Press Releases
Hirono Statement on Republican Health Care Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement following the motion to proceed vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act: "Today's vote was disappointing, but our fight to save the Affordable Care Act is only beginning. Any proposal Senate Republicans come up with will kick millions off of their health care and hurt the sickest, oldest, and poorest in our communities. If this is what the Republican Party wants to stand for, the American people will hold them accountable… Continue Reading
July 25, 2017
Over $1.6 Million Awarded to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport to Enhance Airport Safety Efforts
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) today announced that Hawaii will receive more than $1.6 million in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) funding to increase airport safety and operations at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. "Hawaii's residents and visitors depend on safe, reliable, and efficient air travel," said Senator Hirono. "Today's FAA funding strengthens the emergency preparedness and response capacity at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport and suppor… Continue Reading
July 24, 2017
Hawaii Macadamia Nuts Declared Heart Healthy by Food & Drug Administration
Hawaii Farmers Can Immediately Add Designation to Their Products WASHINGTON, D.C.- The Hawaii Congressional Delegation applauded the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) approval of a petition that certifies that eating macadamia nuts can help reduce the risk of coronary heart disease under certain circumstances. The approval of the petition will allow certain macadamia nut products to carry a label that designates them as heart-healthy. After a nearly two-year wait, the Hawaii Congressional D… Continue Reading
July 21, 2017
Hirono, Deutch Fight to Strengthen Social Security
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Congressman Ted Deutch (D-Fla.) re-introduced the Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act, a bill that strengthens Social Security and improves benefits while restoring fairness to Social Security contributions. "Social Security is the cornerstone for retirement and a safety net for millions of families around the country, including thousands in Hawaii who rely on its benefits every day to survive," said Senator Hirono. "However, f… Continue Reading
July 20, 2017
Senator Hirono Announces Federal Funding to Support Protection of Hawaii’s Coral Reefs
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) announced today that Hawaii will receive $715,000 from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to fund activities critical to the effective management and protection of Hawaii's coral reefs. "Coral reefs are an important part of Hawaii's marine environment and generate hundreds of millions of dollars to our economy every year," said Senator Hirono. "Even as the Trump Administration denies the existence of climate change, i… Continue Reading
July 19, 2017
VA Approves Lease Agreements to Build Maui, Kauai Community-Based Outpatient Clinics
Hirono Announces Lease Agreement After Meeting with New VA Pacific Islands Health Care System Director Hirono Had Advocated for Quick Approval of Lease Agreement After Meeting with Maui Veterans in February WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono, a member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, announced that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs approved new lease agreements to build Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) on Maui and Kauai after a meeting with the new Director o… Continue Reading
July 19, 2017
Oahu Community Health Centers Receive $3 Million to Expand Health Services
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) announced today that community health centers on the island of Oahu will receive nearly $3 million from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for the expansion of health services. The health centers receiving funding include Waimanalo Health Center and Kokua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services. "Federal funding plays an important role in ensuring that Hawaii's Community Health Centers can continue to provide critic… Continue Reading
July 19, 2017
Senator Hirono Announces Funding to Support Native Hawaiian Education and Cultural Programs
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) today announced over $90,000 in grant funding from the Native American Native Hawaiian Museum Services Program to promote Native Hawaiian education and cultural practices in Hawaii. The funding will support initiatives by the Hula Preservation Society (HPS) and Papahana Kuaola that promote valuable cultural practices. "Programs like the Native American Native Hawaiian Museum Services Program provide critical support for Native Hawaiian educa… Continue Reading
July 18, 2017
Hirono: Ending Sequestration Will Take More Than Lip Service
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Seapower Subcommittee, heard from former Reagan administration officials today on the impacts of President Regan's expansion of the Navy in light of current efforts to increase the size of the Navy's fleet to 355 from 308. The expansion under Reagan led to an increase of the Navy's fleet by roughly 70 ships by the end of the 1980s. Currently, the Navy is planning to increase submarines and oth… Continue Reading
July 18, 2017
Hawaii Receives $6 Million to Support Public Health Emergency Preparedness Efforts
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) announced today that Hawaii will receive $6,125,363 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to increase the state's ability to prepare and respond to potential public health threats. "Our experience fighting Zika, dengue, and other diseases has taught us how important it is for states and local governments to have the resources they need to confront potential public health threats," said Senator Hirono. "I will continue t… Continue Reading
July 18, 2017
Senator Hirono Announces Funding to Defend Against Complex Coordinated Terrorist Attacks on Hawaii
