Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Congressman Ted Deutch (D-Fla.) re-introduced the Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act, a bill that strengthens Social Security and improves benefits while restoring fairness to Social Security contributions. “Social Security is the cornerstone for retirement and a safety net...

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) announced today that Hawaii will receive $715,000 from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to fund activities critical to the effective management and protection of Hawaii’s coral reefs. “Coral reefs are an important part of Hawaii’s marine environment...

Hirono Announces Lease Agreement After Meeting with New VA Pacific Islands Health Care System Director  Hirono Had Advocated for Quick Approval of Lease Agreement After Meeting with Maui Veterans in February WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Mazie K. Hirono, a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, announced that the U.S....

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) announced today that community health centers on the island of Oahu will receive nearly $3 million from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for the expansion of health services. The health centers receiving funding include Waimanalo Health Center and Kokua Kalihi Valley...

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) today announced over $90,000 in grant funding from the Native American Native Hawaiian Museum Services Program to promote Native Hawaiian education and cultural practices in Hawaii. The funding will support initiatives by the Hula Preservation Society (HPS) and Papahana Kuaola...

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Seapower Subcommittee, heard from former Reagan administration officials today on the impacts of President Regan’s expansion of the Navy in light of current efforts to increase the size of the Navy’s fleet to 355 from 308. The...

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) announced today that Hawaii will receive $6,125,363 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to increase the state’s ability to prepare and respond to potential public health threats. “Our experience fighting Zika, dengue, and other diseases has taught us...

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) announced today that Hawaii will receive $492,800 in federal funding to enhance state preparedness and response efforts to address complex coordinated terrorist attacks. “We must remain vigilant to threats from terrorism including homegrown extremism and lone wolf style attacks, but many...

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Senators Mazie K. Hirono, Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and Al Franken (D-Minn.) demanded the security clearance of White House Senior Advisor Jared Kushner be immediately suspended, pending a review of newly revealed information about Kushner’s contacts with Russian lobbyists and government-linked agents. Following the...

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono announced that India has been officially added to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Global Entry Program, which means that Indian citizens can now apply for expedited customs clearance for visiting the United States. Senator Hirono led a bipartisan letter to encourage the U.S. Department of...

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) today announced that Hawaii will receive over $2 million in funding from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to enhance airport operations and runway safety at the Lihue, Kahului, and Molokai airports. “The safety of our traveling public is critical to the well-being of the people of...

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Senator Mazie K. Hirono, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement on Judge Derrick Kahala Watson’s ruling that expands the types of family members covered under the Supreme Court’s exemption from the President’s Muslim ban: “The Muslim ban, and how the Trump...

WASHINGTON, D.C.- In a new video, Senator Mazie K. Hirono, health care leaders from across the state, and the people they serve highlighted the devastating impact that Trumpcare would have on communities across the state. “Health care is a right, not a privilege for those who can afford it,” said Senator Hirono. “Hawaii residents...

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Senator Mazie K. Hirono, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today focused her line of questions to Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Nominee Christopher Wray on his meetings with the President and administration officials. Senator Hirono questioned his ability to act...

WASHINGTON, D.C.– The Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee heard testimony in support of S. 683, Senator Mazie K. Hirono’s bipartisan Keeping Our Commitment to Disabled Veterans Act. Sen. Hirono’s bill would extend an expiring requirement under law that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provide...

WASHINGTON, D.C.-- Senator Mazie K. Hirono, a member of the Senate Committee on Armed Services and Ranking Member of the Seapower Subcommittee, secured key priorities that encourage renewable energy investment, and support America’s strategic interests in the Indo-Asia-Pacific in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year...

WASHINGTON, D.C.-- Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement on the arrest of a Hawaii soldier with alleged ties to ISIL:  “During my meeting earlier today with the nominee to serve as our next FBI director, I reiterated my ongoing concern about homegrown extremism and lone wolf style attacks.  “Although we are...

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Senator Mazie K. Hirono, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, pressed Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Nominee Christopher Wray on his commitment to supporting the independent investigation into Russian interference with the 2016 election and fighting hate crimes. Senator Hirono will have further opportunity...

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) announced today that the University of Hawaii’s Sea Grant College Program (Hawaii Sea Grant) will receive over $1 million in federal funding to support ongoing coastal and marine research, extension, and outreach projects in Hawaii. Administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric...

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) today announced $22,357,301 million in funding for affordable housing and community development programs through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The funding is comprised of allocations from the following programs: Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), HOME...