Press Releases
Hawaii Delegation Announces $1.5 Million in Research Funding For University of Hawaii
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Hawaii's Congressional Delegation announced that the University of Hawai'i will receive $1.5 million in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Energy for research in high energy physics. Eventually, a total of $8.9 million will be invested. "Investment in science and technology is an investment in our future. The University of Hawai'i will be able to use these funds to build on previous success and continue to lead in the field of high energy physics," said Congress… Continue Reading
May 07, 2015
Hirono: Senate’s Bipartisan Compromise Is A Step Forward To Prevent Iran From Obtaining Or Developing A Nuclear Weapon
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Mazie K. Hirono, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement after the Senate voted 98-1 to pass the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015: "The bipartisan compromise that passed the Senate today is a step forward in reaching an eventual diplomatic solution that prevents Iran from obtaining or developing a nuclear weapon. I'm confident that while this legislation won't interfere with t… Continue Reading
May 05, 2015
Senator Hirono’s Top 10 Reasons The Republican Budget Hurts The Middle Class & Is Bad For Hawaii
Washington, DC - The Republican budget favors the wealthy and special interests on the backs of middle class families, seniors, and students in Hawaii and across the country. While Democrats continue to work for a middle class budget that would give hard-working families a fair shot at a better future by creating good paying jobs and creating new opportunities, Republicans continue to push a disastrous framework that would rig the rules in favor of billionaires and special interests. Today, Sen… Continue Reading
April 28, 2015
Hirono To Attend State Dinner, Serve On Escort Committee For Japanese Prime Minister Abe
Washington, D.C. - This week during Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's official visit to the United States and Japan's Golden Week, Senator Mazie K. Hirono will participate in several key events to highlight the important alliance spanning seven decades between the United States and Japan. Tonight, Senator Hirono will attend the State Dinner for Prime Minister Abe at the White House hosted by President Obama and the First Lady. Tomorrow morning, Senator Hirono will serve on the escort committ… Continue Reading
April 23, 2015
HIRONO VOTES TO CONFIRM LORETTA LYNCH AS FIRST WOMAN OF COLOR TO SERVE AS ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES
Washington, D.C. - Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement on Loretta Lynch's historic confirmation as the first woman of color to serve as Attorney General of the United States: "Loretta Lynch is a strong leader with a long and distinguished record of public service. Her wealth of experience as a prosecutor will serve her well as she steps into her new role as our nation's top law enforcement officer; charged with countering terrorist threats, going after criminals, … Continue Reading
April 22, 2015
HIRONO INTRODUCES COLLEGE AFFORDABILITY PLAN
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono is rolling out her comprehensive plan to permanently protect and expand the Pell Grant program. For over 40 years, the Pell Grant program has been foundational to putting higher education within reach for students from low-income backgrounds across the country. The Pell Grant program has transformed lives by giving students the economic assistance they needed to reach their full potential and earn a college degree. Since the 2008 recession, more … Continue Reading
April 20, 2015
HAWAII DELEGATION ANNOUNCES $1.2 MILLION FOR HOMELESS VETERANS HOUSING PROGRAM
WASHINGTON, D.C. -Today, Hawaii's Congressional Delegation announced that the U.S. Departments of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Veteran Affairs (VA) awarded $1,252,253.00 to go toward 110 targeted vouchers to help provide housing for Hawaii's veterans experiencing homelessness. The City and County of Honolulu will receive $977,616 for 80 vouchers, while the remaining $274,637 will be directed to the Hawaii Public Housing Authority for 30 vouchers. "I am extremely pleased to be joini… Continue Reading
April 16, 2015
HIRONO, DEUTCH INTRODUCE BILL TO STRENGTHEN & IMPROVE SOCIAL SECURITY FOR SENIORS, MAKE SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM FAIRER FOR MIDDLE CLASS
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-21) introduced the Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act - a measure that strengthens Social Security for generations to come and improves benefits for all Americans by restoring fairness to Social Security contributions. Currently, most Americans contribute 6.2 percent of every paycheck they earn to Social Security, while a corporate lawyer earning $400,000 pays an annual rate of just 1.71 percent and… Continue Reading
April 14, 2015
HIRONO VOTES TO STRENGTHEN MEDICARE & EXTEND HEALTH INSURANCE PROTECTION FOR HAWAII KIDS
Washington, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement on the Senate's passage of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015. The measure passed both the House and the Senate with overwhelming bipartisan majorities, passing in 329-37 and 92-8, respectively. "This is compromise legislation, and while it's not perfect, it has a number of provisions that are good for Hawaii. Medicare, the Children's Health Improvement Program (CHIP), and our community health cent… Continue Reading
April 10, 2015
HIRONO & USDA DEPUTY SECRETARY HARDEN HIGHLIGHT THE IMPORTANCE OF GROWING THE NEXT GENERATION OF FARMERS ON OAHU
HONOLULU - Yesterday, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono and Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Krysta Harden traveled across Oahu, meeting with the next generation of Hawaii farmers and visiting programs working to foster and encourage Hawaii's growing agricultural economy. Today, the average farmer in Hawaii is 60 years old. As Hawaii seeks to sustainably grow more food locally and replace its aging agricultural workforce, programs to train our next generation of farmers are critical. One of the high… Continue Reading
