Press Releases
SENATOR HIRONO APPLAUDS PRESIDENT OBAMA FOR EXECUTIVE ORDER ON IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono, the only immigrant serving in U.S. Senate, released the following statement on President Barack Obama's executive order on immigration enforcement. "This is a big step toward bringing millions out of the shadows to help strengthen our economy and our national security. Every President since Dwight Eisenhower, Democrats and Republicans alike, has exercised executive action on immigration. President Obama is no different in this move." Said Senator Hir… Continue Reading
November 18, 2014
SENATOR HIRONO ONCE AGAIN VOTES TO BLOCK EXPEDITED KEYSTONE PIPELINE CONSTRUCTION
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono today released the following statement after voting against the expedited construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline. The bill failed on a 59-41 vote as 60 were needed for passage. "The fact remains that we as a country should refocus our efforts on developing truly clean and renewable energy that will create jobs and long term economic stability for small businesses and our economy. Climate change and further dependence on fuels that produce greenhous… Continue Reading
November 18, 2014
MIKULSKI, STABENOW TOGETHER WITH BIPARTISAN SENATE WOMEN CALL ON FEDERAL HEALTH LEADERS TO PRIORITIZE COMBATING WOMEN’S HEART DISEASE
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.) and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) today were joined by a bipartisan group of Senate women including U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Mary Landrieu (D-La.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) in announcing that they have called on federal health leaders to prioritize combating heart disease, whi… Continue Reading
November 17, 2014
SENATOR HIRONO COMMENDS PASSAGE OF CHILD CARE BILL WITH MEASURES FOR NATIVE HAWAIIAN CHILDREN
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono today voted in favor of the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Act of 2014. The Senate passed the bill by a bipartisan vote of 88-1. The bill updates the 1990 CCDBG program, which provides federal funding to states to help parents afford child care while working or in job training programs. The measure now heads to the White House for President Obama's signature. "For some parents, not having access to quality child care means they can't wo… Continue Reading
November 12, 2014
SENATOR HIRONO APPLAUDS U.S.-CHINA AGREEMENT TO REDUCE CARBON EMISSIONS
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono today applauded the joint announcement by President Barack Obama and People's Republic of China President Xi Jinping on the issue of climate change with an agreement to significantly reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced by each nation. "This announcement demonstrates bold leadership from the United States and China, the world's two largest economies and emitters of carbon emissions, and makes clear that we do not need to choose betw… Continue Reading
November 10, 2014
SENATOR HIRONO PRAISES AWARDING OF PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM TO HAWAII CONGRESSWOMAN PATSY T. MINK
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono praised today's announcement that President Barack Obama has posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Hawaii Congresswoman Patsy T. Mink. Among Congresswoman Mink's numerous accomplishments during her decades of public service, she is most widely known for being one of the principal authors of Title IX, the federal law that protects students from gender discrimination in federally supported education programs and activities. Signed int… Continue Reading
November 10, 2014
SENATOR HIRONO APPLAUDS ANNOUNCEMENT OF 10-YEAR VISAS BETWEEN THE U.S. AND CHINA
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono today applauded President Obama's announcement that the U.S. and China have agreed to mutually extend the validity period for travel visas between the two countries. Beginning this November 12, the maximum validity of short-term tourist and business visas will increase from one to ten years, and the maximum validity of student and exchange visas will increase from one to five years. In July 2013, Senator Hirono led a bipartisan letter to urge Secretary… Continue Reading
October 31, 2014
SENATOR HIRONO STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF ROBERT RICHARDS MIDKIFF
HONOLULU - Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement on the passing of Hawaii business leader and philanthropist, Robert Richards Midkiff. "I am saddened to learn of the passing of my longtime friend, Bob Midkiff. Bob was a true champion for early education in Hawaii. He and I worked together on this key issue because we both recognized that a sound education, starting from preschool, lays the foundation for a child's success in school and in life. "With the passing of Bob Midki… Continue Reading
October 29, 2014
U.S. POSTAL SERVICE UNVEILS PUNA LAVA FLOW CONTINGENCY PLANS
The United States Postal Service issued the following update for Hawaii Island residents affected by the lava flow: The Pahoa Post Office will remain open for business as long as it can operate without jeopardizing the safety or security of our postal employees, our customers and the mail. U.S. Postal Service (USPS) management is in close contact with Hawaii County civil defense authorities and managers of potentially affected Hawaii island Post Offices. Contingency plans are being guided by … Continue Reading
October 22, 2014
SBA OFFERS DISASTER ASSISTANCE TO HAWAII RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES AFFECTED BY TROPICAL STORM ISELLE
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to Hawaii residents and business owners affected by Tropical Storm Iselle that occurred August 7 - 9, 2014, U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet announced today. SBA acted under its own authority to declare a disaster following the October 16 denial of the state's appeal for a major disaster declaration. The disaster declaration makes SBA assistance available in Hawaii County. "The … Continue Reading
October 17, 2014
HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS: BE AWARE, ALERT AND READY
With Hurricane Ana bearing down on the Hawaiian Islands, I urge everyone to remain alert to the weather conditions and be prepared for potentially severe weather. While Hurricane Ana is expected to remain south of the main Hawaiian Islands, it still is a dangerous tropical storm which will bring heavy rains and possible thunderstorms, strong winds and high surf. Everyone must stay vigilant as we receive regular updates on the storm. Below are safety guidelines from the National Oceanic and At… Continue Reading
October 16, 2014
HIRONO CONVENES SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE HEARING TO STRENGTHEN COLLABORATION BETWEEN CIVILIAN AND MILITARY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICE PROVIDERS
HONOLULU - Senator Mazie K. Hirono today chaired a Senate Judiciary Committee field hearing titled, "Accessing Support: How the Violence Against Women Act Serves Hawaii Military Families Experiencing Domestic Violence." The hearing focused on how to best coordinate and utilize resources and services for military families experiencing intimate partner abuse. The hearing coincides with "Domestic Violence Awareness Month" and the 20th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). At the fi… Continue Reading
October 10, 2014
HIRONO ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $3.5 MILLION IN GRANTS TO SUPPORT RESEARCH AT UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII
HONOLULU - Senator Mazie K. Hirono today announced more than $3.5 million in grant awards to the University of Hawaii (UH) for the UH Sea Grant College Program and for Asia-Pacific research and scholarships. The UH Sea Grant College Program has received more than $1.6 million in federal support from the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for research and programming to understand the effects of climate change on coral reefs and oceans, groundwate… Continue Reading
September 30, 2014
HIRONO, SCHATZ ANNOUNCE OVER $3 MILLION FOR NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS IN HAWAII
HONOLULU - Senators Mazie K. Hirono and Brian Schatz today announced U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) grants totaling $3,110,862 to seven Hawaii organizations to support programs that promote asset building, financial literacy and child care for indigenous communities. "This funding allows non-profit organizations to provide needed services to indigenous families," said Senator Hirono, who shared today's announcement with conferees at the 13th Annual Council for Native Hawaiia… Continue Reading
September 30, 2014
RELEASE: HIRONO, SCHATZ ANNOUNCE $3 MILLION FOR VETERAN HOMELESSNESS RELIEF
HONOLULU - Senators Mazie K. Hirono and Brian Schatz today announced $3 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to help end veteran homelessness in Hawaii. "Safe, affordable housing is a basic necessity. Finding and keeping a job, supporting a family, and living a secure life without a place to call home is a major challenge for too many of our Hawaii veterans. We must do better for our veterans in need," said Senator Hirono, member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Co… Continue Reading
September 29, 2014
HIRONO ANNOUNCES NEARLY $10 MILLION FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGE CAREER TRAINING
HONOLULU - Senator Mazie K. Hirono today announced the U.S. Department of Labor has awarded nearly $10 million in grant funding to seven community colleges in Hawaii as part of the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAA C3T) initiative. This is the fourth and final installment of the $2 billion initiative aimed at creating and supporting new job training partnerships between community colleges, local businesses, and state workforce training systems. "By the time … Continue Reading
September 25, 2014
HIRONO APPLAUDS PRESIDENT OBAMA’S EXPANSION OF PACIFIC REMOTE ISLAND MARINE NATIONAL MONUMENT
HONOLULU - Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement applauding President Barack Obama's proclamation to significantly expand the Pacific Remote Island Marine National Monument. The expansion will create the largest marine reserve in the world. The President's directive aims to protect close to 490,000 square miles from overfishing and other unsustainable practices. "President Obama's executive order to protect a greater expanse of the Pacific Remote Island Area illustrates his … Continue Reading
September 24, 2014
HIRONO SUPPORTS BILL TO BOOST RESOURCES FOR COASTAL COMMUNITIES IN HAWAII
Last week, Senator Mazie K. Hirono co-sponsored the Digital Coast Act, which will authorize the next phase in coastal mapping at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Coastal mapping provides current data and training to enable coastal communities to make critical planning decisions and better protect and sustain natural resources. "Protecting Hawaii's coastal areas is critical to our environment and economy," said Hirono. "The Digital Coast Act will allow NOAA to continue… Continue Reading
September 22, 2014
HIRONO APPLAUDS NOMINATION OF ADMIRAL HARRIS TO COMMANDER OF U.S. FORCES IN THE PACIFIC
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement on the nomination of Admiral Harry Harris to the post of Commander of the United States Pacific Command. "Admiral Harris' distinguished career of service to our country and strong leadership displayed in his current role as commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet demonstrates that he will excel in his new role as Pacific Commander. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Co… Continue Reading
September 18, 2014
HIRONO STATEMENT ON AUTHORIZATION TO TRAIN AND EQUIP SYRIANS TO FIGHT ISIL
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono today voted in favor of a stopgap spending bill to fund the government through December 11th, which includes authorization for the Obama Administration to train and equip moderate Syrians to fight against ISIL. Hirono issued the following statement: "The President, Secretary Hagel, and Chairman Dempsey have made a strong case regarding the threat ISIL presents to the Middle East, Europe, and our nation. I share many Americans' concerns about ISIL's gro… Continue Reading
