Press Releases
HIRONO JOINS FAMOUS “NUN ON THE BUS,” FAITH LEADERS, WOMEN’S GROUPS AND RESTAURANT WORKER TO PUSH FOR RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA) joined religious leaders, women's advocates and minimum wage workers at a press conference today to urge Republicans to support raising the minimum wage to $10.10 per hour, which would lift the wages of 15 million American women. Nearly two-thirds of those earning the minimum wage are women, and a single mother working full-time in a minimum wage job to support her children earns just $15,000 per year-below the pov… Continue Reading
March 04, 2014
HIRONO COMMENDS OBAMA BUDGET THAT TAKES SIGNIFICANT STEPS TO CLOSE OPPORTUNITY GAP
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono commended the budget released today by President Obama. The budget addresses key Hirono priorities including early learning and immigration reform. "The President's Budget takes significant steps to close the opportunity gap by supporting middle class families and those working to get into the middle class. This is a broad plan that strengthens our economy by investing in our workforce at all stages of learning - starting with funding for high quality … Continue Reading
February 26, 2014
ON HEELS OF HONOLULU CONSULATE ANNOUNCEMENT, HIRONO INTRODUCES BIPARTISAN NEW ZEALAND VISA BILL TO SPUR ECONOMIC GROWTH, JOB CREATION
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced the bipartisan Encouraging Trade and Investment from New Zealand Act, legislation to extend eligibility for trade (E-1) and investor (E-2) temporary entry visas to New Zealand, to promote trade and investment in the United States. The bill is also supported by original cosponsors Senators John McCain (R-AZ), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Patty Murray (D-WA). U.S. citizens are already eligibl… Continue Reading
February 21, 2014
HIRONO HOSTS SENATOR DURBIN ON HAWAII MILITARY BASE TOURS
HONOLULU, HI - Senator Mazie K. Hirono spent the beginning of her week hosting Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) for meetings with military leaders and defense industry partners in Hawaii. Both Senators met with Admiral Samuel Locklear, the commander of U.S. Pacific Command and the service component commanders for the Pacific. They discussed diverse topics from humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to energy security and military readiness. Their discussion reinforced the importance of Hawaii's m… Continue Reading
February 19, 2014
HIRONO APPLAUDS EFFORT BY DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO REESTABLISH LOAN GUARANTEES FOR ISLAND HOMES WITH RAINWATER CATCHMENT SYSTEMS
HONOLULU - U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) today applauded the decision by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to resume issuing loan guarantees on homes in the state of Hawaii that utilize rainwater catchment systems. The move comes three years after the VA halted the practice of guaranteeing this type of home loan when it determined private rainwater catchment systems are not regulated by the Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) and therefore could not meet the VA's minimum property … Continue Reading
February 12, 2014
HIRONO VOTES TO SAFEGUARD MILITARY RETIREES
WASHINGTON, D.C. -Senator Mazie K. Hirono voted today to restore the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for military retirees. The measure, which is similar to legislation Hirono cosponsored, heads to President Obama for his signature. "This bipartisan bill restores military retiree COLA - and keeps the promise we made to our brave servicemembers," said Hirono. "The bill being sent to the President shows that both parties can work together to achieve common, important goals. I hope we can contin… Continue Reading
February 12, 2014
HIRONO STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF KENNETH BROWN
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement on the passing of former Hawaii state senator Kenneth Francis Kamuokalani Brown: "The passing of Kenneth Brown is a tremendous loss to our island community. Through a lifetime of service, entrepreneurship and stewardship, Kenny left an indelible mark on our state. Whether serving as a state senator, the head of his own business or a board member of some of Hawaii's most prominent companies as well as non-profit organiza… Continue Reading
February 06, 2014
HIRONO, MORAN & BEGICH INTRODUCE BILL TO EXPAND ACCESS TO NATIVE HAWAIIAN ADULT EDUCATION
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Mark Begich (D-AK) introduced the Native Adult Education and Literacy Act, legislation that would increase educational access to Native communities by awarding competitive grants for Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) and Native Hawaiian Education Organizations (NHEOs). Hirono announced the legislation on Thursday to Native education advocates at the National Indian Education Association Legislative Summi… Continue Reading
February 06, 2014
AHEAD OF SEXUAL ASSAULT VOTE EXPECTED ON SENATE FLOOR NEXT WEEK, BIPARTISAN GROUP OF SENATORS, SURVIVORS, ADVOCATES CONTINUE PUSH FOR INDEPENDENT MILITARY JUSTICE SYSTEM
Washington, D.C. - As the U.S. Senate prepares for an expected vote on the bipartisan Military Justice Improvement Act next week, a strong bipartisan coalition continued the push earlier today for an independent, objective and unbiased military justice system. U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Dean Heller (R-NV), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), and Ted Cruz (R-TX), together with Jeremiah Arbogast, advocat… Continue Reading
February 04, 2014
HIRONO STATEMENT ON NEW PUNCHBOWL CEMETERY DIRECTOR
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement in reaction on the selection of James Horton by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to serve as the director of the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl, effective March 9, 2014: "Congratulations to Mr. Horton on being selected to oversee Punchbowl. As the only national cemetery in Hawaii, with more than five million visitors each year, Punchbowl plays a critical role in honoring the service a… Continue Reading
