Press Releases

The National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) honored Senator Mazie K. Hirono for her advocacy on behalf of National Guard members and their families. NGAUS President Gus Hargett and Hawaii National Guard Adjutant General Joe Logan presented Senator Hirono with the Montgomery Medal, one of the organization’s highest...

Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement in remembrance of the September 11 attacks: “Fifteen years ago, our nation stood stunned as we learned about attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. Today, we again stand together, in memory of the thousands who were killed on September 11, and gratitude for the heroism of first...

Senators Mazie K. Hirono and Patty Murray (D-WA) called on Senate Republicans to stop stalling critical federal funding to fight the Zika virus. President Obama first sent an emergency funding request to Congress to address Zika in February. “It’s been nearly four months since the Senate overwhelmingly passed a compromise measure that...

Senator Mazie K. Hirono, for the third time, took to the Senate floor to call for the confirmation of Hawaii’s Clare Connors to Hawaii’s U.S. District Court, and other judicial nominees from courts across the country who have been waiting over a year for a floor vote. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) blocked Senator Hirono and other...

Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement in observation of Labor Day: “Today, as families in Hawaii and across the country celebrate Labor Day, we thank the generations of men and women who sacrificed for basic rights that we enjoy. Hawaii’s rich tradition of organized labor began more than 80 years ago, when the first...

Senator Mazie K. Hirono announced that Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Company employees displaced by the cessation of sugar production will continue to receive federal assistance through the U.S. Department of Labor’s Trade Adjustment Assistance program. Trade Adjustment Assistance was originally granted in March. That assistance is...

Senator Mazie K. Hirono applauded the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) for finalizing its decision to award Hawaiian Airlines a daytime slot to fly directly from Honolulu International Airport to Haneda Airport in Tokyo. Earlier this year, Senator Hirono worked with U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx to increase...

Senator Mazie K. Hirono took to Twitter to fire back at Donald Trump after his latest speech on immigration. As the only immigrant currently serving in the U.S. Senate, Senator Hirono has been the leading advocate for family unity in fixing our broken immigration system. As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee in the 113th Congress, she was...

Senator Mazie K. Hirono congratulated Dr. Richard Vuylsteke on his recent selection as the next president of the East-West Center. Dr. Vuylsteke will replace outgoing President Charles Morrison. “Dr. Vuylsteke’s previous experience at local institutions including the East-West Center, University of Hawaii, and Chaminade University,...

Senator Mazie K. Hirono, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and 18 of their colleagues expressed deep concern about EpiPen manufacture Mylan’s recent significant price hikes in a letter to its CEO Heather Bresch. The senators pressed the company about its decision to expand its patient discount program, which allows the company to sharply...

Senator Mazie K. Hirono announced a $2.1 million grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs for U.S.VETS – Barber’s Point, a Hawaii nonprofit organization dedicated to working with homeless and at-risk veterans. The Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) funding will go toward U.S.VETS programs to help Hawaii veterans and...

Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement in support of the President’s announced expansion of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument: “I congratulate and thank the President for taking the important step to be a global leader in protecting ocean resources. President Obama's efforts to enhance protections for our...

Senator Mazie K. Hirono and Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs Debra Wada toured Tripler Army Medical Center’s cancer clinic, maternity ward, and neonatal intensive care unit to learn more about the services offered to women service members and military families. “As more careers open to women serving in...

Senator Mazie K. Hirono highlighted how collaboration between the U.S. Army and Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) will help the state achieve its ambitious 100% renewable energy goal at the ground breaking ceremony for a new mixed biofuel power plant at Schofield Barracks today. HECO will operate the 50 megawatt power plant, which will serve Army...

Senator Mazie K. Hirono honored Maui County students who were finalists for the Daniel K. Inouye Innovation Award at Maui Economic Development Board’s 10th Annual Ke Alahele Education Fund Dinner.  The dinner also highlighted science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs in Hawaii schools. “For Hawaii and our nation to...

Senator Mazie K. Hirono toured the existing and new neonatal intensive care unit and pediatric intensive care unit at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children, and met with Hawaii Pacific Health Chief Executive Officer and President Ray Vara, Kapiolani Chief Executive Officer Martha Smith, and Kapiolani Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kenneth...

HONOLULU – Senator Mazie K. Hirono today hosted John Cabeca, Regional Director of the Silicon Valley U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), at an informational seminar to help small business owners and entrepreneurs in Hawaii navigate the patent and trademark process and protect their intellectual property. The High Technology Development...

HONOLULU – Senator Mazie K. Hirono today co-hosted an innovation showcase and roundtable discussion with top business, education, and government leaders to highlight entrepreneurial efforts in Hawaii as well as discuss how federal resources can fuel the growth of small business and spark innovation. The Small Business Administration Office of...

HONOLULU- Senator Mazie K. Hirono today welcomed 77 new American citizens from 26 countries during a naturalization ceremony at the Mission Memorial Auditorium on the grounds of Honolulu Hale. U.S. Chief Bankruptcy Judge for the District of Hawaii Robert Faris presided over the proceedings. Addressing the new citizens shortly after they took their...

KAHULUI- Senator Mazie K. Hirono today chaired a Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee hearing at Maui High School on increasing opportunities for women, minorities, and other underrepresented groups in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. Senator Hirono heard from national experts at the National Science...