Press Releases
Hirono Visits Federally-Funded Physician Training Program at Kapiolani Medical Center
Senator Mazie K. Hirono toured the existing and new neonatal intensive care unit and pediatric intensive care unit at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children, and met with Hawaii Pacific Health Chief Executive Officer and President Ray Vara, Kapiolani Chief Executive Officer Martha Smith, and Kapiolani Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kenneth Nakamura regarding Hawaii's health care system and competitive federal funding the hospital recently received to grow its physician training program. "As… Continue Reading
August 12, 2016
Hirono Invites U.S. Patent and Trademark Regional Director To Assist Hawaii Innovators, Small Businesses
HONOLULU - Senator Mazie K. Hirono today hosted John Cabeca, Regional Director of the Silicon Valley U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), at an informational seminar to help small business owners and entrepreneurs in Hawaii navigate the patent and trademark process and protect their intellectual property. The High Technology Development Corporation's Innovate Hawaii co-hosted the event, which took place at the Manoa Innovation Center. "Helping our small businesses and entrepreneurs protect… Continue Reading
August 11, 2016
Hirono Connects Hawaii Small Businesses, Entrepreneurs with Federal Agencies for Innovation Showcase
HONOLULU - Senator Mazie K. Hirono today co-hosted an innovation showcase and roundtable discussion with top business, education, and government leaders to highlight entrepreneurial efforts in Hawaii as well as discuss how federal resources can fuel the growth of small business and spark innovation. The Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the University of Hawaii's (U.H.) Office of Technology Transfer and Economic Development, the U.H. School of E… Continue Reading
August 10, 2016
Hirono Welcomes New U.S. Citizens at Naturalization Ceremony
HONOLULU- Senator Mazie K. Hirono today welcomed 77 new American citizens from 26 countries during a naturalization ceremony at the Mission Memorial Auditorium on the grounds of Honolulu Hale. U.S. Chief Bankruptcy Judge for the District of Hawaii Robert Faris presided over the proceedings. Addressing the new citizens shortly after they took their oath, Senator Hirono called on them to play an active role in shaping their new homeland. "Unlike those who were born here and become citizens autom… Continue Reading
August 04, 2016
Hirono Convenes National Experts, Hears from Educators & Students, on Growing Hawaii’s STEM Pipeline
KAHULUI- Senator Mazie K. Hirono today chaired a Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee hearing at Maui High School on increasing opportunities for women, minorities, and other underrepresented groups in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. Senator Hirono heard from national experts at the National Science Foundation, the Small Business Administration and the Office of Naval Research - as well as Maui Economic Development Board Vice President Leslie Wilkins an… Continue Reading
August 03, 2016
Hirono Kicks off Small Business Committee Field Hearing on Growing Hawaii’s STEM Pipeline with Visit to Farrington High School
HONOLULU- Senator Mazie K. Hirono today visited Farrington High School with Hawaii Department of Education Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi, Board of Education Member Kenneth Uemura, administrators, educators, and students to discuss how federal programs, such as the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education (CTE) Act, support Hawaii students as they explore career pathways, including in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. "Federal funding for Farrington and high scho… Continue Reading
July 21, 2016
Hirono & Boozman Introduce Bill to Save Key Veterans Housing Programs
Senators Mazie K. Hirono and John Boozman (R-AR), members of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, introduced legislation to reauthorize a number of important federal homeless veteran programs for the next fiscal year. The Keeping Our Commitment to Ending Veteran Homelessness Act would renew seven Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Department of Labor programs that provide outreach and services to homeless veterans and their families. These programs are set to expire on September 30, 201… Continue Reading
July 21, 2016
Hirono Observes Rim of the Pacific Exercise Aboard U.S.S. Stennis, Meets with U.S. Ambassador to China
HONOLULU - Senator Mazie K. Hirono today joined international partners and Hawaii community leaders aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier U.S.S. John C. Stennis to observe the ongoing Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercise - the world's largest naval exercise. Senator Hirono met with the U.S.S. Stennis Strike Group leadership about the U.S. Navy's vital role to the Indo-Asia-Pacific rebalance, the unmatched capability of U.S. aircraft carriers and observed air operations below and from the deck… Continue Reading
July 20, 2016
Statement From Senator Mazie K. Hirono On The Passing Of Representative Mark Takai
HONOLULU- Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement on the passing of Representative Mark Takai: "Mark Takai was a devoted public servant who was committed to bettering our state and country in public office for more than two decades. He also gave back to his community as a celebrated champion collegiate swimmer, a Lieutenant Colonel in the Hawaii Army National Guard who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and a devoted family man. "I affectionately called Mark my younger brother… Continue Reading
July 19, 2016
Hirono Dedicates Hawaii’s First U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey Hangar
HONOLULU- Senator Mazie K. Hirono delivered the keynote address at today's dedication of the new MV-22 Hangar at Marine Corps Base Hawaii at Kaneohe Bay. The ceremony marked the opening of the first of two hangers that will serve as the permanent homes to two MV-22 Osprey squadrons. Senator Hirono is the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower, which overseas Marine Corps and Navy budgets and programs. "Hawaii plays a critical role in our national security, and this… Continue Reading
