Press Releases
Hawaii to Receive $2 Million in Funding to Support Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment During the Coronavirus Pandemic
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono announced today that the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division of the Hawaii State Department of Health received $2 million in emergency grant funding from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to expand and strengthen access to substance abuse and mental health treatment. "The stresses of the coronavirus pandemic are driving additional demand for mental health and substance abuse treatment in Hawaii and across the country," Sena… Continue Reading
April 20, 2020
Senator Hirono, Rep. Chu, and 100+ Colleagues Call on Congressional Leaders to Ensure Immigrant Families Can Access Critical Services During Coronavirus Pandemic
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Representative Judy Chu (D-Calif.) led 28 Senators and 76 Members of the House of Representatives in writing to members of Congressional leadership to call for an inclusive coronavirus relief package that ensures that urgently-needed coronavirus testing and medical care and relief benefits are accessible by all communities, regardless of limited English proficiency or immigration status. In their letter, the Members of Congress highlighte… Continue Reading
April 16, 2020
As More Americans Are Homebound During Pandemic, Hirono and Democratic Colleagues Call for Additional Funding of Lifeline Program to Boost Internet Connectivity
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and 25 of their colleagues urged Senate and House leadership to include at least $1 billion for the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Lifeline program in future coronavirus relief packages. The Lifeline program extends access to internet and television services to low-income Americans for free or at a reduced cost. The Senators sent this letter as tens of millions of Americans are sheltering in … Continue Reading
April 15, 2020
Hirono, Bipartisan Group of Senators Call on USDA to Assist Local Farmers During Coronavirus Pandemic
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), along with Senators Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), sent a bipartisan letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) asking Secretary Sonny Perdue to set aside a portion of the $9.5 billion provided to the USDA in the third coronavirus relief package to support local farmers that sell directly to schools, consumers, institutions, retail markets, farmers markets, restaurants, food hubs, a… Continue Reading
April 14, 2020
Hirono, Booker, Hassan Call on Domain Name Gatekeepers to Combat Coronavirus-Related Scams and Misinformation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) called on the leaders of eight domain name registrars and hosting sites to combat scams and misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Senators asked the executives of GoDaddy, Dynadot, Donuts Inc., Namecheap Inc., Web.com, Endurance International Group, InMotion Hosting, and DreamHost to explain the steps their companies are taking to combat misinformation about the coronavirus pandem… Continue Reading
April 13, 2020
Hirono, Wyden, Schumer, Senate Democrats: Workers Must Receive Unemployment Benefits
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) joined Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and 31 of their Democratic colleagues to urge the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to ensure that workers who Congress intended to allow access to the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program receive the benefits they deserve. The Senators sent this letter after the DOL issued new guidance for the program, seeking the DOL … Continue Reading
April 10, 2020
Hirono, Hassan, 13 Senate Colleagues to Trump: Protect Americans from Counterfeit Personal Protective Equipment, Price Gouging
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) signed onto a letter that Senator Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) and 13 of their Senate colleagues sent to President Trump, calling on him to intervene in the production of counterfeit personal protective equipment and price gouging on essential medical goods. The letter calls for a clear and comprehensive national plan to produce and distribute medical supplies across the country. The Senators also call on President Trump to instruct law enforceme… Continue Reading
April 10, 2020
Senator Hirono Statement on Additional Funding for the Paycheck Protection Program
WASHINGTON, D.C. -Senator Mazie K. Hirono issued the following statement about providing additional funding for the Paycheck Protection Program: "Small businesses I've heard from in Hawaii appreciate the action by the federal government to provide relief, but now find themselves frustrated by the confusing rollout of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Congress enacted the program to support businesses during the current pandemic so the last thing we need is more uncertainty for our small bu… Continue Reading
April 09, 2020
Hirono, Senate Colleagues Demand Administration Protect Transit Workers with Personal Protective Equipment, Clear Safety Guidelines
Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) signed onto a letter that Senator Gary Peters (D-Mich.) led, urging the Trump Administration to establish strong public health practices for transit agencies and provide frontline transit workers with personal protective equipment (PPE). The letter was also signed by 19 of their Senate colleagues. It highlights Detroit bus driver Jason Hargrove's death from COVID-19 after he took to social media to criticize a passenger on his bus who did not cover their mouth… Continue Reading
April 09, 2020
Senator Hirono Statement on Irene Hirano Inouye
WASHINGTON, D.C. -Senator Mazie K. Hirono issued the following statement on the passing of Irene Hirano Inouye: "My thoughts go out to the Yasutake and Inouye ohana today as we mourn the passing of Irene Hirano Inouye. Irene's passion for serving her community on the local, national and international levels was profoundly evident in her life's work. From her service as the President and founding CEO of the Japanese American National Museum, chair of the Ford and Kresge Foundations, to President… Continue Reading
