Press Releases
HIRONO ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $3.1 MILLION FOR HAWAII ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND OCEAN MANAGEMENT EFFORTS
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono announced the release of more than $3.1 million from the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for Hawaii environmental research, education and ocean management efforts. Funds will support the Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System, University of Hawaii Marine Option Program, Pacific International Center for High Technology Research and Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources. "As one of the most biodiverse places in the world an… Continue Reading
May 08, 2014
HIRONO VOTES TO CONFIRM HAWAII-RAISED EXECUTIVE, PUNAHOU GRADUATE TO SERVE AS U.S. REPRESENTATIVE TO UNITED NATIONS IN GENEVA
Washington, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono today voted to confirm Pamela Hamamoto to serve as U.S. Representative to the United Nations Office at Geneva with the rank of Ambassador. Hamamoto is a Punahou School graduate and has served in numerous executive roles in financial and educational institutions. Hamamoto was confirmed by voice vote. "Congratulations to Pamela Hamamoto on her confirmation to serve our nation as U.S. Representative to the United Nations Office at Geneva," Hirono said. "P… Continue Reading
May 06, 2014
HIRONO CONGRATULATES HAWAII STATE SENATOR JILL TOKUDA ON ‘CHAMPION FOR CHARTERS’ AWARD
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono issued the following statement congratulating Hawaii State Senate Education Committee chairwoman, Jill Tokuda, on receiving a 'Champion for Charters' award this evening. "Access to education can make all the difference in the lives of our keiki," said Senator Hirono. "I consider Jill a dear friend and am so pleased that her hard work to improve education for all students is being recognized today. In 2012, Jill's task force on charter school governance… Continue Reading
May 06, 2014
HIRONO FIGHTS TO PROTECT STUDENTS FROM DEBT
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono joined Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) today to introduce the Bank on Students Emergency Loan Refinancing Act, which would allow those with outstanding student loan debt to refinance at the lower interest rates currently offered to new borrowers. Many borrowers with outstanding student loans have interest rates of 6.8 percent or higher for undergraduate loans, while students taking out new undergraduate loans before July 1 will pay a rate of 3.86 percen… Continue Reading
May 05, 2014
HIRONO, GABBARD ANNOUNCE $1 MILLION IN FUNDS TO FIGHT THE COFFEE BERRY BORER
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono, Representative Tulsi Gabbard and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced $1 million to help combat the coffee berry borer that has been ravaging Hawaii Island coffee farms for almost four years.The funding will be distributed through the Integrated Pest Management (IMP) Program at USDA and be divided between Hawaii ($700,000) and Puerto Rico ($300,000). The program is a scientifically-based approach to fighting invasive species. … Continue Reading
May 02, 2014
HIRONO COMMENDS NOMINATION OF ST. ANDREW’S PRIORY GRADUATE, FORMER AKAKA STAFFER TO DOD LEADERSHIP
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono today applauded President Obama's nomination of Hawaii-raised Debra Wada to be Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs at the Department of Defense: "I commend President Obama for nominating Debra Wada to serve as Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs at the Department of Defense. Ms. Wada's extensive background and professional experience on issues of national defense make her a strong nominee. Ms. W… Continue Reading
May 01, 2014
HIRONO CELEBRATES ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement to mark the first day of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, which is an opportunity to recognize the contributions and achievements of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI). "Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is a celebration of the contributions made by Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) across the country and throughout our history. The broader AAPI community has been an integral part of Hawa… Continue Reading
April 30, 2014
HAWAII SENATORS ANNOUNCE NEARLY $3.6 MILLION FOR PEARL HARBOR SHIPYARD IMPROVEMENTS
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Brian Schatz (D-HI) announced the release of an additional $3.576 million to keep Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard modernization moving forward. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), who succeeded Senator Daniel K. Inouye as chairman of the powerful Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, recently toured Pearl Harbor with Senators Hirono and Schatz. "As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I have fought to ensure Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyar… Continue Reading
April 16, 2014
ON ANNIVERSARY OF SENATE IMMIGRATION BILL INTRODUCTION, HIRONO CALLS ON HOUSE TO TAKE ACTION
Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement on the one-year anniversary of the introduction of S.744, the Senate's immigration reform bill: "One year ago, my Senate colleagues and I came together to introduce a comprehensive bill to address our broken immigration system, which we passed with overwhelming bipartisan support," said Hirono. "Not only would our bill strengthen our economy and reduce the deficit, but it would also help real people by bringing millions of families out of… Continue Reading
April 11, 2014
HIRONO ANNOUNCES NEARLY $8.7 MILLION FOR WORKFORCE TRAINING
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono announced nearly $8.7 million in federal funds for job training, including skills assessments, job-search and resume help, long-term job-training programs and apprenticeships in Hawaii. The State of Hawaii's Workforce Development Division operates One-Stop Centers on Oahu, Hawaii Island, Maui and Kauai, using public-private partnerships and collaborations to provide job-training services. "We should do all that we can to assist individuals who a… Continue Reading