March 31, 2015
HAWAII DELEGATION HONORS DEDICATION OF HONOULIULI NATIONAL MONUMENT
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the Hawaii Congressional Delegation honored the dedication of Honouliuli National Monument, which permanently protects a site where Japanese American citizens, resident immigrants, and prisoners of war were held captive during World War II. "The stories of the more than 1,000 innocent Hawaii civilians detained at Honouliuli during World War II cannot be forgotten, and as a national monument, the Honouliuli Internment Site will be an ever-present memorial of an importan… Continue Reading
March 27, 2015
HIRONO COMMENDS NOZOE APPOINTMENT TO U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono congratulates Hawaii Department of Education Deputy Superintendent Ronn Nozoe on his appointment to Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Programs in the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education at the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE). "Ronn has been a great asset in our state and served our students and educators well. I know he'll be a wonderful leader in the U.S. Department of Education, implementing policies that will help students be s… Continue Reading
March 26, 2015
HIRONO: BUDGET FAVORS THE WEALTHY & SPECIAL INTERESTS, HURTS OUR MIDDLE CLASS & ECONOMY
WASHINGTON, D.C. - This morning, Senator Mazie K. Hirono took to the Senate floor to highlight how the Senate budget resolution, which provides a policy framework for funding and other legislation Congress will debate in the future, proposed by Republicans favors special interests and the wealthy and would hurt our middle class and economy. Senator Hirono also spoke about two of the amendments she has filed in an attempt to improve the budget: an amendment to restore year-round Pell Grants for … Continue Reading
March 19, 2015
HAWAII DELEGATION ANNOUNCES $3.3 MILLION IN FUNDING FOR CONSERVATION EFFORTS
Washington, D.C. - Today, the Hawaii Congressional Delegation announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will allocate almost $3.3 million to Hawaii for programs that prevent the introduction or spread of plant pests, diseases, and pathogens, including the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle and other invasive species. "The grant from the USDA will help Hawaii in combatting the spread of invasive species, and will be particularly helpful with efforts to contain the Coconut Rhinocer… Continue Reading
March 16, 2015
SENATORS HIRONO AND SCHATZ ESTABLISH FEDERAL JUDICIAL SELECTION COMMISSION TO FILL U.S. DISTRICT COURT VACANCY
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) announced the formation of a Federal Judicial Selection Commission to make recommendations on candidates to fill a seat on the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii following Chief Judge Susan Oki Mollway's retirement from active service on November 6, 2015. The Commission consists of seven members with three members appointed by each senator and a chair jointly agreed on. Senator Schatz app… Continue Reading
March 16, 2015
HIRONO CONGRATULATES VICE ADMIRAL MANSON K. BROWN ON SENATE CONFIRMATION
Washington, D.C. -- Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement on the Senate's confirmation of Vice Admiral Manson K. Brown as the next Assistant Secretary for Environmental Observation and Prediction at the Department of Commerce. The Assistant Secretary also serves as the Deputy Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): "Vice Admiral Brown's dedication to public service and tireless leadership as displayed throughout his career demonstrates tha… Continue Reading
March 13, 2015
HIRONO & REID STAND UP FOR FAMILIES OF FILIPINO WORLD WAR II VETERANS
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Mazie K. Hirono and Harry Reid (D-NV) introduced the Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act today, a bill that would expedite the visa process for children of Filipino World War II veterans. These veterans were offered U.S. citizenship in recognition of their service, but this hard-earned benefit did not extend to their children. Thousands of families have been separated for decades because of this oversight. "Time is running out for the diminishing number of Fil… Continue Reading
March 11, 2015
HAWAII DELEGATION ANNOUNCES $47 MILLION IN EDUCATION FUNDING FOR LOCAL SCHOOLS
Washington, D.C. - The Hawaii Congressional Delegation today announced that the U.S. Department of Education (ED) will allocate over $47 million in Title I, Part A Grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) in Hawaii, Honolulu, Kauai, and Maui counties for school year (SY) 2015-2016. "Investing in our children's education is one of the best ways to help them reach their full potential. But too often, schools in underserved communities lack the necessary resources to make that happen," said U.… Continue Reading
March 11, 2015
HIRONO, MURKOWSKI & SCHATZ FIGHT TO PROTECT RESIDENTS & TRAVELERS IN NON-CONTIGUOUS STATES FROM INCREASED SECURITY FEES
Washington, D.C. - Senators Mazie K. Hirono, Lisa Murkowski, and Brian Schatz introduced legislation today that would exempt Hawaii, Alaska, and communities that rely on essential air service as subsidized by the U.S. Department of Transportation, from the increase in air travel fees included in the Bipartisan Budget Agreement of 2013. This exemption would protect interisland flights in Hawaii and intrastate flights in Alaska from increased air travel fees, which have more than doubled from $2.5… Continue Reading
March 06, 2015
ICYMI: ALOHA FOR SELMA: HIRONO, TAKAI TAKE LEI TO SELMA FOR MARCHERS
Washington, D.C. - This weekend, Senator Mazie K. Hirono and Congressman Mark Takai will travel to Alabama to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday. Selma On Saturday, Senator Hirono and Congressman Takai will join civil rights leaders, President Obama, and a bipartisan group of lawmakers in marching across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma. Senator Hirono and Congressman Takai plan to present flower lei to civil rights leaders commemorating the march, just as Rev. Abraham Akaka did … Continue Reading
