Press Releases
Hirono Announces $1.37 Million USDA Grant to Combat Coffee Leaf Rust in Hawaii
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) awarded $1.37 million to the Hawaii Agriculture Research Center to support the Center's work to combat Coffee Leaf Rust (CLR) in Hawaii. The funding comes from NIFA's Specialty Crop Research Initiatives (SCRI) program, and will be used to revitalize the organization's coffee breeding program in an effort to produce coffee with CLR res… Continue Reading
October 20, 2022
Hirono, Murray, Shaheen, Warren Applaud DOD Action to Ensure Access to Reproductive Care
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP), and Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today applauded the Department of Defense's (DOD) memorandum on ensuring access to reproductive health care: "Today's announcement from the Department of Defense is a significa… Continue Reading
October 20, 2022
Hirono Statement on Water Issues at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement after speaking with U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) Commander Admiral John Aquilino and Assistant Secretary of the Navy Energy, Installations and Environment, Meredith Berger about the ongoing water issues at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam: "Families and servicemembers in Hawaii are bearing the brunt of aging and poorly maintained infrastructure-this is u… Continue Reading
October 14, 2022
Hirono Announces $1.28 Million in American Rescue Plan Funding for UH to Train Community Health Workers
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded $1.28 million in federal funding to the University of Hawaii (UH) Systems to train new community health workers. The funding is part of the Community Health Worker Training Program created by the American Rescue Plan, which Senator Hirono helped pass last year. Currently, there are over 2,000 community health workers operating through several organizations througho… Continue Reading
October 13, 2022
Hirono Announces $1.9 Million Awarded to UH Manoa and UH Maui College to Promote Food and Agricultural Science Programs
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) awarded $1.9 million in federal funding to programs at the University of Hawaii (UH) at Manoa and the University of Hawaii Maui College. The funding, which aims to promote and strengthen Alaska Native-Serving and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions, will provide financial support for these institutions to carry out education, applied… Continue Reading
October 07, 2022
Hirono Statement on Water Outage at Tripler Army Medical Center
HONOLULU, HI -Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement on the water outage currently impacting Tripler Army Medical Center (TAMC), which serves servicemember and veterans on Oahu: "I am closely monitoring the water outage at Tripler. My staff and I have reached out to the relevant agencies to offer our assistance and support as we await more information about the extent of the damage and the impact on patients and families l… Continue Reading
October 07, 2022
Hirono Statement on HDOH Approval of Red Hill Defueling Plan
HONOLULU, HI -Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement after the Hawaii Department of Health approved the Department of Defense's plan to begin the next step of the defueling process at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility: "The approval of this plan is a critical step toward permanently closing Red Hill. I have urged leaders at the Defense Department including Secretary Austin and JTF Red Hill Commander Wade to begin the… Continue Reading
October 07, 2022
PHOTOS: Hirono Hosts Roundtable Discussion with Kupuna Collective on Supporting Hawaii’s Seniors
HONOLULU, HI -Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) met with the Kupuna Collective, a network of support organizations that focus on maximizing the health, independence, and engagement of Hawaii's older adults, for a roundtable conversation about supporting seniors in Hawaii. During the roundtable, Senator Hirono discussed issues including food security, senior care workforce shortages, and the recently-passed Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which will lower health care costs for the nearly 280,000 seni… Continue Reading
October 05, 2022
PHOTOS & VIDEO: Hirono Hosts VA Secretary Denis McDonough for Field Hearing, Meetings with Veterans on Oahu
HONOLULU, HI - Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), member of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, hosted a series of events focused on discussing the state of veterans' affairs (VA) resources and programs in Hawaii. Senator Hirono started the day chairing a field hearing of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee at the Oahu Veterans Center, highlighting some of the challenges Hawaii veterans face, including access to health care, education, housing, and other benefits. "It is clear that… Continue Reading
October 04, 2022
PHOTOS & VIDEO: Hirono Plants Ohia Lehua Tree at East-West Center, Tours Local Manufacturer HPC Foods/Taro Brand
HONOLULU, HI -Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) visited the East-West Center and local manufacturer HPC Foods/Taro Brand. The Senator began her day at the East-West Center, which promotes better relations and understanding among the people of the Asia-Pacific region and the United States. "I was honored to join East-West Center President Suzy Vares-Lum to plant the first ohia lehua mamo tree in the Center's Friendship Circle," said Senator Hirono. "This endemic native plant, known for its … Continue Reading
October 03, 2022
PHOTOS: Hirono Tours Honolulu Harbor to Highlight Impact of the Inflation Reduction Act
