Press Releases
Hirono Welcomes Approval of Individual Assistance for Hawaii Island Residents Affected by Ongoing Kilauea Eruption
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) issued the following statement following President Trump's decision to amend the federal disaster declaration for Hawaii Island to include Individual Assistance for residents and households affected by the ongoing Kilauea eruption. The approval of Individual Assistance makes additional federal resources available for affected communities. "The swift approval of the State's application for Individual Assistance unlocks much needed resources f… Continue Reading
June 14, 2018
Hawaii Congressional Delegation Urges President To Approve Individual Assistance for Hawaii island Residents
WASHINGTON - Today, Hawaii's Congressional Delegation urged President Donald Trump to act swiftly on Governor David Ige's request for individual assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for Hawaii Island residents whose homes have been lost or damaged due to the ongoing Kilauea Volcano eruptions. FEMA's individual assistance programs will help affected residents access critical federal funding and resources to recover."Based on the severity of the damage that has occurred s… Continue Reading
June 14, 2018
Hirono: Admiral Harry Harris Will Serve Our Country Well as Ambassador to South Korea
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono introduced Admiral (Ret.) Harry Harris during today's Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on his nomination to serve as U.S. Ambassador to South Korea. Admiral Harris previously served as the Commander of U.S. Pacific Command and the U.S. Pacific Fleet. From Senator Hirono's remarks: "I first met Admiral Harris just before he assumed command of the U.S. Pacific Fleet in October 2013. Over the past five years, I've gotten to know Admiral Harris … Continue Reading
June 14, 2018
Senate Unanimously Passes Hirono Resolution Honoring Coral Reef Task Force
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Senate passed Senator Mazie K. Hirono's bipartisan resolution celebrating the 20th anniversary of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force, which brings together stakeholders from Hawaii and other coastal states and territories as well as twelve Federal agencies to build partnerships and support for coral reef conservation. "Coral reefs in Hawaii and across the world continue to be endangered by climate change and manmade pollution," Senator Hirono said. "The U.S. Coral Reef T… Continue Reading
June 13, 2018
Fifth Annual Taste of Hawaii on Capitol Hill Sets New Record for Attendance, Business Participation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono and the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii celebrated the success of over 70 participating Hawaii businesses at the Fifth Annual Taste of Hawaii on Capitol Hill this evening. More than 2,000 attendees were greeted with fresh orchid lei, and learned about an array of Hawaii businesses representing technology, agriculture, and transportation. "Every year, more and more people and businesses participate in Hawaii on the Hill because they make meaningful connectio… Continue Reading
June 13, 2018
Hirono, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii Connect Hawaii Businesses with Congressional Leaders, Administration Officials, and National Policy Experts
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) and the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii today welcomed more than 100 members of Hawaii's business community to Capitol Hill for the Fifth Annual Hawaii on the Hill Policy Summit. Hawaii business leaders representing a full range of industries - from hospitality, manufacturing, health care, transportation, and education - participated in the event. "We started Hawaii on the Hill five years ago to give Hawaii businesses direct access to federal dec… Continue Reading
June 12, 2018
Hirono Announces More than $10 Million in Federal Funding for Hawaii Community Health Centers
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) announced today that Community Health Centers across Hawaii will receive more than $10 million in funding from the Department of Health and Human Services to support the ongoing delivery of health care services to rural and underserved communities across the state. The health centers receiving funding include Kalihi-Palama Health Center, Lanai Community Health Center, Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, West Hawaii Community Health Cen… Continue Reading
June 10, 2018
Hirono Honors Senator Akaka, Denounces Attacks on Native Hawaiian Community at 49th Annual Kamehameha Day Lei Draping
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) joined members of Hawaii's Congressional Delegation and the Hawaii State Society to honor Senator Daniel K. Akaka during the 49th Annual Kamehameha Day Lei Draping in Emancipation Hall of the U.S. Capitol. During her remarks, Senator Hirono paid tribute to Senator Akaka's work in Congress on behalf of the Native Hawaiian community and denounced the ongoing attacks by Congressional Republicans on critical Native Hawaiian programs. From Senat… Continue Reading
June 05, 2018
Hirono, Deutch Renew Effort to Strengthen and Expand Social Security
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Representative Ted Deutch (D-FL) renewed their call for Congress to strengthen and improve the Social Security program. Earlier today, the Social Security Administration (SSA) released its annual Trustees Report, which indicated that while the program remained strong in 2017, improvements should be made to ensure that full costs and benefits are payable into the foreseeable future and beyond. "Social Security continues to serve as the corner… Continue Reading
May 31, 2018
Hirono Calls for Expansion of Renewable Energy Projects at Schofield Power Plant Dedication
HONOLULU- Senator Mazie K. Hirono participated in the commemoration of operations ceremony for the Schofield Barracks multi-fuel power plant and highlighted how this facility serves as an example for future Department of Defense energy projects. Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) will operate the 50-megawatt power plant, which will serve three Army installations on Oahu and neighboring communities. "The Schofield Generating Station can and should be a model for the rest of the country, particular… Continue Reading
