and wildlife habitats, reduce fire hazards, and provide commun… Continue Reading
February 23, 2021
Hirono Highlights Hawaii Priorities and Historic Nomination of Rep. Haaland for DOI Secretary in ENR Confirmation Hearing
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) highlighted issues she hopes to focus on with the Department of the Interior (DOI) during the first day of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee's hearing on the nomination of Representative Deb Haaland (D-N.M), President Biden's nominee for Secretary of the Interior. "I thank you for meeting with me a little while ago to discuss policy matters that are very important to me-and of course, the issues that relate to Hawaii's indige… Continue Reading
February 18, 2021
Hirono Announces Class of 2025 Nominees to the United States Service Academies
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) announced the nominations of Hawaii students to the U.S. military service academies for the Class of 2025. The academies now consider the students' applications for final selections. "These young people are dedicated to serving our nation in uniform after years of hard work, community engagement, academic excellence, a commitment to physical fitness and outstanding personal character. I am proud to nominate them to our nation's military serv… Continue Reading
February 17, 2021
Hirono to Chair Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) was appointed to chair the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower, which provides important oversight of the majority of U.S. Navy and Marine Corps programs, during the 117th Congress. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) will serve as Ranking Member. "As Chair of the Seapower Subcommittee, I look forward to partnering with Ranking Member Cramer and my colleagues on the subcommittee to sharpen the Navy and Marine Corps' readiness to meet ex… Continue Reading
February 10, 2021
Hirono Statement on the Nominations of Mayor Marty Walsh to Serve as Secretary of Labor and Julie Su to Serve as Deputy Secretary of Labor
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) issued the following statement after President Biden nominated Boston Mayor Marty Walsh to serve as Secretary of Labor and Julie Su to serve as Deputy Secretary of Labor: "Mayor Walsh will refocus the Department of Labor on improving the lives and welfare of workers across this nation. His deep roots with labor groups and ability to build bridges and reach consensus agreements will serve him and the Department well as they improve working co… Continue Reading
February 03, 2021
During SBA Administrator Confirmation Hearing, Hirono Calls for SBA to Provide Additional Support for Underserved Businesses in Response to Pandemic
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) questioned President Biden's nominee to be U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator, Isabel Guzman, during a U.S. Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee hearing today. "When I had a chance to talk with you, you made a commitment to make sure that underserved small businesses in particular would have adequate access-maybe more access at this point-to the $284 billion for PPP that Congress recently approved. Do you… Continue Reading
February 02, 2021
Hirono Calls for DOD to Focus on Public Shipyard Modernization, Sexual Harassment and Assault in Military During Confirmation Hearing for Deputy Secretary of Defense Nominee Dr. Kathleen Hicks
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) questioned President Biden's nominee to be Deputy Secretary of Defense, Dr. Kathleen Hicks, during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing today. "I view our shipyards as a national concern. I chatted with you about the importance of the four public shipyards-of which there is one in Hawaii. The modernization of these shipyards is a very important concern for a number of us, and I hope that I have your commitment that you will continue to… Continue Reading
February 02, 2021
Senator Hirono Renews Efforts to Award Fred Korematsu the Congressional Gold Medal
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Representative Mark Takano (D-Calif.) today introduced bicameral legislation to award Fred Korematsu the Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of his legacy of fighting against the illegal incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II and for being a staunch defender of civil rights. "A courageous leader who stood up for the rights of Japanese Americans illegally incarcerated during World War II, Fred Korematsu spent his life… Continue Reading
January 29, 2021
Hawaii to Receive Over $12 Million to Fight Homelessness on Oahu and Neighbor Islands
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) announced that Hawaii is set to receive $12,937,390 in grant funding through the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Continuum of Care Program for Fiscal Year 2020. This funding will be distributed to service providers across the state. "The coronavirus pandemic has made providing services to those experiencing homelessness more challenging and costly. This funding will provide vital support to organizations across Hawaii as they w… Continue Reading
January 29, 2021
Senator Hirono Meets with Isabel Guzman, Nominee for SBA Administrator
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) met yesterday with Isabel Guzman, President Biden's nominee for Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator. Senator Hirono serves on the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, which will consider Ms. Guzman's nomination. The Senator and Ms. Guzman discussed a variety of priorities for Hawaii and our nation during their meeting. The Senator and Ms. Guzman discussed the need to make sure SBA's coronavirus relief programs … Continue Reading
January 28, 2021
Senator Hirono Meets with Judge Merrick Garland, Expresses Her Support for His Nomination to Serve as Next Attorney General
