Press Releases
HIRONO, SCHATZ VOTE TO CONFIRM DEBRA WADA TO DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE LEADERSHIP POSITION
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Mazie K. Hirono and Brian Schatz voted today to confirm Debra Wada's nomination to be Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs at the Department of Defense (DoD). Wada was confirmed unanimously by voice vote. "I look forward to working with someone who is from and understands Hawaii in this role at the Department of Defense," said Hirono. "Debra's extensive national defense background and D.C experience has made her an integral part of the com… Continue Reading
September 15, 2014
SCHATZ, HIRONO, GABBARD ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $1 MILLION FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN HAWAII
Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), and Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) announced more than $1 million in federal funding for programs aimed to incentivize and further generate economic growth, innovation and entrepreneurship. "Investing in programs that spur innovation and boost startup businesses is one of the best ways to create jobs," Senator Schatz said. "These investments will give UH and state agencies the resources to develop b… Continue Reading
September 11, 2014
HIRONO, SCHATZ ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $20 MILLION FOR NATIVE HAWAIIAN EDUCATION
Washington, D.C. - Senators Mazie K. Hirono and Brian Schatz today announced grants to programs and institutions of higher education that serve Native Hawaiian communities, from preschool through college and career training. Projects will support vital needs such as kindergarten readiness; Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education; Native Hawaiian culture and language; and college success. "Congratulations to the grantees who are working to prepare Native Hawaiian students a… Continue Reading
September 10, 2014
HIRONO, SCHATZ ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $1 MILLION FOR PUPUKEA MAUKA WATERSHED PROJECT
Washington, D.C. - Senators Mazie K. Hirono and Brian Schatz today announced Hawaii will receive more than $1 million for the Pupukea Mauka Watershed and Habitat Protection Project. This funding will help foster partnerships between the state government and private landowners or conservation groups to protect the habitats of threatened wildlife. "The Pupukea Mauka Watershed and Habitat Protection Project is an example of the partnership that is needed to protect the habitat of Hawaii's endanger… Continue Reading
September 04, 2014
HIRONO URGES ELIGIBLE SMALL BUSINESSES HURT BY TROPICAL STORM ISELLE TO APPLY FOR SBA EMERGENCY LOANS
HONOLULU - Senator Mazie K. Hirono is urging eligible small, nonfarm businesses in Hawaii County that suffered significant economic damage due to Tropical Storm Iselle to apply for newly announced federal emergency loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). This SBA support follows today's announcement from U.S. Department of Agriculture that provides access to emergency loans for affected area farmers. "Tropical Storm Iselle caused extensive damage to Hawaii Island companies. Num… Continue Reading
September 04, 2014
HIRONO APPLAUDS DISASTER DECLARATION TO HELP HAWAII FARMERS
HONOLULU -- Senator Mazie K. Hirono today applauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Secretarial disaster designation for Hawaii County which will allow farmers to access emergency loans in the wake of the destruction caused last month by Tropical Storm Iselle. "Much of East Hawaii's agricultural sector including papayas, macadamia, coffee, and the floriculture and nursery industry sustained damage from Tropical Storm Iselle. The most severe loss was to papaya farmers. An estimated… Continue Reading
August 19, 2014
HIRONO HEARS FROM HAWAII VETERANS, QUESTIONS VA OFFICIALS ON HEALTH CARE IN HAWAII
HIRONO HEARS FROM HAWAII VETERANS, QUESTIONS VA OFFICIALS ON HEALTH CARE IN HAWAII At Hawaii Field Hearing Hirono Questions VA Officials on Patient Wait Times, Listens to Hawaii Veterans' Health Care Access Issues HONOLULU - Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono chaired the first Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing on veterans' health issues outside of Washington, D.C. since the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Phoenix scandal broke. At the hearing, Hirono heard directly from Hawaii veter… Continue Reading
August 15, 2014
HIRONO ANNOUNCES OVER $16 MILLION FOR HILO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
HONOLULU - Senator Mazie K. Hirono today announced the award of $16.8 million in federal funds to the State of Hawaii for the construction of the Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) Building at Hilo International Airport. This funding will be used to help Hilo airport meet federal safety requirements and extend the life of ARFF equipment by protecting it from adverse weather conditions. "Hawaii's people and businesses rely on safe, efficient air transportation and today's announcement fr… Continue Reading
August 14, 2014
RESOURCES FOR HURRICANE RECOVERY
Residents Needing AssistanceAffected families on Hawaii Island needing assistance from volunteers can call (808) 464-3175 between the hours of 8am and 4pm. Anyone looking to volunteer their services is also encouraged to call that number. To Report Damage Hawaii residents can call (808) 935-0031 to report damage and (808) 961-8790 for any emergency water concerns. The number for the HELCO help line is (808) 969-6666. Federal Disaster Assistance for Farmers and Agricultural Producers Non-In… Continue Reading
August 05, 2014
HIRONO ANNOUNCES $4 MILLION GRANT FOR REHABILITATION OF KALAELOA AIRPORT HANGAR
HONOLULU - Senator Mazie K. Hirono today announced the award of a $4 million Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grant to continue the ongoing rehabilitation of Hangar 110, the only large capacity hangar available for general aviation use, at Kalaeloa Airport (John Rodgers Field) on Oahu. This FAA Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grant will fund Phase III of the project's five phases, which includes improvements to exterior utilities such as water and sewer lines, electrical work, hazardous m… Continue Reading
