Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) introduced a resolution today to recognize July 28, 2017, as World Hepatitis Day 2017, and to encourage the elimination of viral hepatitis. “Millions of Americans live with viral hepatitis, including nearly ten percent of all Asian American and Pacific Islanders who live with...

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Senator Mazie K. Hirono introduced a measure to protect Americans living with pre-existing conditions from the devastating effects of Senate Republicans’ health care bill. More than 590,000 adults in Hawaii live with pre-existing conditions that could keep them from accessing affordable health care under the Republican...

WASHINGTON, D.C. –Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) today introduced the Keeping Our Commitment to Overseas Veterans Act to extend an expiring provision under law that allows the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to operate the VA Regional Office and Outpatient Clinic in Manila, Philippines. The introduction of Senator Hirono’s...

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement following the motion to proceed vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act: “Today’s vote was disappointing, but our fight to save the Affordable Care Act is only beginning. Any proposal Senate Republicans come up with will kick millions off of their health care and...

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) today announced that Hawaii will receive more than $1.6 million in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) funding to increase airport safety and operations at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. “Hawaii’s residents and visitors depend on safe, reliable, and efficient air...

Hawaii Farmers Can Immediately Add Designation to Their Products WASHINGTON, D.C.- The Hawaii Congressional Delegation applauded the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval of a petition that certifies that eating macadamia nuts can help reduce the risk of coronary heart disease under certain circumstances. The approval of the petition...

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...