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) announced today that Hawaii will receive $492,800 in federal funding to enhance state preparedness and response efforts to address complex coordinated terrorist attacks. "We must remain vigilant to threats from terrorism including homegrown extremism and lone wolf style attacks, but many of the programs that help keep us safe are under attack from the Trump administration," said Senator Hirono. "This federal grant funding will help ensure … Continue Reading
July 17, 2017
Hirono, Blumenthal, Franken Lead Call to Demand Suspension of Kushner’s Security Clearance Due to Russia Actions
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Senators Mazie K. Hirono, Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and Al Franken (D-Minn.) demanded the security clearance of White House Senior Advisor Jared Kushner be immediately suspended, pending a review of newly revealed information about Kushner's contacts with Russian lobbyists and government-linked agents. Following the revelation of a meeting Kushner, along with Donald Trump Jr. and Trump Campaign Chairman Paul Manafort, held with Russian government-linked agents, Kushner's v… Continue Reading
July 17, 2017
Hirono: India’s Inclusion in Global Entry Is Good for Hawaii
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono announced that India has been officially added to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Global Entry Program, which means that Indian citizens can now apply for expedited customs clearance for visiting the United States. Senator Hirono led a bipartisan letter to encourage the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to add India to the Global Entry Program in time for Hawaii's busy summer travel season. "India's inclusion in the Global Entry Program… Continue Reading
July 17, 2017
Senator Hirono Announces Over $2 Million for Improvements at Kauai, Maui, and Molokai Airports
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) today announced that Hawaii will receive over $2 million in funding from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to enhance airport operations and runway safety at the Lihue, Kahului, and Molokai airports. "The safety of our traveling public is critical to the well-being of the people of Kauai, Maui, and Molokai who depend on air transportation and Hawaii's visitor industry," said Senator Hirono. "This federal funding will help to strength… Continue Reading
July 14, 2017
Hirono: Judge Watson’s Decision Strikes Another Blow Against Muslim Ban
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Senator Mazie K. Hirono, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement on Judge Derrick Kahala Watson's ruling that expands the types of family members covered under the Supreme Court's exemption from the President's Muslim ban: "The Muslim ban, and how the Trump administration has chosen to enforce it, continues to demonstrate the administration's animosity toward immigrants and their families. Americans have always considered grandparents, aunt… Continue Reading
July 14, 2017
Hawaii Residents, Health Care Leaders Speak Out Against Trumpcare
WASHINGTON, D.C.- In a new video, Senator Mazie K. Hirono, health care leaders from across the state, and the people they serve highlighted the devastating impact that Trumpcare would have on communities across the state. "Health care is a right, not a privilege for those who can afford it," said Senator Hirono. "Hawaii residents have a simple message: oppose this mean, ugly bill." Click on the photo above to watch the video Earlier today, Senate Republicans introduced their latest versio… Continue Reading
July 12, 2017
Hirono Grills FBI Director Nominee on Meetings with Trump Officials, Independence from Administration
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Senator Mazie K. Hirono, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today focused her line of questions to Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Nominee Christopher Wray on his meetings with the President and administration officials. Senator Hirono questioned his ability to act independently of the Trump administration and vigorously pursue investigations free of political influence. Senator Hirono also asked Mr. Wray if he would push back on the administration's ef… Continue Reading
July 11, 2017
Hirono Continues Work to Protect Nursing Home Coverage for Hawaii Veterans
WASHINGTON, D.C.- The Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee heard testimony in support of S. 683, Senator Mazie K. Hirono's bipartisan Keeping Our Commitment to Disabled Veterans Act. Sen. Hirono's bill would extend an expiring requirement under law that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provide nursing care for certain veterans with service-connected disabilities. Without extension by Congress beyond December 31, 2017, VA would no longer be required to provide this coverage. Around 350 Hawa… Continue Reading
July 11, 2017
Hirono Secures Hawaii Priorities in Defense Authorization
WASHINGTON, D.C.-- Senator Mazie K. Hirono, a member of the Senate Committee on Armed Services and Ranking Member of the Seapower Subcommittee, secured key priorities that encourage renewable energy investment, and support America's strategic interests in the Indo-Asia-Pacific in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2018. "Hawaii plays a critical role in advancing our country's strategic interests in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region," said Senator Hirono. "This year's NDAA … Continue Reading
July 10, 2017
Hirono Statement on Hawaii Soldier Arrested on Suspicion of Ties to ISIL
WASHINGTON, D.C.-- Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement on the arrest of a Hawaii soldier with alleged ties to ISIL: "During my meeting earlier today with the nominee to serve as our next FBI director, I reiterated my ongoing concern about homegrown extremism and lone wolf style attacks. "Although we are only beginning to learn more about these allegations, including whether this soldier was acting alone, we must remain vigilant to ensure our law enforcement agencies have… Continue Reading