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In a virtual meeting today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, expressed her support for Judge Merrick Garland's nomination to serve as the next Attorney General of the United States. During their meeting, Senator Hirono and Judge Garland strongly agreed on the need to restore the independence of the Department of Justice (DOJ) after four years during which the Trump administration politicized the Department's work for the President's persona… Continue Reading
January 25, 2021
Commerce IG to Review Hirono-led Request to Investigate Climate Denialism Propaganda Pushed by Trump Appointees at NOAA
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), along with her colleagues Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), wrote to the Department of Commerce Inspector General (IG), seeking an investigation into the publication of documents falsely denying the existence of climate change. Following the lawmakers' letter, the Commerce IG announced that the IG has "decided to review this matter further." In their Jan… Continue Reading
January 20, 2021
Hirono Statement on President Biden’s Immigration Executive Actions and Comprehensive Immigration Reform Proposal
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement on President Biden's executive actions on immigration and his comprehensive immigration reform proposal: "Through some of his first actions as President, Joe Biden has demonstrated that his immigration policies will represent a meaningful departure from the mindless cruelty of the Trump administration. President Biden's commitment to advocating for immigrant communit… Continue Reading
January 19, 2021
Hirono Calls for DOD to Address Violence Against Women, Sexual Assault and Harassment in the Military During Confirmation Hearing for Secretary of Defense
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) questioned President-elect Joe Biden's nominee for Secretary of Defense, retired General Lloyd Austin, during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing today. The Senator pressed General Austin about his plans to address the scourge of sexual assault and harassment in the military, and how he plans to hold those who commit violence against women accountable, sharing the story of Selena Roth, a 25-year-old Army veteran and military wife who wa… Continue Reading
January 08, 2021
Senator Hirono Meets with Former Governor Jennifer Granholm, Nominee for Energy Secretary
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Yesterday, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) met with President-elect Biden's nominee for Secretary of Energy, former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm. Senator Hirono is a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, which will consider Governor Granholm's nomination. After briefly discussing the alarming invasion of the Capitol, they discussed some of Governor Granholm's priorities if she is confirmed as Secretary of Energy. Governor Granholm applauded Ha… Continue Reading
January 07, 2021
Hirono Statement on the Nominations of Judge Merrick Garland to Serve as Attorney General and Other Key Positions for the Justice Department
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) issued the following statement after President-elect Joe Biden announced the nominations of Judge Merrick Garland to serve as Attorney General, Lisa Monaco to serve as Deputy Attorney General, Vanita Gupta to serve as Associate Attorney General, and Kristen Clarke to serve as Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division in the Department of Justice (DOJ): "With the nominations of four DOJ veterans with strong … Continue Reading
January 06, 2021
Senator Hirono Meets with Congresswoman Deb Haaland, Nominee for Interior Secretary
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, which has jurisdiction over the confirmation of the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) Secretary, met today with President-elect Biden's nominee, Congresswoman Deb Haaland. Senator Hirono and Rep. Haaland discussed a number of shared priorities for Hawaii and our country. Senator Hirono congratulated Rep. Haaland on her historic nomination. If confirmed, Rep. Haaland would be… Continue Reading
January 05, 2021
Hirono, Ernst Bill Signed Into Law, Permanently Establishes Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative Act in Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), and Representatives Veronica Escobar (D-Texas) and Van Taylor (R-Texas), announced that their bipartisan, bicameral legislation to permanently establish the Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative (SVI) inside the Justice Department (DOJ)'s Civil Rights Division was signed into law today. Since 2015, the SVI has coordinated and expanded DOJ's work to enforce statutes created to protect the legal interests and rights … Continue Reading
December 28, 2020
Emergency Coronavirus Spending Bill Signed Into Law Includes Hirono-Backed Education Priorities
HONOLULU - Senator Mazie K. Hirono successfully advocated for education programs in the emergency coronavirus relief bill that will support K-12 schools, colleges and universities, and early childhood programs as they respond to COVID-19. The bill also includes provisions from Senator Hirono's Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act to strengthen and expand the federal Pell Grant program and improve financial aid for students. "Students and educators in Hawaii and elsewhere need support as th… Continue Reading
December 22, 2020
Hirono Bill to Help VA Home Loan Recipients Rebuild After Natural Disasters Sent to President
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono, a member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, announced she secured a provision from her Veteran Home Loan Disaster Recovery Act in the recently-passed Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act. The legislation now heads to President Trump's desk. The Veteran Home Loan Disaster Recovery Act was inspired by Tam Hunt, a Hawaii Island Army veteran and one of Senator Hirono's constituents, who faced chal… Continue Reading
