Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Mazie K. Hirono today voted in favor of the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Act of 2014. The Senate passed the bill by a bipartisan vote of 88-1. The bill updates the 1990 CCDBG program, which provides federal funding to states to help parents afford child care while working or in job training...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Mazie K. Hirono today applauded the joint announcement by President Barack Obama and People's Republic of China President Xi Jinping on the issue of climate change with an agreement to significantly reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced by each nation. "This announcement demonstrates bold...

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono praised today’s announcement that President Barack Obama has posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Hawaii Congresswoman Patsy T. Mink. Among Congresswoman Mink’s numerous accomplishments during her decades of public service, she is most widely known for being one of the...

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Senator Mazie K. Hirono today applauded President Obama’s announcement that the U.S. and China have agreed to mutually extend the validity period for travel visas between the two countries. Beginning this November 12, the maximum validity of short-term tourist and business visas will increase from one to ten...

HONOLULU – Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement on the passing of Hawaii business leader and philanthropist, Robert Richards Midkiff. “I am saddened to learn of the passing of my longtime friend, Bob Midkiff. Bob was a true champion for early education in Hawaii. He and I worked together on this key issue...

The United States Postal Service issued the following update for Hawaii Island residents affected by the lava flow: The Pahoa Post Office will remain open for business as long as it can operate without jeopardizing the safety or security of our postal employees, our customers and the mail. U.S. Postal Service (USPS) management is in close contact...

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to Hawaii residents and business owners affected by Tropical Storm Iselle that occurred August 7 - 9, 2014, U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet announced today.  SBA acted under its own authority to declare a...

With Hurricane Ana bearing down on the Hawaiian Islands, I urge everyone to remain alert to the weather conditions and be prepared for potentially severe weather.  While Hurricane Ana is expected to remain south of the main Hawaiian Islands, it still is a dangerous tropical storm which will bring heavy rains and possible thunderstorms, strong...

HONOLULU – Senator Mazie K. Hirono today chaired a Senate Judiciary Committee field hearing titled, “Accessing Support: How the Violence Against Women Act Serves Hawaii Military Families Experiencing Domestic Violence.” The hearing focused on how to best coordinate and utilize resources and services for military families...

HONOLULU – Senator Mazie K. Hirono today announced more than $3.5 million in grant awards to the University of Hawaii (UH) for the UH Sea Grant College Program and for Asia-Pacific research and scholarships. The UH Sea Grant College Program has received more than $1.6 million in federal support from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s...

HONOLULU – Senators Mazie K. Hirono and Brian Schatz today announced U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) grants totaling $3,110,862 to seven Hawaii organizations to support programs that promote asset building, financial literacy and child care for indigenous communities. “This funding allows non-profit organizations to...

HONOLULU – Senators Mazie K. Hirono and Brian Schatz today announced $3 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to help end veteran homelessness in Hawaii. “Safe, affordable housing is a basic necessity. Finding and keeping a job, supporting a family, and living a secure life without a place to call home...

HONOLULU – Senator Mazie K. Hirono today announced the U.S. Department of Labor has awarded nearly $10 million in grant funding to seven community colleges in Hawaii as part of the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAA C3T) initiative. This is the fourth and final installment of the $2 billion initiative...

HONOLULU – Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement applauding President Barack Obama’s proclamation to significantly expand the Pacific Remote Island Marine National Monument. The expansion will create the largest marine reserve in the world. The President’s directive aims to protect close to 490,000 square miles...

Last week, Senator Mazie K. Hirono co-sponsored the Digital Coast Act, which will authorize the next phase in coastal mapping at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Coastal mapping provides current data and training to enable coastal communities to make critical planning decisions and better protect and sustain natural...

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement on the nomination of Admiral Harry Harris to the post of Commander of the United States Pacific Command. “Admiral Harris’ distinguished career of service to our country and strong leadership displayed in his...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Mazie K. Hirono today voted in favor of a stopgap spending bill to fund the government through December 11th, which includes authorization for the Obama Administration to train and equip moderate Syrians to fight against ISIL. Hirono issued the following statement: “The President, Secretary...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senators Mazie K. Hirono and Brian Schatz voted today to confirm Debra Wada’s nomination to be Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs at the Department of Defense (DoD). Wada was confirmed unanimously by voice vote. "I look forward to working with someone who is from and understands Hawaii in...

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), and Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) announced more than $1 million in federal funding for programs aimed to incentivize and further generate economic growth, innovation and entrepreneurship. “Investing in programs that spur innovation and...

Washington, D.C.  – Senators Mazie K. Hirono and Brian Schatz today announced grants to programs and institutions of higher education that serve Native Hawaiian communities, from preschool through college and career training. Projects will support vital needs such as kindergarten readiness; Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math...