May 31, 2018
Hirono Announces $119,000 Federal Grant to Research Kilauea Eruption
HONOLULU- Senator Mazie K. Hirono announced that the University of Hawaii will receive a $119,821 grant to study the ongoing volcanic activity on Hawaii Island. The project, RAPID: Tracking magmatic and volcanic changes in the May 2018 Kilauea Eruption, seeks to inform why the current volcanic activity is occurring and help to predict future eruption activity. "Scientific data has been critical to tracking the volcanic activity on Hawaii Island to minimize the threat to Puna families," Senator … Continue Reading
May 30, 2018
Hirono Attends INDOPACOM Change of Command, Advocates for Whole of Government Approach to National Security in the Region
HONOLULU - Senator Mazie K. Hirono, the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Seapower Subcommittee, attended the official change of command ceremony for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) today at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. The ceremony marked the formal transition from outgoing Commander Admiral Harry B. Harris to incoming Commander Admiral Philip S. Davidson. INDOPACOM is the military's largest combatant command, with an area of responsibility covering more than half the world's… Continue Reading
May 29, 2018
Hirono Visits Oahu Small Businesses Participating in Fifth Annual Hawaii on the Hill
HONOLULU - Senator Mazie K. Hirono and Chamber of Commerce Hawaii President & CEO Sherry Menor-McNamara visited local businesses on Oahu who will participate in the Fifth Annual Hawaii on the Hill. The event, which includes the Hawaii on the Hill Policy Summit and the highly-anticipated Taste of Hawaii on Capitol Hill, will take place on June 12-13. Senator Hirono visited Taro Brand, Hawaii Coffee Co., Diamond Bakery, and Meadow Gold. "In its fifth year, Hawaii on the Hill has attracted a … Continue Reading
May 29, 2018
Hirono Honors Fallen Service Members and their Families on Memorial Day
HONOLULU - Senator Mazie K. Hirono joined Gold Star families, veterans, active duty military personnel, and local elected officials to pay tribute to fallen American service members on Memorial Day. Senator Hirono spoke during the Mayor's Memorial Day Ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl and attended the Governor's Memorial Day Ceremony at Hawaii State Veterans' Cemetery at Kaneohe. In her remarks at Punchbowl, Senator Hirono honored Brian Kong and Donald Marsh… Continue Reading
May 25, 2018
Hirono Introduces Resolution Recognizing Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Senator Mazie K. Hirono and a bipartisan group of 21 Senators introduced a resolution recognizing the importance of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and recognizing the contributions of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. "Each May, we come together to celebrate the contributions of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities in Hawaii and across the country,"Senator Hirono said. "However, Asian Pacific American Heritage Mon… Continue Reading
May 24, 2018
Hirono Secures Hawaii Priorities in National Defense Authorization Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono successfully included several provisions that will benefit Hawaii in the FY2019 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 was approved by Senator Hirono and others members of the Senate Armed Services Committee on a 25-2 vote, making it available for consideration by the full Senate. "This year's National Defense … Continue Reading
May 23, 2018
Hirono Supports Comprehensive Legislation to Improve Health Care for Hawaii Veterans
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono voted for S. 2372, the John S. McCain III, Daniel K. Akaka, and Samuel R. Johnson VA Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks (MISSION) Act today, comprehensive legislation that strengthens the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system while reforming programs that provide veterans access to care closer to home when necessary. The bill passed the Senate 92-5. "Our veterans deserve a strong VA system that p… Continue Reading
May 20, 2018
Hirono Visits Volcano-Impacted Communities on Hawaii Island
HILO- Senator Mazie K. Hirono visited with Hawaii Island residents who have been displaced by volcanic activity in lower Puna. Senator Hirono received a briefing at Emergency Operations Center in Hilo from Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim, the Hawaii Volcanoes Observatory, the Hawaii National Guard, Hawaii County Civil Defense, Federal Aviation Administration, and other federal, state, and county agencies who are coordinating response efforts. "While Puna continues to face significant challenges,… Continue Reading
May 17, 2018
Senate Passes Hirono Bill to Strengthen Volcano Monitoring Capabilities
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Mazie K. Hirono, Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) secured the passage of S. 346, the National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring System Act. This legislation improves the nation's volcano monitoring and early warning capabilities to help keep communities and travelers safe. "Scientists at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory are working around the clock to provide critical, up-to-date information to keep Hawaii Island residents safe," Senator Hir… Continue Reading
May 16, 2018
Ahead of Key Vote, Hirono Highlights Importance of Net Neutrality to Local Media
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Ahead of the successful Senate vote to restore net neutrality rules, Senator Mazie K. Hirono emphasized the importance of a free and open internet to local media. Senator Hirono highlighted how the Trump administration's plan to undermine net neutrality protections could make it more difficult and expensive for local news outlets to disseminate information. The resolution to restore Obama-era net neutrality rules passed the Senate 52-47. "During the flooding on Kauai and Oahu… Continue Reading
