Press Releases
HIRONO PRAISES AWARDING OF PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM TO SENATOR DANIEL K. INOUYE
Washington, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono praised President Obama's announcement today that he is awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Senator Daniel K. Inouye. The award is one of the highest civilian awards bestowed in the United States, along with the Congressional Gold Medal, which Inouye previously received for his World War II service as a member of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. Inouye has also received the U.S. military's highest award, the Medal of Honor. "Mahalo to Presid… Continue Reading
August 06, 2013
HIRONO BRINGS FEDERAL OFFICIALS TO HELP HAWAII SMALL BUSINESSES INCREASE EXPORTS AND CREATE JOBS
Honolulu, HI - More than 60 Hawaii small business leaders attended a workshop held by Senator Mazie K. Hirono and the Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im Bank) of the United States aimed at boosting the exports of local small businesses. During the session, members of the Ex-Im Bank briefed small business owners on how their agency can help businesses increase the number of goods and services they export to other countries, break into foreign markets and find foreign buyers. "I was pleased to see so many… Continue Reading
August 01, 2013
HIRONO PRAISES HISTORIC CONFIRMATION OF RAYMOND CHEN TO FEDERAL APPELLATE COURT
Washington, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono today praised the confirmation of Raymond Chen as United States Circuit Judge for the Federal Circuit. Chen becomes the first Asian Pacific American (APA) on the federal circuit in over 25 years as well as the first Taiwanese American on a federal appellate court. Hirono presided over the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing for Chen's nomination. Chen was unanimously confirmed. "Congratulations to Ray Chen on his confirmation," Hirono said. "It was a pr… Continue Reading
July 31, 2013
HIRONO TO HOST WORKSHOP TO HELP HAWAII SMALL BUSINESSES EXPORT GOODS & SERVICES, GROW HAWAII’S ECONOMY
Honolulu, HI - Senator Mazie K. Hirono announced that she is partnering with the Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im Bank) of the United States to offer a free workshop for Hawaii's business community. The Export-Import Bank is a government agency that helps American businesses increase the number of goods and services they export to other countries. The event will be held on Tuesday, August 6 at the Neil Blaisdell Center in Honolulu and will provide small businesses with important resources and informati… Continue Reading
July 30, 2013
HIRONO PRAISES CONFIRMATION OF PRESIDENT OBAMA’S NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD NOMINEES
Senator Mazie K. Hirono praised the confirmation of President Obama's nominees to run the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the entity that arbitrates federal disputes between workers and management. "Over the past month, we've seen a lot of progress in the Senate for working families," Hirono said. "We have confirmed a Department of Labor Secretary and nominees to the National Labor Relations Board who respect workers' desire to join together to protect their rights on the job. Today mark… Continue Reading
July 30, 2013
HIRONO MEETS WITH DHHL CHAIR, VOWS CONTINUED FEDERAL SUPPORT FOR NATIVE HAWAIIANS
Washington, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono expressed her continued commitment to affordable housing for Native Hawaiian families during a meeting today with Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) Chair Jobie Masagatani. "I appreciate the opportunity to meet with Chair Masagatani and express my continued commitment to both affordable housing for Native Hawaiian families and continuing our trust responsibility to this indigenous population. It is important that the federal government and DHHL w… Continue Reading
July 29, 2013
SENATOR HIRONO CELEBRATES HAWAII NO LONGER BEING AT “HIGH RISK” OF LOSING $75 MILLION IN EDUCATION FUNDING
Washington, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) removed the state's Race to the Top grant from "high risk" status. This means the state is no longer at "high risk" of losing $75 million in federal education funding through the U.S. Department of Education's Race to the Top reform initiative. "This is tremendous news for Hawaii's students, parents, and teachers," said Hirono. "Our work is not over, but this announcement … Continue Reading
July 26, 2013
MAZIE K. HIRONO REMEMBERS KOREAN WAR VETERANS ON ANNIVERSARY OF ARMISTICE
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono, a member of the Armed Services and Veterans' Affairs committees, remembered those who served in the Korean War. Tomorrow marks the 60th anniversary of the armistice that ended one of the bloodiest wars in American history."This weekend, I ask all Hawaii residents to remember those brave Americans who served alongside our allies sixty years ago to defend our freedom and stop the spread of communism in Korea. Some have dubbed the conflict 'the forgotten … Continue Reading
July 25, 2013
SENATOR MAZIE HIRONO AND THE EXPORT-IMPORT BANK OF THE UNITED STATES INVITE YOU TO ATTEND THE EXPORTER FORUM
Senator Mazie Hirono and the Export-Import Bank of the United StatesInvite You to Attend the Exporter Forum EXPORTER FORUMTuesday, August 6, 20139:30 AM to 12 Noon Neal S. Blaisdell Center777 Ward AvenueHonolulu, HI To view the full invitation, please click here.… Continue Reading
July 24, 2013
HIRONO VOTES AGAINST PLAN TO LOCK-IN HIGH STUDENT LOAN INTEREST RATES, VOTES FOR MEASURES THAT WOULD KEEP BORROWING COST LOW FOR HAWAII STUDENTS
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono today voted against a Senate plan that would lock-in major interest rate hikes on federal student loans for the long term. While the plan - known as the the Student Loan Certainty Act - would keep rates low in 2013, it would allow student loan interest rates to balloon over the next two to four years to even higher rates than if Congress did nothing. In addition, the higher long-term interest rates would force students to pay an extra $715 million to th… Continue Reading
July 24, 2013
HIRONO, VETERANS’ AFFAIRS COMMITTEE APPROVE EIGHT BILLS THAT HELP HAWAII VETS FIND JOBS, GET BETTER CARE & HOUSING
