Press Releases
Additional Hirono Amendments Included in Senate-Passed NDAA
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Senator Mazie K. Hirono, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, added provisions to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that direct the Department of Defense to evaluate additional steps that can be taken to protect Hawaii and the Indo-Asia-Pacific region from growing threats, including recent actions taken by North Korea. The bill, which sets policy and funding levels for the Department of Defense and the national security programs of the Department of Ener… Continue Reading
September 15, 2017
Hirono: New Japan Airlines Flight from Tokyo to Kona Further Strengthens Hawaii Island Economy
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono applauded the reestablishment of Japan Airlines' direct service from Narita International Airport in Tokyo to Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport following a seven year hiatus. Renewed service from Tokyo to Kona, which began today, will further strengthen Hawaii Island's visitor industry and economy. "I welcome the return of Japan Airlines to Kona. Hawaii's deep ties with Japan and today's flight helps to grow our state's visitor industry and ec… Continue Reading
September 15, 2017
Hirono Continues to Support Programs that Enhance Access and Preservation of Native Hawaiian Culture
Washington, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) announced today that Hawaii organizations will receive more than $500,000 in Native Hawaiian Library Services grant funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to enhance access to Native Hawaiian language and cultural resources. "By increasing access to Native Hawaiian manuscripts and historic materials, the projects supported by this grant will help to preserve Native Hawaiian traditions and culture," said Senator Hiro… Continue Reading
September 15, 2017
Hirono, Murray, Introduce Bill to Increase Access to Affordable, High-Quality Child Care
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Mazie K. Hirono and Patty Murray (D-Wash.) introduced legislation to expand access to affordable child care for Hawaii families. "For many of Hawaii's working parents, child care has become unaffordable -exceeding other household costs and expenses and eating into their hard-earned income," said Senator Hirono. "This legislation represents a long-term investment in our keiki to ensure that every family has access to high-quality early learning and child care programs… Continue Reading
September 14, 2017
Hirono & Gabbard Announce Presentation of Congressional Gold Medal to Filipino World War II Veterans Scheduled for October 25
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Senator Mazie K. Hirono and Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard announced that Congress will honor Filipino World War II veterans with its highest civilian honor, the Congressional Gold Medal, at a ceremony in the U.S. Capitol on October 25. The ceremony is a result of Senator Hirono and Congresswoman Gabbard's bill to honor the over 260,000 Filipino and Filipino-American soldiers who fought in the Pacific Theater. "The presentation of the Congressional Gold Medal to our Filipino Wor… Continue Reading
September 14, 2017
Hirono Announces Over $2.8 Million to Enhance Ocean Monitoring, Protect Coastal Communities
Washington, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) today announced that the University of Hawaii's Pacific Island Ocean Observing System (PacIOOS) will receive over $2.8 million in National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) funding to develop and enhance forecasting and modeling tools that promote resiliency and sustainability throughout Hawaii's coastal communities. "Hawaii is seeing firsthand the effects of climate change and coastal erosion," said Senator Hirono. "By improving… Continue Reading
September 13, 2017
In Wake of DeVos Announcement, Hirono Leads Efforts to Support Survivors of Sexual Assault on College Campuses
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) introduced legislation to help provide support for survivors of sexual assault on college campuses. The Survivor Outreach and Support on Campus Act (S.O.S. Campus Act) would require colleges and universities to ensure that an independent advocate is available to support survivors of sexual assault on every campus. Last week, Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced a controversial decision to re-examine Obama-era ca… Continue Reading
September 12, 2017
In Meeting with Navy Secretary, Chief of Naval Operations, Hirono Emphasizes Need for Answers, Accountability
WASHINGTON, D.C. -Senator Mazie K. Hirono pressed Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer and Chief of Naval Operations Admiral John Richardson for answers on recent collisions involving Navy ships in the Seventh Fleet. In 2017, four Navy ships were involved in incidents, including two major collisions, resulting in the tragic loss of life of 17 service members. "The increase in collisions involving the Navy's Seventh Fleet, especially those that resulted in loss of life, is unacceptable, and we … Continue Reading
September 12, 2017
Hirono Announces Support for Medicare for All
WASHINGTON, D.C. -Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) released the following statement announcing her support for Senator Bernie Sanders' (I-Vt.) Medicare for All bill: "We are all one diagnosis away from a major illness. When that time comes, no one should have to worry about whether they can afford the care that might save their life. "I support universal, affordable, accessible, quality health care as a right, not a privilege. A single payer, Medicare for All system is a strong articulation … Continue Reading
September 11, 2017
Hirono Pushes Equifax to End Practice that Punishes Consumers
Approximately 143 Million Americans' Identities Released in Equifax Data Breach Current Equifax Agreements Limit Consumer Ability to Pursue Class Action Lawsuits WASHINGTON, D.C. -U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono, Al Franken (D-Minn.), and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) called on Equifax-the credit bureau that recently made public a data breach affecting 143 million Americans-to completely end its use of forced arbitration agreements, which limit the ability of consumers to pursue actions in pub… Continue Reading