April 08, 2014
SENS. HIRONO, LEE, KIRK & KLOBUCHAR INTRODUCE JOB-CREATING VISA WAIVER BILL
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Mike Lee (R-UT), Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced the bipartisan Subnational Visa Waiver Program Act, legislation that will create jobs by boosting foreign travel and tourism to the United States. The bill grants the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, the authority to consider subnational territories currently treated separately from their countries under U.S. law for particip… Continue Reading
April 08, 2014
HIRONO ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $10.7 MILLION FOR HAWAII HOMELESSNESS REDUCTION EFFORTS
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono announced more than $10.7 million in federal funds for Hawaii homelessness reduction programs. This investment is part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Continuum of Care Program, which supports programs including street outreach, client assessment and housing assistance. Hawaii organizations receiving funding include: City and County of Honolulu, Hawaii Department of Human Services, Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, Unit… Continue Reading
April 01, 2014
SENS. HIRONO, REED, WHITEHOUSE AND REP. HINOJOSA INTRODUCE BILL TO EXPAND PELL GRANTS, HELP YEAR-ROUND STUDENTS
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) introduced the Pell Grant Protection Act, legislation that preserves and expands access to Pell Grants. Congressman Ruben Hinojosa (D-TX), the Ranking Democrat on the House Subcommittee for Higher Education and Workforce Training, introduced the companion bill in the U.S. House. Pell Grants have not kept up with rising college costs and this bill helps low-income students by converting Pell … Continue Reading
March 27, 2014
HIRONO TO CHAIR JUDICIARY SUBCOMMITTEE
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) on Thursday announced that Senator Mazie K. Hirono will become chair of the Subcommittee on Oversight, Federal Rights and Agency Action. The subcommittee was created at the beginning of the 113th Congress to provide oversight and review of agency rulemaking and agency action. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), who currently chairs the subcommittee, is stepping down to take over a gavel on another committee. Hirono, … Continue Reading
March 26, 2014
HIRONO URGES HOUSE TO ACT ON IMMIGRATION REFORM, SUPPORTS DISCHARGE PETITION
Senator Mazie K. Hirono commended House Democrats for introducing a discharge petition to demand a vote on the bipartisan immigration bill passed by the Senate. "It's been nearly a year since the Senate came together to pass a bipartisan immigration reform bill, a true compromise that will strengthen our economy and reduce the deficit. Each day that the House doesn't act, millions remain trapped in the shadows of a broken system and families are being kept apart. I urge my former House colleagu… Continue Reading
March 26, 2014
EXPEDITED TAX RELIEF AVAILABLE NOW FOR CHARITABLE GIVING TO THE PHILIPPINES
Late last night, President Obama signed into law Senator Mazie K. Hirono's Philippines Charitable Giving Assistance Act, which is intended to spur donations to charitable organizations by providing expedited tax relief for Americans contributing to Typhoon Haiyan recovery efforts in the Philippines. Taxpayers can claim donations made between now and April 15 on their 2013 tax returns instead of waiting until next year to claim them on their 2014 returns. Taxpayers who have already filed their ta… Continue Reading
March 24, 2014
BIPARTISAN PHILIPPINES CHARITABLE GIVING ASSISTANCE ACT ON THE WAY TO PRESIDENT OBAMA FOR SIGNATURE
This evening, the House of Representatives passed legislation sponsored by Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Dean Heller (R-NV), Harry Reid (D-NV), and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) that provides expedited tax relief for Americans making charitable donations in support of Typhoon Haiyan recovery efforts in the Philippines. The bill was sponsored in the U.S. House of Representatives by Eric Swalwell (D-CA) and Mike Thompson (D-CA). The bipartisan Philippines Charitable Giving Assistance Act is intended t… Continue Reading
March 13, 2014
CHILD CARE BILL PASSES SENATE WITH HIRONO’S MEASURES FOR NATIVE HAWAIIAN CHILDREN
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the United States Senate passed the bipartisan Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 2014, legislation that includes Senator Mazie K. Hirono's measures for Native Hawaiian children. The bill updates and improves the Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG) program created in 1990, which provides states with federal funding to help low-income families afford child care while working or in job training programs. "More than 9,000 children in Hawaii are able to a… Continue Reading
March 07, 2014
HIRONO COMMENDS PRESIDENT OBAMA’S HUD NOMINATION OF TWO WOMEN WITH HAWAII TIES
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono applauded the nominations of Nani A. Coloretti and Erika Moritsugu to positions within the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Ms. Coloretti was nominated for the position of Deputy Secretary, and Ms. Moritsugu was nominated for the position of Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations. "I congratulate Nani on her nomination as the Deputy Secretary at the Department of Housing and Urban Development. It's always… Continue Reading
March 07, 2014
SENATE UNANIMOUSLY PASSES HIRONO, HELLER, REID, MENENDEZ BIPARTISAN PHILIPPINES CHARITABLE GIVING ASSISTANCE ACT
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Yesterday evening, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed legislation sponsored by Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Dean Heller (R-NV), Harry Reid (D-NV), and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) that provides expedited tax relief for Americans making charitable donations in support of Typhoon Haiyan recovery efforts in the Philippines. The bipartisan Philippines Charitable Giving Assistance Act is intended to spur donations to charitable organizations by allowing taxpayers who donate to the re… Continue Reading
