Press Releases
Hirono Announces Federal Funding to Improve Educational Data
Senator Mazie K. Hirono announced that the Hawaii Department of Education will receive more than $223,000 in U.S. Department of Education funding to improve data disaggregation for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) students. Disaggregating data helps to better understand unique student populations, making it easier for schools and teachers to provide better targeted resources and strategies to help students learn. "This funding continues our efforts to bridge educational disparities wi… Continue Reading
November 15, 2016
Hirono Statement on the Passing of State Representative Clift Tsuji
Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement on the passing of Hawaii State Representative Clift Tsuji: "Clift Tsuji represented the Hilo community that he grew up in, and his drive to build a better future was evident by his actions. Clift brought a wealth of experience and over 30 years of business acumen to the Hawaii State House of Representatives. His voice on behalf of agriculture across the state will be missed. I considered Clift a friend, and my thoughts are with his family… Continue Reading
November 11, 2016
On Veterans Day, Hirono Renews Call for House to Pass Bill Honoring Filipino World War II Veterans
Senator Mazie K. Hirono spoke at the USS Missouri Memorial on Veterans Day. Her remarks focused on the contributions and sacrifices made by Filipino soldiers who answered President Franklin Roosevelt's call and fought alongside U.S. soldiers in World War II. Senator Hirono has spearheaded efforts, along with Filipino advocacy groups in Hawaii and across the country, to award the Congressional Gold Medal collectively to these Filipino veterans. "It has been four months since the Senate passed t… Continue Reading
November 07, 2016
Hirono Celebrates 100th Anniversary of National Park Service at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Senator Mazie K. Hirono marked the 100th anniversary of America's National Parks at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on Hawaii Island. The Senator presented Hawaii fourth graders with Every Kid in a Park program passes, which provide free admission to National Parks for fourth graders nationwide to encourage exploration and learning. "As we celebrate the 100th anniversary of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, the Every Kid in a Park program promotes a lifelong appreciation for our environment and… Continue Reading
November 04, 2016
Hirono: Expanding Preclearance to Kansai Airport Benefits National Security, Hawaii Tourism
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced that it is expanding the U.S. Custom and Border Protection's (CBP) preclearance program to include Kansai International Airport in Osaka, Japan. Senator Mazie K. Hirono pushed top Administration officials to include Kansai in today's expansion. "Including Kansai International Airport in the preclearance program will improve Hawaii's competitiveness in the fast-growing Asia-Pacific tourism market," said Senator Hirono. "Today's announcement f… Continue Reading
October 31, 2016
ICYMI: New Hirono Bill to Protect Workers in Hawaii’s Longline Fleet
Senator Mazie K. Hirono will introduce a bill in the new Congress to protect foreign fishermen from exploitation and preserve Hawaii's longline fishing industry. The Senator laid out her principles for this bill in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser: "Hirono's bill would give the fishermen temporary work visas designed to afford the workers wage protections, safe working conditions and contract enforcement provisions, similar to those afforded other foreign workers with comparable visas. "The visas … Continue Reading
October 25, 2016
Hirono Announces More Than $1.5 Million in Federal Funding for Hawaii’s Public Schools
Senator Mazie K. Hirono announced that the Hawaii Department of Education will receive $1.56 million in federal funding to improve academic achievement at schools throughout the state. The U.S. Department of Education funding will be allocated among Hawaii's priority status schools to provide students and teachers with additional resources to improve performance in the classroom. "This funding ensures that Hawaii… Continue Reading
October 22, 2016
Hirono Hears from Oahu Veterans on Health Care, Access to Benefits
Senator Mazie K. Hirono joined Oahu Veterans Council members to discuss a recent Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Inspector General report, prepared at the Senator's request, that assessed the impact of a six-point plant to improve patient wait times at the VA Pacific Islands Health Care System (VAPIHCS). "Our veterans deserve benefits and quality, timely medical care equal to their service and sacrifice on behalf of our country," said Senator Hirono. "I will continue to hold the VA account… Continue Reading
October 21, 2016
Hirono Unveils Exhibit Honoring Japanese American World War II Veterans
Senator Mazie K. Hirono today commemorated the service of Japanese American World War II veterans at a new exhibit in the Honolulu International Airport. The Nisei Veterans Legacy Exhibit includes profiles of members of the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, Military Intelligence Service, and the 1399th Engineer Construction Battalion. "Through this exhibit, millions of people who pass through Honolulu International Airport each year will have the opportunity to learn more … Continue Reading
October 18, 2016
Hirono, State & Local Leaders Emphasize How Public & Private Partnerships Improve Hawaii’s Water Security
Senator Mazie K. Hirono today convened state and local leaders to examine how federal partnerships protect and sustain Hawaii's freshwater resources. Senator Hirono, Governor David Ige, state elected officials, and watershed resource experts outlined what Hawaii groups are currently doing to improve water security, and how the federal government can support these efforts. "Hawaii's native forested watersheds feed our state's water supply, and it is vital that we protect these precious resources… Continue Reading