August 01, 2014
HIRONO ANNOUNCES $12.3 MILLION TO SUPPORT NATIVE HAWAIIAN HEALTH CARE CENTERS
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Mazie K. Hirono today announced the award of $12,339,016 in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services grant funding to support Native Hawaiian health care centers across Hawaii. These grants are essential to the continued operation of Native Hawaiian health care centers, enabling them to pay for rent, salaries, various overhead, as well as assist in providing medications for qualified patients. "Native Hawaiian health care centers are a crucial thread in the fabric o… Continue Reading
July 31, 2014
HIRONO VOTES TO PASS BIPARTISAN VETERANS LEGISLATION AND EXTEND HIGHWAY FUNDING
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Mazie K. Hirono today voted to pass two major bills to help improve access to health care for our nation's veterans and also continue key funding that improves and strengthens Hawaii roads while supporting 6,896 jobs in the islands. The Senate's passage of H.R. 3230, the Veterans' Access to Care Act, and H.R. 5021, the Highway and Transportation Funding Act, sends both of these important bills to President Obama for his signature. Both bills passed on strong bipartisa… Continue Reading
July 30, 2014
HIRONO APPLAUDS CONFIRMATION OF ERIKA MORITSUGU
Senator Mazie K. Hirono applauded the confirmation of Erika Moritsugu for the position of Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Moritsugu was confirmed by voice vote. "I've known Erika and her family for many years and it's no surprise that she has been confirmed as the Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations at HUD," said Hirono. "She has committed her career to publi… Continue Reading
July 28, 2014
HIRONO ATTACHES KEY WINS FOR HAWAII IN BIPARTISAN VETERANS DEAL
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono, a member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Conference Committee, today announced a bipartisan compromise agreement between the Senate and House on legislation to reform the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs delivery of health care to ensure quality, timely health care for veterans. In the compromise deal, which will be voted on this week, Hirono secured funding for the planned VA Leeward Outpatient Healthcare Access Center, allowing veterans access to… Continue Reading
July 23, 2014
SENATOR HIRONO WELCOMES HAWAII BUSINESSES TO FIRST-EVER HAWAII ON THE HILL
Washington, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono will welcome more than 30 Hawaii businesses and vendors to the United States Capitol on Wednesday, July 23 for the first-ever Hawaii on the Hill, which consists of the Hawaii on the Hill Policy Summit and Taste of Hawaii On Capitol Hill reception. Senator Hirono will serve as an honorary guest, alongside the entire Hawaii delegation. The following Hawaii companies will be represented at the Hawaii Policy Summit, which will feature policy discussions wi… Continue Reading
July 11, 2014
HIRONO, JUDICIARY COMMITTEE APPROVE MEASURE TO HELP CURB UNLIMITED CORPORATE SPENDING IN POLITICS
Washington, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, voted today to approve a constitutional amendment to help curb unlimited corporate spending in elections. Hirono forcefully rebutted Republican arguments by presenting the historical precedence for amending the U.S. Constitution in order to improve our democracy, including voting rights for women, African Americans and the poor. "Congress and the States have amended the Constitution since the Bill of Rights,… Continue Reading
July 11, 2014
WOMEN SENATORS CALL ON PRESIDENT TO HUMANELY ADDRESS SURGE OF UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN AT THE BORDER
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) called on President Barack Obama to humanely address the surge of unaccompanied children at the Southern U.S. Border. The Senators' letter notes that the Administration's response to this crisis must consider the humanitarian and legal rights of the unaccompanied children. The letter to the President reads in part, "The United States has always been a lead… Continue Reading
July 01, 2014
HIRONO STATEMENT ON U.S. SUPREME COURT HOBBY LOBBY DECISION
HONOLULU - Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement denouncing today's U.S. Supreme Court Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., decision that allows corporations to exclude contraceptive coverage from their employees' health care insurance plans: "In yet another sharply divided 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court in the Hobby Lobby case expanded a religious exemption to allow 'closely held corporations' to withhold contraceptive coverage for employees based on the religious beliefs o… Continue Reading
June 27, 2014
HIRONO RENEWS PUSH FOR IMMIGRATION REFORM ONE YEAR AFTER BIPARTISAN SENATE BILL PASSES
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement on the one-year anniversary of the passage of S.744, the Senate's immigration reform bill: "Today marks one year since the Senate came together on a bipartisan basis to pass a comprehensive immigration reform bill. As our country waits for the House to act, countless families remain torn apart, millions of hardworking people remain in the shadows and thousands of unaccompanied children have risked their lives to cross t… Continue Reading
June 26, 2014
HIRONO VOTES TO CONFIRM ESTHER KIAAINA
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono voted today to confirm Hawaii's Esther Kiaaina as Assistant Secretary for Insular Areas at the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI). Kiaaina was confirmed unanimously by voice vote. Hirono had previously introduced Kiaaina's nomination during a Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources hearing last November. "The Senate's overwhelming support for Esther's nomination speaks to her strong qualifications to serve as DOI Assistant Secretary for Ins… Continue Reading