April 08, 2020
Hirono Joins Call to Support Local Journalism During Coronavirus Pandemic
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) joined Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and 17 other Senators to call for funding to support local journalists and media in future COVID-19 relief packages. The letter, sent to Senate leadership, cautions of the already widespread devastation of the coronavirus pandemic on local and regional news outlets who are experiencing sinking advertising revenue while public demand and reliance on local reporting are increasing during the … Continue Reading
April 07, 2020
Hirono Announces Over $10 Million for Community Health Centers in Hawaii to Respond to Coronavirus Pandemic
ASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) announced that community health centers across Hawaii will receive over $10 million in additional funding to respond to, prevent, diagnose, and treat COVID-19. The funds are available as part of the CARES Act, the third coronavirus relief package Congress recently passed. Community health centers in Hawaii also received about $1 million in funding in the first coronavirus relief package. "Our community health centers continue to meet t… Continue Reading
April 07, 2020
Hirono, Durbin, Harris, Menendez to Facebook: Shut Down WhatsApp Spread of Coronavirus Misinformation
WASHINGTON, D.C. -Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Senator Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), and Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) sent a letter calling on Facebook to stop the spread of misinformation about the COVID-19 pandemic on WhatsApp. The Senators sent their letter after widespread reports of dangerous false information about the coronavirus circulating among the two billion WhatsApp users worldwide. "On January 30, Facebook announced that it would … Continue Reading
April 06, 2020
Hawaii Delegation to USDA and SBA: Small Agricultural Producers Need Your Coordination in Response to Coronavirus
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and Representatives Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) and Ed Case (D-Hawaii) wrote to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Jovita Carranza to request their coordinated assistance for Hawaii's small agricultural producers. The Hawaii delegation sent this letter in response to hearing frustrations from agricultural producers in naviga… Continue Reading
April 03, 2020
Hirono, Harris, Chu, Grijalva, Correa Introduce Legislation to Provide Critical Assistance to Vulnerable Communities Impacted by COVID-19
Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) and Representatives Judy Chu (D-Calif.), Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.), and Lou Correa (D-Calif.) unveiled new legislation to ensure that everyone in our country - especially vulnerable communities - can access health care and other critical resources during the coronavirus pandemic. The Coronavirus Immigrant Families Protection Act would, among other provisions, help ensure that all communities are able to access COVID-19 testing and t… Continue Reading
April 02, 2020
Hawaii to Receive $107 Million for State Transit Coronavirus Response
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) announced that Hawaii will receive more than $107 million in Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grants to respond to the coronavirus pandemic. These funds are distributed out of the third coronavirus relief package Congress passed last week. The grants support urban and rural transit service. The grants will help transportation providers respond to the COVID-19 pandemic by providing funds for operational expenses during this time of… Continue Reading
April 02, 2020
Hirono Announces $12 Million in HUD Grants for Hawaii Coronavirus Response and Recovery
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) announced that Hawaii has received more than $12 million in Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grants to address the critical housing needs of Hawaii residents during the coronavirus pandemic. These funds come from the third coronavirus relief package Congress passed last week. The grants include Community Development Block Grants, Emergency Solutions Grants, and grants through the Housing Opportunities for Persons with… Continue Reading
April 01, 2020
Hirono Statement on Approval of Federal Disaster Declaration for State of Hawaii
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) issued the following statement after President Trump granted a Major Disaster Declaration for the State of Hawaii. This declaration will trigger the release of additional federal funds to help Hawaii recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. "Combating the coronavirus pandemic will require us to marshal resources at the federal, state, and county level. Today's approval of the federal disaster declaration will unlock crucial federal resources to a… Continue Reading
April 01, 2020
Hawaii to Receive $5.5 Million to Support State and County Law Enforcement Response to Coronavirus Pandemic
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) announced today that Hawaii will receive $5.5 million in funding under the Byrne-Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program to support state and county law officials as they combat the coronavirus outbreak. Congress passed an increase in JAG grant funding as part of the third coronavirus relief package to help police officers and other first responders who are at an increased risk of contracting COVID-19 as they combat the coronavirus outbreak. … Continue Reading
March 31, 2020
Hirono Joins Klobuchar, Moran, and 31 Other Senators to Call for Federal Trade Commission to Protect Seniors from Coronavirus-related Scams
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Following reports of coronavirus-related scams targeting seniors, Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), along with 31 of their colleagues called upon Federal Trade Commission Chairman Joseph Simons to boost consumer protection for seniors and take more measures to better inform them about these scams. The Senators cite reports that, during this time of heightened public fears, scammers are targeting seniors with fake coronavir… Continue Reading