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono and her Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee colleagues voted to approve eight bills today that aim to help jobless vets find employment opportunities, improve assistance for homeless vets, improve care for female vets and keep benefits pegged to increases in the cost of living. The committee also approved three Hirono proposals that make it easier for Native Hawaiian vets and those who live on Hawaii Island to access programs that help veterans, as well … Continue Reading
July 23, 2013
HIRONO UNVEILS PROPOSALS THAT HELP HAWAII VETERANS
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The day before the Veterans' Affairs Committee considers eight bills that would have major impacts on vets across America, Senator Mazie K. Hirono filed three amendments designed to specifically help vets in Hawaii access federal veterans' programs. Two of Hirono's amendments would help unemployed Native Hawaiian and Hawaii Island veterans access programs to help get jobs. Another Hirono amendment would ensure that Native Hawaiian-serving organizations are eligible to be consi… Continue Reading
July 23, 2013
HIRONO ANNOUNCES $6.7 MILLION IN UPGRADES AT HONOLULU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT THAT WILL HELP SUPPORT HAWAII'S BOOMING VISITOR INDUSTRY
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono today announced $6.7 million in federal funds for Honolulu International Airport. The U.S. Department of Transportation grant will fund the replacement of 12 existing passenger loading bridges in the Main Overseas Terminal that are outdated and have reached the end of their useful lives. "Honolulu International Airport is Hawaii's main connection to the mainland and the rest of the world," Hirono said. "Today's federal investment will help the airport … Continue Reading
July 23, 2013
HIRONO SPEAKS IN SUPPORT OF NATIVE HAWAIIANS DURING CONGRESSIONAL ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN CAUCUS MEETING WITH PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA AT THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono met today with President Barack Obama at the White House during a meeting with the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC). Hirono specifically spoke up in support of initiatives that help Native Hawaiians. Other issues addressed by CAPAC included issues like education and immigration reform that impact Hawaii and Asian American and Pacific Islander communities across the country. "I was pleased to have this opportunity to speak with Presid… Continue Reading
July 22, 2013
HIRONO MEETS WITH FEDERAL APPEALS COURT NOMINEE NINA PILLARD, A STRONG ADVOCATE FOR WOMEN'S RIGHTS
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono met today with Cornelia "Nina" Pillard, Georgetown University Law Center professor and President Obama's nominee to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Hirono will participate in Pillard's confirmation hearing this Wednesday. The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, often referred to as the nation's "second highest court," is widely viewed as a stepping stone to the U.S. Supre… Continue Reading
July 18, 2013
AT FIRST ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS HEARING, HIRONO DETAILS HOW CLIMATE CHANGE IS ALREADY HAVING A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON HAWAII
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono warned that climate change is already having a significant impact on Hawaii and without coordinated government action will greatly harm the state's well-being in the future during a hearing held by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. At the hearing, titled "Climate Change: It's Happening Now," climate scientists and other experts testified on how climate change is already having an effect on U.S. weather patterns which in turn is leading … Continue Reading
July 12, 2013
HAWAII COFFEE GROWERS, OFFICIALS PRAISE HIRONO EFFORTS TO FIGHT COFFEE BERRY BORER
After Senator Mazie K. Hirono and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) unveiled the first major federal initiative targeting the coffee berry borer yesterday, coffee growers and agriculture leaders across Hawaii praised the new program and Hirono's leadership in fighting in the pest. As Hawaii News Now and many other outlets reported yesterday, USDA agreed to set up the program after Hirono urged the agency to make fighting the highly destructive invasive species a top priority. "It… Continue Reading
July 11, 2013
HIRONO, USDA ANNOUNCE FIRST MAJOR FEDERAL INITIATIVE TO FIGHT COFFEE BERRY BORER
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Senator Mazie K. Hirono and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) unveiled the first major federal initiative today to fight the coffee berry borer that has been ravaging Hawaii Island coffee farms for almost three years. The project, a new arm of the USDA's integrated pest management program, will be a scientifically-based approach to fighting the invasive species. In the immediate term, USDA will spend an initial $1 million to set-up the Hawaii operation. "Th… Continue Reading
July 10, 2013
HIRONO AGAIN VOTES TO KEEP STUDENT LOAN INTEREST RATES LOW FOR HAWAII STUDENTS
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono today voted to keep federal student loan interest rates low after they doubled due to congressional inaction on July 1. The Keep Student Loans Affordable Act, which failed to break a filibuster by Senate Republicans, would have restored lower rates for a year without adding to the deficit by closing tax loopholes. The Republican alternative proposal would saddle borrowers with more debt by permanently tying loans to market hikes. "Last week, more than … Continue Reading
July 09, 2013
HIRONO APPLAUDS NOMINATION OF FORMER INOUYE AIDE WITH DEEP HAWAII TIES TO COMMERCE DEPARTMENT LEADERSHIP
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono today applauded President Obama's nomination of Hawaii-raised Margaret Cummisky to be Assistant Secretary for Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs at the U.S. Department of Commerce: "President Obama has made an excellent choice in nominating Margaret Cummisky, a well-experienced and knowledgeable leader with deep Hawaii ties, to this important position at the Commerce Department. Margaret served both the state and Senator Inouye in a number of ca… Continue Reading
