Press Releases
Navy honors Hirono with Distinguished Public Service Award
The Department of the Navy honored Senator Mazie K. Hirono for her advocacy for Navy and Marine Corps service members. Rear Admiral Craig Faller, on behalf of Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, presented Senator Hirono with the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award, the highest honor that the Secretary of the Navy can award to a civilian who is not employed by the Navy. "It is an honor to fight for Navy and Marine Corps service members in Hawaii and around the world," said Senator Hirono. "We … Continue Reading
January 05, 2017
ICYMI: Hirono criticizes President-elect Trump’s hypocrisy on Russian interference in presidential election
Senator Mazie K. Hirono criticized President-elect Donald Trump's hypocrisy in denying Russian interference in the election during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on cybersecurity threats. "It's more than ironic that we have a President-elect who kept talking about our elections being rigged, but at the same time denying Russia's interference in our election," Senator Hirono said. Senator Hirono also questioned the witnesses, including Director of National Intelligence James Clapper … Continue Reading
December 27, 2016
Hirono: President’s Visit to Pearl Harbor Strengthens U.S.-Japan Alliance
Senator Mazie K. Hirono attended joint remarks by President Barack Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe marking their visit to the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor. "President Obama and Prime Minister Abe's visit to Pearl Harbor is a testament to reconciliation and a continued, strong alliance between our two countries," said Senator Hirono. "In the years ahead, the U.S-Japan alliance will remain a cornerstone in our unwavering commitment to promote stability and stronger economic p… Continue Reading
December 21, 2016
Hirono welcomes first Hawaiian Airlines flight from Haneda to Kona
Senator Mazie K. Hirono welcomed visitors from Hawaiian Airlines' inaugural flight on its new direct route from Haneda Aiport in Tokyo to Kona International Airport. "Today's flight is the culmination of years of effort to reestablish international flights outside of North America to Kona, which is important for the Hawaii Island economy" said Senator Hirono. "The visitors we welcomed today will only be the first to experience our unique culture and everything that makes Hawaii a special place.… Continue Reading
December 19, 2016
Hirono to serve on Judiciary Committee, continue fighting for Hawaii priorities in United States Senate
Senator Mazie K. Hirono announced that she will return to serve on the Senate Judiciary Committee - which will be instrumental in defending civil rights, vetting a Trump administration's Supreme Court nominees, and standing up for immigrant communities - in the 115th Congress. Senator Hirono will also continue to serve on the Senate Committees on Armed Services, Energy and Natural Resources, Small Business and Entrepreneurship, and Veterans' Affairs. "The Senate Judiciary Committee will be on … Continue Reading
December 16, 2016
Hirono announces $1.1 million for Hawaii to fight Zika virus
Senator Mazie K. Hirono announced that the Hawaii Department of Health will receive $1.1 million in Centers for Disease Control funding to fight the Zika virus. The funding will bolster Hawaii's lab testing capacity as well as a variety of education, and vector control measures. "Hawaii needs to be vigilant against the continued threat posed by Zika, and this funding increases the Hawaii Department of Health's capacity to prevent and respond to a potential Zika outbreak," said Senator Hirono. … Continue Reading
December 15, 2016
Hirono-Gabbard Bill to Award Filipino Veterans Congressional Gold Medal Signed into Law
President Barack Obama signed into law today the Filipino Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act introduced by Senator Mazie K. Hirono and Representative Tulsi Gabbard. "The Filipino veterans of World War II overcame many challenges in their fight for compensation, family reunification, and verification of wartime service. By signing our bill into law, President Obama recognized these veterans' courage and perseverance, both during the war and in the decades of battles for benefi… Continue Reading
December 14, 2016
Hawaii Island receives federal funding for buses that reduce toxic pollutants
Senator Mazie K. Hirono announced that the Hawaii Department of Health will receive nearly $200,000 in federal funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to replace two diesel-powered buses on Hawaii Island with lower-emission buses. The new buses, part of Hawaii County's Hele-On bus service, will reduce toxic pollutants released by diesel exhaust. "Hawaii County's Hele-On Bus provides an important means of transportation for residents and visitors across the island and these n… Continue Reading
December 13, 2016
Hirono: The American people deserve to know the full extent of Russian interference in 2016 election
Senator Mazie K. Hirono - a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence - expressed her support for an independent, bipartisan, Congressional inquiry into Russian interference in the 2016 election and raised six important questions this review should answer. "The Intelligence Community's assessment that Russia intended to interfere in the 2016 U.S. election is deeply disturbing," said Senator Hirono. "Last month I joined my colleagues on the Senate Intelligence Committee in writing a … Continue Reading
December 13, 2016
Hirono announces more than $3 million in federal funding to fight invasive species
Senator Mazie K. Hirono announced that federal, state, and academic organizations in Hawaii will receive nearly $3.1 million in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) funding to fight invasive species, which will address threats facing Hawaii's environment and farmers, including Rapid Ohia Death, the coffee berry borer, the coconut rhinoceros beetle, and the little fire ant. The funding will also support agriculture pre-clearance inspections at airports. "Hawaii is on the front line in… Continue Reading