October 13, 2016
Hirono: Employee-Owned Businesses Benefit Hawaii Families
Senator Mazie K. Hirono today commended Hawaii's employee owned business for creating a shared sense of success and responsibility in the workplace. Senator Hirono addressed Hawaii's Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Association, which supports employee owned businesses across the state. "Hawaii's ESOPs show that when workers are the shareholders, companies can focus on sustainable growth that creates jobs and boosts incomes over the long-term - not just the next quarter," said Senator Hiron… Continue Reading
October 12, 2016
Hirono Addresses Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement
Senator Mazie K. Hirono renewed her commitment to the Native Hawaiian community at the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement's annual convention. "The Native Hawaiian community has made significant strides in growing culturally significant and relevant initiatives that benefit families across Hawaii," said Senator Hirono. "However, there is still work to be done. Federal programs that improve educational opportunities, access to health care, and housing demonstrate the federal government's co… Continue Reading
October 07, 2016
President Signs Hirono Bill to Increase Paid Leave for Disabled Veterans into Law
President Obama signed Senator Mazie K. Hirono's (D-HI) bipartisan Federal Aviation Administration Veteran Transition Improvement Act into law today. Disabled veterans who work for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will now have access to additional leave to treat service-related injuries. "Mahalo to President Obama for giving FAA and TSA veteran employees additional paid leave to treat service-related injuries," said Senator Hirono. "Hel… Continue Reading
October 05, 2016
Hirono, Senate Democrats Call for Justice Department to Hold Wells Fargo Executives Accountable
Senator Mazie K. Hirono led a coalition of Senators to urge the Justice Department to investigate and, if appropriate, prosecute individual wrongdoing at Wells Fargo after revelations that the bank's employees had opened millions of accounts without customer approval. In September, the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued its largest penalty to date of over $100 million to the bank as a result of this multi-year, multi-state fraud. The Senators urged Attorney General Loretta Lynch… Continue Reading
October 04, 2016
Hirono Leads Bipartisan Resolution to Recognize Filipino American History Month
Senator Mazie K. Hirono introduced a bipartisan resolution in the United States Senate to recognize the month of October as Filipino American History Month. The resolution acknowledges the key role Filipino Americans play in shaping our country. Representative Mike Honda (D-CA) introduced an identical measure in the House of Representatives. "This resolution pays tribute to the wide-ranging contributions that Filipino Americans have made to our country," said Senator Hirono. "Nearly 200,000 Fil… Continue Reading
September 29, 2016
Hirono: TPP Must Be Renegotiated to Prioritize American Workers
Today, Senators Mazie K. Hirono, Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and others told the Obama Administration that the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) should not be considered by Congress until it is renegotiated. In a letter to the Administration today, the Senators outlined TPP's fundamental flaws and the need to fix them before Congress votes on the agreement, which is the biggest trade agreement ever negotiated. "Although we hear that every new trade deal is supposed to 'level the playing field' for work… Continue Reading
September 27, 2016
As VA Inspector General Releases Report on Hawaii Health Care System, Hirono Calls for Continued Action
In response to a request by Senator Mazie K. Hirono, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of the Inspector General released an inspection report on a six-point plan the VA Pacific Islands Health Care System (VAPIHCS) undertook to improve patient wait times for VA medical services. The VA first pledged to implement the plan at Senator Hirono's 2014 field hearing, which shed light on the long wait times and other obstacles Hawaii veterans face seeking care. Since the 2014 hearing, … Continue Reading
September 26, 2016
Hirono Calls for Guaranteed Access to Legal Counsel for Unaccompanied Child Immigrants in Visit to Baltimore “Kids Court”
Senator Mazie K. Hirono continued her call to guarantee access to legal counsel for unaccompanied children who come to the United States fleeing violence in their home countries during a visit to immigration "Kids Court" in Baltimore today. These children, some as young as three, are forced to navigate through immigration proceedings without any mandated legal representation. "It's unacceptable that children who are fleeing violence in their home countries are left to navigate the American lega… Continue Reading
September 23, 2016
Senator Hirono Statement on Final Department of Interior Rule
"Today's announcement is the long-time culmination of efforts to provide a pathway for Native Hawaiians to achieve self-determination. I commend the Obama administration for creating this opportunity that will enable the Native Hawaiian community to establish a government-to-government relationship on par with Alaska Natives and Native Americans - who are afforded significant resources and rights based on their federal standing as a native people. It was a privilege to have worked closely with N… Continue Reading
September 22, 2016
Senate Passes Hirono-Fischer Bill to Equalize Paid Leave for Disabled Veterans
The U.S. Senate today passed S. 2683, the Federal Aviation Administration Veteran Transition Improvement Act, legislation authored by Senators Mazie K. Hirono and Deb Fischer (R-NE) to equalize paid sick leave for veterans who work for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA). S. 2683 is cosponsored by Senators Jon Tester (D-MT) and Jerry Moran (R-KS). "Disabled veterans who work at the FAA and TSA currently are forced to take unpaid leave to tr… Continue Reading