HONOLULU, HI - Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), toured the Honolulu Harbor and Kapalama Container Terminal (KCT) site, and met with officials from the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) and shipping companies to discuss the progress of the KCT expansion project and the importance of the $3 billion included in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) for port electrification across the country. Last month, Senator Hirono voted to pass the IRA, landmark legislation that lowered costs for fa… Continue Reading
September 30, 2022
VIDEO: Hirono, Colleagues Rally with Servicemembers and Veterans to Defend Access to Reproductive Care Amid Republicans’ Continued Attacks
WASHINGTON, D.C. - As Republicans continue pushing to ban abortion nationwide and attack the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) historic action to provide abortion care for Veterans in certain circumstances, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, condemned Republicans' barbaric efforts to restrict abortion. During a press conference with Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Patty Murray (D-WA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and U.S. Representative … Continue Reading
September 30, 2022
Hirono Leads 16 Colleagues in Resolution Designating Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Week
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), introduced a resolution designating the week of September 26th through October 2nd, 2022 as Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISI) Week. The resolution recognizes the achievements and goals of AANAPISIs in their work to provide quality educational opportunities to students who attend their institutions, particularly Asian and Pacific Islander American (APIA) students, including Native Hawaiians. "Ove… Continue Reading
September 30, 2022
Hirono-Led Legislation to Protect Survivors of Sexual Assault and Harassment Passes in Senate
WASHINGTON, D.C. -Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, voted to pass the Speak Out Act, bipartisan, bicameral legislation she led with Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) to limit the enforceability of non-disclosure agreements and non-disparagement agreements (NDAs) where a sexual harassment or sexual assault dispute arises and survivors wish to break their silence. The legislation passed the Senate unanimou… Continue Reading
September 29, 2022
Hirono Leads Resolution Commemorating 50th Anniversary of Hanalei and Pearl Harbor National Wildlife Refuges
WASHINGTON, D.C. -Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, introduced a resolution recognizing the 50th anniversaries of the establishment of Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge on Kauai and Pearl Harbor National Wildlife Refuge on Oahu. The resolution, cosponsored by Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI), celebrates the two refuges while acknowledging the wonders of Hawaii's eight other national wildlife refuges. The resolution also encourages people in Ha… Continue Reading
September 29, 2022
VIDEO: Hirono Announces Introduction of Legislation to Study Natural Infrastructure Solutions at Energy and Natural Resources Committee Hearing
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, announced the introduction of legislation to research the use of "natural infrastructure," or naturally occurring landscape, to protect communities from the impact of climate change at a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing. The Natural Infrastructure Act of 2022 would require the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Geological Survey to establish a joint Natural In… Continue Reading
September 29, 2022
Hirono Statement of Senate Passage of Legislation to Fund the Government
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) voted to pass legislation to fund the government through December 16th, expand aid to Ukraine, provide emergency relief aid, reauthorize FDA user fees, and help families to afford heating. "Funding the government should never be up for debate, which is why I'm glad the Senate was able to pass legislation to avoid a needless shutdown today. This legislation not only keeps the government funded, which is critical to supporting families… Continue Reading
September 27, 2022
Hirono, Colleagues Introduce Comprehensive Legislation to Address the Rise in Threats Targeting Election Workers
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined 18 of her Senate colleagues in introducing comprehensive legislation to address the rise in threats targeting election workers. The Election Worker Protection Act would provide states with the resources to recruit and train election workers and ensure these workers' safety, while also instituting federal safeguards to shield election workers from intimidation and threats. "Election workers p… Continue Reading
September 23, 2022
Following Hirono-led Push, DOJ Confirms VA Has Legal Authority to Provide Abortion Care, VA Providers are Protected From State-Level Prosecution
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Following a successful push led by Senator Mazie K. Hirono, member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, to get the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to begin providing abortion services, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed in a legal opinion that VA has the legal authority to provide abortion services in cases of rape, incest, and the life or health of the patient. Additionally, DOJ concluded that VA doctors and health care providers who perform abortion serv… Continue Reading
September 23, 2022
VIDEO: Hirono, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Support Survivors of Sexual Assault on College Campuses
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) in introducing legislation to support survivors of sexual assault on college campuses. The Survivor Outreach and Support on Campus Act, or S.O.S. Campus Act, would require every college and university that receives federal funding to have an independent advocate dedicated to campus sexual assault prevention and response. "It is completely unacceptable that young people-particularly women-have to choose betwee… Continue Reading
