Press Releases
Hirono, Young Lead Bipartisan, Bicameral Letter Urging DHS to Eliminate Unnecessary Barriers for FAS Citizens to Obtain REAL ID-Compliant Identification
WASHINGTON, D.C. -Last week, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), Representative Don Young (R-Alaska), and ten of their colleagues sent a letter to Mark Koumans, the former Acting Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and Chad Wolf, the Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Under Secretary at the Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans, to express their concern regarding the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) recent guidance implementing the REAL ID Act Modifica… Continue Reading
June 09, 2019
Hirono Honors King Kamehameha I, Highlights Importance of Hawaiian Language at 50th Annual Kamehameha Day Lei Draping
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) joined members of Hawaii's Congressional Delegation and the Hawaii State Society to celebrate and honor King Kamehameha I at the 50th Annual Kamehameha Day Lei Draping in Emancipation Hall of the U.S. Capitol. In her remarks, Senator Hirono reflected on this year's theme - Olelo Hawaii - and highlighted the important role the Hawaiian language plays in preserving and perpetuating the Hawaiian culture. Senator Hirono also discussed the… Continue Reading
June 07, 2019
Senator Hirono Announces Over $3.8 Million from NOAA for Hawaii Sea Grant Program, National Coastal Zone Management Program
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) announced today that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) awarded over $3.8 million in federal funding to projects that support ongoing coastal and marine research, extension, and educational outreach in Hawaii. NOAA awarded funding through two separate programs - the Sea Grant College Program, which provides funding to the University of Hawaii's Sea Grant Program (Hawaii Sea Grant), and the National Coastal Zone Managem… Continue Reading
June 06, 2019
Senators Hirono, Shaheen, Menendez, and Carper Introduce Legislation to Maintain United States’ Commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), and 40 of their U.S. Senate colleagues introduced legislation that would prevent the U.S. from withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement. The International Climate Accountability Act would also require the President to provide a plan to describe how the U.S. would meet its nationally determined contribution to the Paris Climate Agreement and honor its commitment to comb… Continue Reading
June 04, 2019
Hirono: “Hawaii is on the Leading Edge of Incorporating Renewable Power and Energy Storage”
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) highlighted the efforts of Kauai Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC) and Hawaiian Electric to deploy renewable energy plus storage facilities across the state at a Senate Energy and Natural Reurces Committee hearing on energy storage today. Senator Hirono also spoke about her visit to the Lawai Solar Energy Plus Storage Facility on Kauai in April. Currently the largest solar generation plus storage project in the world, the Lawai facility gener… Continue Reading
May 31, 2019
Senator Hirono Introduces Resolution to Honor Patsy T. Mink
HONOLULU - Last week, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), along with twenty of her U.S. Senate colleagues, introduced a resolution to commemorate the life and legacy of Representative Patsy Takemoto Mink, who served in the U.S. House of Representatives for 12 terms. November 3, 2019 will mark the 55th anniversary of Rep. Mink's election to Congress. All seventeen Democratic women senators have signed onto the resolution. "My friend Patsy Mink was a champion for social and economic justice, equ… Continue Reading
May 30, 2019
Senator Hirono Leads Resolution to Recognize May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Last week, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), along with 22 of her U.S. Senate colleagues, introduced a resolution recognizing the significance of Asian Pacific American (APA) Heritage Month and the contributions of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. "APA Heritage Month is an opportunity to recognize the cultures, the trailblazers, and stories of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities in Hawaii and across the country," Se… Continue Reading
May 30, 2019
Following Meeting with USGS Director, Hirono Announces that Hawaiian Volcano Observatory will Remain Anchored on Hawaii Island
HONOLULU - Following a meeting with Dr. Jim Reilly, Director of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Senator Mazie K. Hirono announced that USGS has committed to keeping the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) on Hawaii Island. "The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is an integral part of the Hawaii Island community, as we saw when HVO scientists worked around the clock with first responders to provide critical information during last year's volcanic activity," Senator Hirono said. "It just makes sense… Continue Reading
May 24, 2019
Hirono Secures Hawaii Priorities in Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) fought successfully to include critical priorities for Hawaii in the FY2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The bill, which sets policy and funding levels for the Department of Defense and the national security programs of the Department of Energy, passed the Senate Armed Services Committee on a 25-2 vote. The full Senate will consider the legislation later this year. "This year's NDAA invests in Hawaii's economy, enhances our mil… Continue Reading
May 23, 2019
Hirono Secures Critical Funding and Resources for Hawaii in Senate-Passed Disaster Supplemental Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) successfully secured a number of provisions in the Bipartisan Disaster Supplemental Bill to assist individuals and communities in Hawaii impacted by natural disasters in 2018. The $19.1 billion measure passed the Senate on an 85-8 vote. "Last year's natural disasters seriously impacted thousands of Hawaii residents, and they have been waiting too long to receive federal assistance as they recover," Senator Hirono said. "This legislation wil… Continue Reading
