Press Releases
Hirono Statement On U.S. Marine Helicopter Tragedy
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement on the U.S. Marine Corps announcement that it has reclassified the status of the 12 U.S. Marines involved in the January 14 training incident off Oahu's north shore as "deceased." "My thoughts, prayers, and aloha are with the families of the twelve U.S. Marines lost in last week's tragedy. Each Marine served our country bravely and with distinction. Our military ohana is a vital part of our island community, closely i… Continue Reading
January 20, 2016
Hirono Opposes Anti-Refugee Legislation
Senator Mazie K. Hirono today voted against H.R. 4038, legislation that would require the Director of National Intelligence, Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Secretary of Homeland Security to individually review and approve the admission of any refugee from Syria or Iraq. The bill, which needed a 60 vote threshold to move forward, failed 55-43. "Keeping Americans safe should always be our first priority. However, this legislation does nothing to improve national security… Continue Reading
January 20, 2016
Hawaii Congressional Delegation Announces More Than $3.4 Million In Renewable Energy Research Funding
The Hawaii Congressional Delegation today announced more than $3.4 million in Department of Energy funding that will allow Hawaiian Electric Company to improve electric grid technology, which will facilitate more renewable energy generation. "Today's award builds on Hawaii's record as a state on the forefront of renewable energy research," said Senator Mazie K. Hirono, a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. "This competitive funding will allow Hawaiian Electric Company t… Continue Reading
January 19, 2016
Hirono Applauds Supreme Court’s Decision To Hear Case On Immigration Executive Action
Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement on the Supreme Court's decision to hear U.S. v. Texas, a case challenging President Obama's expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) programs which were announced more than a year ago. "Today's announcement that the Supreme Court will hear arguments on U.S. v. Texas is a step forward for the millions of undocumented immigrants who remain trapp… Continue Reading
January 15, 2016
Hirono Joins Congressional Delegation To Middle East
WASHINGTON, D.C. - One year after supporting the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran Nuclear Deal, Senator Mazie K. Hirono traveled to the Middle East to discuss JCPOA's implementation and broader security challenges in the region. During the six-day trip, Hirono traveled to Austria, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, meeting key leaders and decision makers in each country, including: the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Yukiya… Continue Reading
January 15, 2016
Hirono Joins Congressional Delegation To Middle East
One year after supporting the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran Nuclear Deal, Senator Mazie K. Hirono traveled to the Middle East to discuss JCPOA's implementation and broader security challenges in the region. During the six-day trip, Hirono traveled to Austria, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, meeting key leaders and decision makers in each country, including: the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Yukiya Amano, in Austria… Continue Reading
January 12, 2016
Hirono: We All Have A Part To Play In Shaping America’s Future
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement commending President Obama's final State of the Union address: "Tonight, President Obama laid out how far our country has come since he took office in 2009 and the road that lies ahead. The President emphasized that quality education is a key part in the continued success of our country. My guest Sierra Schmitz is one of millions of students who are struggling to afford a college education. Large financial debt shouldn'… Continue Reading
January 11, 2016
Hawaii Student To Attend State Of The Union
Senator Mazie K. Hirono today announced that Sierra Schmitz, a Hawaii native and current American University student, will accompany her to President Obama's final State of the Union address tomorrow, Tuesday January 12, 2016. "While a quality education is an important key to success in today's economy, college costs continue to skyrocket. Sierra, who is paying her own way through American University with the help of federal programs such as Pell Grants, and students like her are why I will con… Continue Reading
January 06, 2016
Hirono Statement On The Announced End Of Sugar Production In Hawaii
HONOLULU - Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement on the announcement that Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Company (HC&S) will end its sugar production operations by the end of 2016 and transition to a diversified agricultural model. "Today's announcement marks an end to plantation agriculture that shaped our state's history. Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Company has been a source of economic stability for the County of Maui, pioneered technical innovation in the field o… Continue Reading
December 24, 2015
Hirono Encourages COFA Citizens In Hawaii To Utilize Extended Health Care Insurance Enrollment Period
Senator Mazie K. Hirono encourages eligible Hawaii residents from the Compact of Free Association (COFA) nations to enroll in health care coverage following the announcement that the enrollment period has been extended to February 15, 2016. Earlier this month, Senator Hirono led a Hawaii delegation letter to Secretary of Health and Human Services Sylvia Mathews Burwell (http://1.usa.gov/1m8ddXl) to request a special enrollment period for COFA citizens in Hawaii due to the challenges experienced… Continue Reading
December 18, 2015
Hirono Supports Budget Deal That Benefits Hawaii