September 08, 2017
Hirono, Joint Chiefs Chair Continue Commitment to Robust Support for Hawaii’s Military Resources
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Senator Mazie K. Hirono reaffirmed Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joseph Dunford's commitment to protecting Hawaii from the North Korea threat, and continuing strong support for Hawaii's military resources ahead of his confirmation hearing. General Dunford also provided an update on his recent visits to China, Japan, and South Korea. "Through recent meetings with the leaders of China, Japan, and South Korea, General Dunford has taken an important step to develop… Continue Reading
September 08, 2017
ICYMI: Hirono Featured in TIME Magazine’s FIRSTS Series, Highlighting “Women Who Are Changing the World”
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Senator Mazie K. Hirono is one of 46 "women who are changing the world" featured in TIME Magazine's FIRSTS series. The project is available online, as a book, and will also be featured in the September 18, 2017 issue of TIME, available on newsstands today. From Senator Hirono's feature: "Women are problem solvers. The women of the Senate get together on a regular basis. I think it's because women are not as ego-involved in terms of how to get things done. None of us is namby-… Continue Reading
September 06, 2017
Hirono Announces Global Entry Pilot Program for Japanese Travelers
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) today announced that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has launched a Global Entry pilot program with Japan. The pilot program allows up to 1,500 Japanese citizens as determined by the Government of Japan and CBP, who have received a promotional code to apply for Global Entry. The Global Entry Program allows expedited screening for trusted travelers visiting the United States, including TSA PreCheck privileges. According to the Hawaii… Continue Reading
September 05, 2017
Hirono: Ending DACA Is Latest Step President Has Taken to Attack Minority Communities
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement on the Trump administration's decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program: "After months of empty rhetoric to the contrary, the President took the cruel and unnecessary step to eliminate DACA - exposing more than 800,000 young people to deportation. They are not criminals. They are inspiring young people aptly called DREAMers because of their dream of making a better life for themselves in t… Continue Reading
September 01, 2017
Hirono Statement on Resignation of William Bradford
HONOLULU -Senator Mazie K. Hirono, a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, released the following statement on William Bradford's resignation as Director of the Department of Energy's Office of Indian Energy after media reports exposed bigoted and misogynistic comments Bradford made online: "I welcome William Bradford's resignation from his position as the Director of the Office of Indian Energy. His many offensive online statements, including that the internment of 120,0… Continue Reading
August 30, 2017
Hirono, Chin, Hawaii Immigration Advocates Lead Call to Protect DACA Recipients
HONOLULU -Senator Mazie K. Hirono, Hawaii Attorney General Doug Chin, and Clare Hanusz from the Hawaii Coalition for Civil Rights today spoke out on the importance of protecting Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients as the President threatens to take action that could end the program. Ten Republican state attorneys general have issued an ultimatum to the President that they will take legal action if the administration does not end the DACA program by September 5. "Hundreds of… Continue Reading
August 28, 2017
Hirono Continues to Defend Federal Funding for Community Health Centers
HILO - Senator Mazie K. Hirono today met with Bay Clinic staff to discuss how the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has impacted Hawaii Island community health centers (CHCs) and the patients they serve through the ACA's expansion of federal funding for CHCs and Medicaid. "The ACA's Medicaid expansion has covered more than 100,000 Hawaii residents and continues to help our community health centers provide access to quality, affordable health care," said Senator Hirono. "I remain committed to protectin… Continue Reading
August 24, 2017
Hirono Statement on Rail Funding Deal
HONOLULU -Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement on the Hawaii State Legislature's announcement of a bill to fund the Honolulu rail project: "Today's announcement is critical for the completion of the rail project, and I appreciate what has been a difficult decision for the State Legislature. As a member of the Hawaii Congressional delegation, I secured support for the rail project from the Federal Transit Administration, which included $1.55 billion in the FTA Full Funding Gr… Continue Reading
August 24, 2017
Nearly $1 Million Awarded to Improve Computer Science Education in Hawaii Classrooms
HONOLULU - Senator Mazie K. Hirono today announced that University of Hawaii Maui College (UHMC) will receive $999,239 to improve diversity in computer science education for secondary schools in Hawaii. "Supporting a strong, diverse computer science education for our youth is critical to ensuring that Hawaii's students have the tools they need to succeed in today's global economy," said Senator Hirono. "By removing current barriers confronting our underrepresented groups, we can help our studen… Continue Reading
August 23, 2017
Hirono Continues to Fight to Protect Federal Funding for Minority-Owned Small Businesses
HONOLULU - Senator Mazie K. Hirono today highlighted the importance of federal partnerships and investments in minority-owned small businesses at the third annual Native Hawaiian Organizations Association (NHOA) Business Summit Conference. "Small businesses have a unique perspective on not only growing their business, but growing our community," said Senator Hirono. "However, the Trump Administration's budget proposal threatens the progress we've made for all native programs, including minori… Continue Reading