July 19, 2016
Hirono Encourages Students to Pursue STEM Fields at NOAA Science Camp
On Monday, Senator Mazie K. Hirono encouraged students attending the Third Annual Science Camp sponsored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service to continue nurturing their interest in science, technology, mathematics, and engineering (STEM) fields. "To maintain our country's historical leadership in STEM and take on the global challenges facing our environment, we need to inspire the next generation of scientists and researchers," said … Continue Reading
July 16, 2016
Hirono Honors Filipino American Business Community
HONOLULU- Senator Mazie K. Hirono tonight recognized the incoming leadership of the Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii (FCCH) at the organization's 62nd Annual Installation Banquet. Senator Hirono also congratulated FCCH for its contributions to Hawaii's economy. "Hawaii's Filipino community has made significant contributions to our state," said Senator Hirono, a member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. "The Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii's work has pla… Continue Reading
July 15, 2016
Senate Passes Hirono Resolution Honoring 100th Anniversary of Hawaii’s National Parks
The United States Senate passed a resolution authored by Senator Mazie K. Hirono honoring the 100th anniversaries of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on Hawaii Island and Haleakala National Park on Maui. Senator Hirono's resolution recognizes August 1 as "Hawaii Volcanoes and Haleakala National Parks Day." "For the last century, residents of Hawaii, the United States, and the world have visited Haleakala National Park and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and gained a greater appreciation for the na… Continue Reading
July 15, 2016
Hirono to Push for Hawaii Priorities, Asia-Pacific Rebalance
Senator Mazie K. Hirono was named to the Senate-House Conference Committee for the Fiscal Year 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The role of the Conference Committee is to resolve differences between the versions of the NDAA passed by the House and Senate earlier this year. The NDAA is a bill that lays out the resource levels and defense policy for the year. Senator Hirono is the Ranking Member of the Armed Services Seapower Subcommittee, which oversees Navy and Marine Corps progra… Continue Reading
July 13, 2016
Senate Unanimously Approves Hirono Bill To Award Filipino World War II Veterans Congressional Gold Medal
The U.S. Senate today passed a bill authored by Senator Mazie K. Hirono to award Filipino World War II veterans who fought for the United States the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian award that Congress can bestow. A broad, bipartisan coalition of 71 Senators co-sponsored the legislation, which recognizes Filipino soldiers who fought alongside Americans during World War II. "Today, the Senate provided recognition to Filipino World War II veterans for their brave and courageous serv… Continue Reading
July 07, 2016
Hirono Statement On S.764
Senator Mazie K. Hirono today voted to approve S.764, bipartisan legislation that establishes a mandatory federal labeling system for GMOs, which passed 63-30. Senator Hirono released the following statement after the vote: "Regardless of your position on GMOs, most of us agree that we all have a right to know what is in the food we eat. I support a mandatory federal system for labeling and disclosing GMOs in food so that consumers across the country have consistent access to information no mat… Continue Reading
July 07, 2016
Hirono Unveils Legislation To Bolster Title IX, Gender Equity In Education
Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono introduced the Patsy Mink Gender Equity in Education Act. This bill would provide more resources for schools, school districts, states, and institutions of higher education to fully implement the Patsy Mink Equal Opportunity Act, commonly referred to as Title IX - which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in federally funded educational programs and activities. Representative Louise M. Slaughter (D-NY) introduced a companion bill in the House of Representa… Continue Reading
July 02, 2016
Hirono Hosts Outreach Event To Assist Filipino World War II Veterans Reunite With Their Families
HONOLULU - Senator Mazie K. Hirono today hosted the first in a series of outreach events to assist Filipino World War II veterans in applying to reunite with family members still living in the Philippines. Senator Hirono brought together close to 50 Filipino veterans and family members with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) District Director David Gulick and members of the Hawaii Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association to provide information and assistance on the… Continue Reading
June 28, 2016
Hirono: Singapore’s Inclusion In Global Entry Is Good For Hawaii
Senator Mazie K. Hirono today announced that Singapore has been officially added to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Global Entry Program, which means that Singaporean citizens can now apply for expedited customs clearance for visiting the United States and vice versa. Senator Hirono led a bipartisan effort to encourage the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to add Singapore to the Global Entry Program in time for Hawaii's busy summer travel season. "Singapore's inclusion in the G… Continue Reading
June 28, 2016
Hirono Statement On Passing Of Elmer Cravalho
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement on the passing of former Hawaii House of Representatives speaker, Maui mayor, and businessman Elmer Cravalho: "Mayor Cravalho was a politically astute visionary. He cared for Maui first and foremost and his primary concern during his time in public office was to do what was best for Maui County. One of the areas where Elmer left a lasting impact is the diversification of Maui's economy. He was a leader in developing and … Continue Reading