December 10, 2016
Hirono stands up for American workers
Senator Mazie K. Hirono joined with 36 Senators - including Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Harry Reid (D-NV), and Brian Schatz (D-HI) - and voted to stand up for middle class workers after Congressional Republicans moved to deny thousands of mine workers and widows the health care they earned. After the vote, Senator Hirono released the following statement: "The working people in our country need to know who… Continue Reading
December 08, 2016
Senate Passes Defense Bill That Includes Key Hawaii Priorities
Senator Mazie K. Hirono, Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower, secured Hawaii priorities in the Fiscal Year 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that passed the Senate today. The NDAA is a bill that lays out the resource levels and defense policy for the year. Senator Hirono is also a member of the NDAA Conference Committee, which reconciled differences between different versions of the bill passed by the Senate and House earlier this year. "Hawaii's vi… Continue Reading
December 07, 2016
21st Century CURES Act to advance cancer research in Hawaii
Senator Mazie K. Hirono voted to support the 21st Century CURES Act, a comprehensive bill to accelerate medical research, which passed the Senate today. "This bill directs additional resources to Hawaii researchers on the cutting edge of uncovering new cancer treatments and strengthens seniors' access to essential durable medical equipment under Medicare's new reimbursement system," said Senator Hirono. "I am grateful for Senator Hirono's support of the 21st Century CURES Act," said Dr. Randal… Continue Reading
December 07, 2016
Hirono leads effort to recognize the 75th anniversary of attack on Pearl Harbor
Senator Mazie K. Hirono led a bipartisan coalition in introducing a resolution marking the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. "On this solemn anniversary we honor not only those who lost their lives in the attack on Pearl Harbor, but also those who sacrificed so much in the years that followed during World War II," said Senator Hirono. "While we will always remember what happened 75 years ago, today is also an opportunity to reflect on the power of reconciliation, the strength of o… Continue Reading
December 01, 2016
Hirono: Reestablishment of Kona Federal Inspection Facility Benefits Hawaii Economy
Senator Mazie K. Hirono applauded today's announcement that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection will reestablish a Federal Inspection Services (FIS) facility at Kona International Airport. The FIS checkpoint allows for international visitors to fly directly to and from Kona. "After six years of working closely with federal and state officials, and community partners to reestablish direct international flights to Kona International Airport, today's announcement is good news for Hawaii's tou… Continue Reading
December 01, 2016
Hirono Announces More Than $5.7 Million in Federal Funding for Hawaii’s Public Preschools
Senator Mazie K. Hirono announced that Hawaii will receive $5.74 million in continued support under the Preschool Development Grant program, which funds high-quality preschool in Hawaii's public charter schools, including Hawaiian language immersion programs. "Hawaii's Preschool Development Grant makes it possible for hundreds of Hawaii students to attend preschool, which is foundational for success in school and in life," said Senator Hirono. "I will work to see that the federal government com… Continue Reading
November 30, 2016
House of Representatives Unanimously Approves Hirono-Gabbard Bill to Award Filipino Veterans Congressional Gold Medal
The House of Representatives unanimously passed the Filipino Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act (S.1555), sponsored by Senator Mazie K. Hirono and Representative Tulsi Gabbard. The U.S. Senate unanimously passed the bill in July, which recognizes Filipino soldiers who fought under U.S. command during World War II. "For months, we have said that time is running out to recognize Filipino World War II veterans for their brave service," said Senator Hirono. "Today's House passage… Continue Reading
November 28, 2016
Hirono, Gabbard Announce House Vote on Filipino Veterans Congressional Gold Medal Bill
Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI-02) announced today the House will vote on legislation to award WWII Filipino Veterans the Congressional Gold Medal. The bill unanimously passed the Senate in July, and is scheduled for a vote in the House on Wednesday, November 30. Should the bill pass the House, it will be sent to the President to be signed in to law. "This week, Congress will take the next step to recognize the brave and courageous service of Filipino World Wa… Continue Reading
November 22, 2016
Hirono Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Increase Seniors’ Access to Shingles Vaccine
Senators Mazie K. Hirono and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) introduced the bipartisan Protecting Seniors through Immunization Act (S.3477) to increase seniors' access to the shingles vaccine. Seniors are at a greater risk of developing shingles. Shingles is a painful rash and sufferers are at risk for developing more serious complications. "Seniors in Hawaii and across the country, including millions on a fixed income, deserve the protection from the shingles virus regardless of their ability to … Continue Reading
November 17, 2016
Hirono Denounces Top Trump Surrogate’s Comments to Use Japanese American Internment as Precedent for Muslim Registry
Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement in response to top Trump surrogate Carl Higbie's remarks that the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II should be used as precedent for the creation of a Muslim registry: "The internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II was a historic injustice and nothing like it should ever happen again," said Senator Hirono. "The protection of our Constitution is not conditional; it applies to all of us. We cannot allow hate spe… Continue Reading