Senator Mazie K. Hirono today supported the bipartisan omnibus package, a $1.1 trillion bill that funds the government, including a number of programs that will help Hawaii families, through September. The measure also provides tax relief for individuals and businesses and renews incentives for clean energy. The bill passed the Senate 65-33. "The appropriations and tax package approved by Congress is very much a hard fought, bipartisan compromise. I have deep concerns about ending the ban on U.… Continue Reading
December 11, 2015
Hirono, Schatz, Gabbard Announce Nearly $1.5 Million For Coral Reef Conservation
Washington, D.C - Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai'i), U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai'i), and U.S. Representative Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) announced that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) awarded $1,485,007 in various grants to support coral reef conservation and coastal management in Hawai'i and throughout the Pacific. "Climate change and other manmade threats pose a serious risk to Hawaii's coral reefs and fisheries, vital parts of our state's ecosystem a… Continue Reading
December 11, 2015
Hirono Successfully Advocates For Improvements To Veterans’ Services
Two of Senator Mazie K. Hirono's proposals to improve services for veterans and their families were approved by the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee as part of S. 425, the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Programs Reauthorization Act. Senator Hirono's provisions expedite the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) survivors benefits claims process and improve VA practices to recruit physicians. "The Homeless Veterans Reintegration Programs Reauthorization Act makes progress on ensuring that vetera… Continue Reading
December 09, 2015
Hirono Supports Major No Child Left Behind Overhaul
Senator Mazie K. Hirono today voted for the Every Student Succeeds Act, the first comprehensive legislation aimed at improving elementary and secondary education to pass Congress since the 2001 No Child Left Behind Act. "Our schools should be places where students' curiosity about the world can grow into a lifelong passion for learning," said Senator Hirono. "The Every Students Succeeds Act makes the one size fits all mandates of the No Child Left Behind Act a thing of the past, and Hawaii stud… Continue Reading
December 07, 2015
Hirono, Reid, Kaine Urge President To Expedite Program To Reunite Families Of Filipino WWII Veterans
Senators Mazie K. Hirono, Harry Reid (D-NV), and Tim Kaine (D-VA) urged President Obama to quickly implement the Administration's newly proposed parole program to reunite Filipino World War II veterans with their family members. In July, after years of advocacy from Senator Hirono and others, the Obama Administration recommended that the Department of Homeland Security create a parole program to allow certain family members of Filipino World War II veterans to come to the United States to provid… Continue Reading
December 03, 2015
Hirono Fights To Protect Health Care Access For Hawaii Women And Families
Senator Mazie K. Hirono today voted against H.R. 3762, a Republican bill to defund Planned Parenthood, undermine federal support for research on heart disease, diabetes, and other diseases, and gut key Affordable Care Act provisions. The legislation passed the Republican-controlled Senate 52-47. President Obama has vowed to veto the bill. After the final vote, Senator Hirono released the following statement: "The budget reconciliation legislation is yet another Republican attempt to push a far… Continue Reading
December 03, 2015
Hirono Supports Five-Year Transportation Bill That Will Bring $1.3 Billion To Hawaii
Senator Mazie K. Hirono voted to support H.R. 22, the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, legislation that will fund our nation's highways and transportation infrastructure for the next five years. The FAST Act passed the Senate 83-16 and is headed to the President's desk for his signature. "The FAST Act is long overdue and will provide stability for transportation agencies as we continue to search for solutions to modernize and maintain our critical infrastructure needs," said… Continue Reading
December 02, 2015
Hirono Opposes Attacks On Women’s Health In Budget Reconciliation Bill
Senator Mazie K. Hirono took to the Senate floor to speak out against the latest Republican attempts to turn back the clock on women's health care by defunding Planned Parenthood. The provisions to defund Planned Parenthood's critical work are part of the budget reconciliation legislation currently being considered on the Senate floor. From Senator Hirono's remarks: "Limiting the ability of women to access health care services at Planned Parenthood clinics across the country is just one part o… Continue Reading
November 20, 2015
Hirono: Misleading, Divisive Rhetoric Neglects Facts Of Immigrant Communities
Senator Mazie K. Hirono took to the Senate floor to speak out against anti-immigrant sentiment and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal's ruling against President Obama's Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) and expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) programs. From Senator Hirono's remarks: "Together, the expanded DACA and DAPA programs, will mean that around 5 million more individuals will be able to work legally, pay their taxes, and car… Continue Reading
November 19, 2015
Hirono, Cornyn, Chu, & Royce Push To Level Playing Field For Minority College Students
Senators Mazie K. Hirono and John Cornyn (R-TX), and Representatives Judy Chu (D-CA) and Ed Royce (R-CA) introduced the Minority-Serving Institution Fairness Act in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives today, legislation that would make Minority-Serving Institutions (MSI) eligible to compete for, and receive, multiple federal grants for the purpose of serving a wider range of minority students. "Hawaii's colleges and universities serve diverse populations of students, and they shou… Continue Reading