January 31, 2014
HIRONO STATEMENT ON HOUSE REPUBLICAN IMMIGRATION REFORM PRINCIPLES
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement in reaction to the immigration reform principles unveiled by House Republicans on Thursday: "Clearly, House Republicans recognize that we have a broken immigration system and that they should be part of the solution, rather than continuing to sit on the sidelines. Their recently unveiled principles on immigration reform give me hope that they will take action toward the kind of comprehensive reform that will not only st… Continue Reading
January 29, 2014
HIRONO APPLAUDS MEASURE TO FIGHT COFFEE BERRY BORER IN FARM BILL
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono announced that the 2014 Farm Bill includes a measure to fight the coffee berry borer that has been ravaging Hawaii Island coffee farms for almost three years. The bill was passed by the House today and is expected to receive a vote in the Senate this week. Hirono had worked with Senate and House Agriculture committees to include language that lays the groundwork for a long-term federal investment to fight the borer. Hawaii Island coffee growers praised … Continue Reading
January 27, 2014
HAWAII, ALASKA DELEGATIONS FIGHT TO PROTECT TRAVELERS FROM INCREASED SECURITY FEES
Washington, D.C. - The Hawaii and Alaska congressional delegations today introduced legislation 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 December's budget deal. This exemption would protect interisland flights from increased air travel fees, which would more than double from $2.50 to $5.60. The legislation was introduced in the Senate by Senators Ma… Continue Reading
January 17, 2014
HIRONO COMMENDS VA FOR PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT OF OPEN PUNCHBOWL GRAVE SITES
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono commended the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announcement today that it plans to more broadly communicate the availability of open grave sites at Punchbowl's National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. "Secretary Shinseki's leadership has been critical in helping to resolve this situation at Punchbowl. Our conversation was productive, and today's announcement is good news," said Hirono. "The decision to publicly announce the availability of in-grou… Continue Reading
January 16, 2014
HIRONO, UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII PROMOTE IN-STATE TUITION FOR DREAM ACT STUDENTS
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono joined today with Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and U.S. Representatives Jared Polis (D-CO) and Joaquin Castro (D-TX) to introduce the Investing IN States To Achieve Tuition Equity (IN-STATE) for DREAMers Act of 2014. Under this bill, the University of Hawaii system would be eligible for federal funding as part of a new $750 million initiative to reward states like Hawaii that offer in-state tuition and need-based financial aid to qualified students regar… Continue Reading
January 16, 2014
APPROPRIATIONS DEAL INCLUDES HIRONO’S INITIATIVES TO EXPAND EARLY EDUCATION, PROTECT HAWAII FARMERS, SUPPORT VETERANS
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono commended the bipartisan appropriations deal passed by Congress this week. The 2014 omnibus spending bill would fund the government through the remainder of the fiscal year and includes several key measures for Hawaii. "This bipartisan bill is a true compromise and includes hard-fought provisions that will benefit Hawaii," said Hirono. "I am pleased the Appropriations Committee took into consideration some of Hawaii's key priorities, from expanding pre… Continue Reading
January 15, 2014
HIRONO ANNOUNCES CLASS OF 2018 NOMINEES TO U.S. SERVICE ACADEMIES
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono today announced her nomination list of 32 students to the U.S. military service academies for the Class of 2018. The students' applications are now being considered by the four academies for final selections. The four military service academies are: the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. U.S. Representatives and Senators submit nominations to the four service academies. Each … Continue Reading
January 08, 2014
HIRONO COMMENDS NOMINATION OF CHRIS LU TO SERVE AS DEPUTY SECRETARY OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono commended the nomination today of Chris Lu to serve as Deputy Secretary of the Department of Labor. "Chris Lu is a strong, experienced choice to serve as Deputy Secretary of the Department of Labor. I've had the privilege of getting to know Chris through our work with the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and civil rights organizations such as OCA. I am confident he will promote the interests of working families as a key f… Continue Reading
December 19, 2013
HIRONO ATTACHES KEY MEASURES FOR HAWAII TO DEFENSE BILL THAT HEADS TO PRESIDENT OBAMA
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono, a member of the Senate Armed Services and Veterans' Affairs committees, voted today to pass the Fiscal Year 2014 National Defense Authorization Act and send it to President Obama for his signature. The bill provides more than $400 million in military construction projects in Hawaii. Military installations including Fort Shafter, Pearl Harbor and Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe will receive funds. Hirono also worked with Republican colleagues to att… Continue Reading
December 18, 2013
HIRONO VOTES TO PASS BIPARTISAN BUDGET DEAL THAT REMOVES THREAT OF GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN, EASES PAIN OF SEQUESTRATION
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono voted today in support of the bipartisan budget deal that passed the Senate by a vote of 64-36. The bill now heads to President Obama for his signature. "This budget demonstrates Congress can work together in a bipartisan fashion and break the gridlock. I am proud to join the large majority of my colleagues to move our country forward. While not perfect, this budget agreement contains many measures that will benefit Hawaii and our nation. Individuals a… Continue Reading