May 22, 2019
Senators Hirono, Blunt, Collins, Klobuchar Introduce Adoptee Citizenship Act of 2019
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Yesterday, Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) introduced the Adoptee Citizenship Act of 2019 - a bipartisan legislation to close a loophole in the Child Citizenship Act of 2000 that prevented internationally-adopted children from receiving U.S. citizenship despite being legally adopted by U.S. citizens. "Due to a loophole in the Child Citizenship Act, thousands of internationally-adopted children, who w… Continue Reading
May 22, 2019
Hirono, Case, Murkowski, Young Reintroduce Bicameral Legislation to Reunite Filipino World War II Veterans with Their Families
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) introduced the Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act, a bill that would expedite the visa process for children of Filipino World War II veterans. Representatives Ed Case (D-Hawaii) and Don Young (R-Alaska) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives. "During World War II, Filipino soldiers stepped up and answered the call to service, fighting and sacrificing alongside Ameri… Continue Reading
May 17, 2019
Senators Hirono and Booker Lead in Introducing Legislation to Improve Sexual Health Education for Marginalized Youth
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.), along with six of their U.S. Senate colleagues, introduced the Youth Access to Sexual Health Services (YASHS) Act. The YASHS Act would authorize the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award grants that support access to sexual health services for marginalized youths, including medically accurate and complete, age, developmentally, and culturally appropriate sexual health information. Repres… Continue Reading
May 16, 2019
Senators Hirono, Menendez Lead Colleagues in Demanding Facebook do More to Block Gun Sales
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Earlier this month, Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), and eight of their U.S. Senate colleagues sent a letter to Facebook to demand the social media giant do more to block gun sales facilitated on its social media enterprises, Facebook and Instagram. In their letter to Facebook Chairman and CEO Mark Zuckerberg, the Senators asked for clarification and guidance from the company about its gun sales policies and how Facebook polices its own ban on gun sa… Continue Reading
May 15, 2019
Senator Hirono Urges Action Over Reports of FAS Citizens Denied REAL ID Act-Compliant Documents
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) sent a letter to Lee Francis Cissna, the Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and Chad Wolf, the Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Under Secretary at the Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans, and urged them to take immediate action following recent reports of citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau (the Freely Associated States… Continue Reading
May 15, 2019
Senator Hirono Announces Nearly $2.5 Million in Funding to the UH West Oahu
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) announced that University of Hawaii West Oahu (UHWO) will receive nearly $2.5 million in support from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to improve college readiness and success for Native Hawaiian high school and college students, and provide them with STEM learning opportunities through UHWO's summer bridge programs. "This NSF grant funding is a step in the right direction in providing our keiki with opportunities to participate … Continue Reading
May 09, 2019
Senators Hirono, Merkley Introduce Legislation to Study Impacts of Popular Sunscreen Chemicals
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Yesterday, Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) introduced legislation to better inform the public about the effects that sunscreen chemicals have on coral reefs around the world. The Oxybenzone and Octinoxate Impact Study Act of 2019 would require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to study the impacts of oxybenzone and octinoxate, two key chemicals found in sunscreen, on human health and the environment. "In Hawaii, we understand that our way… Continue Reading
May 08, 2019
Senator Hirono Demands Answers, Action Following Deadly Helicopter Crash on Oahu
WASHINGTON, D.C. - On Tuesday, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) sent letters to Robert L. Sumwalt, Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and Dan Elwell, the Acting Administrator at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), over safety concerns following a deadly helicopter crash last week in a residential area of Kailua, Oahu. On the morning of April 29, 2019, an air tour helicopter operated by Novictor Helicopters crashed on Oneawa Street in Kailua, resulting in the d… Continue Reading
May 07, 2019
Senators Hirono, Durbin Introduce Legislation to Protect Americans from Unwanted Robocalls
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Last week, Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), along with U.S. Senators Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Tina Smith (D-Minn.), introduced the Protecting American Consumers from Robocalls Act. The bill would help end illegal robocalls in America "Robocalls have become an epidemic in this country, with Americans receiving an estimated 48 million robocalls last year alone. A recent study found people receive an… Continue Reading
May 03, 2019
Senator Hirono Applauds Patent and Trademark Office’s Decision to Extend Telework Program to Hawaii, Alaska
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) welcomed the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's (PTO's) announcement that it had extended its full-time telework program, the Telework Enhancement Act Pilot Program (TEAPP), to Hawaii and Alaska. The decision to extend TEAPP follows Senator Hirono's questioning of PTO Director Andrei Iancu during a March 13, 2019 hearing of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Intellectual Property about why Hawaii was excluded from th… Continue Reading
