Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) awarded the appropriated amount under Fiscal Year 2013 for Honolulu’s rail project today. Both the Senate and House approved the funding in March. “Today’s rail funding announcement demonstrates the...

Washington, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono took today to the Senate floor in support of a bipartisan bill that would help promote energy efficiency in Hawaii and around the country. The Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act would help states reduce our nation’s CO2 emissions while also saving taxpayers money by making the federal...

Washington, D.C. - Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono announced that $7,485,000 in U.S. Department of Transportation funding is coming to Hawaii to improve its inter-island ferries. The funding will be used to support ferries from Kaunakakai, Manele, and Maalaea small boat harbors, located on Molokai, Lanai, and Maui respectively. “Connecting our...

Washington, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono today announced seven Hawaii educational and community institutions will receive nearly $3 million for Native Hawaiian career and technical education programs from the U.S. Department of Education. These projects will be directed by Alu Like, Inc., a private, non-profit service organization that assists...

Here is what folks in Hawaii are saying after Senator Mazie K. Hirono announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will lift its ban on Hawaii Sharwil avocado shipments to the mainland. Hirono led efforts among her delegation colleagues to get the USDA to lift the ban, a goal long-sought by Senator Dan Inouye: “Move...

Washington, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono announced today the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will lift a ban on Hawaii Sharwil avocado shipments to the mainland. Earlier this year, Hirono wrote and sent a letter – signed by Hawaii’s congressional delegation – urging the USDA to lift its 1992 ban, arguing that...

Washington, D.C. – On the 12th anniversary of the September 11 attack, Senator Mazie K. Hirono commemorated those who lost their lives. Earlier this summer, Senator Hirono joined a bipartisan group of colleagues in paying her respects at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City, and this morning, she joined her...

Washington, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono commended President Obama today for selecting Hawaii’s Esther Kiaaina to serve as Assistant Secretary for Insular Areas at the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI). “Congratulations to Esther on her selection as DOI Assistant Secretary for Insular Areas,” Hirono said. “Esther has a...

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement on President Obama's speech on Syria. "This evening, President Obama presented the facts to consider as we contemplate action in Syria. Clearly, the situation is changing rapidly. The reopening of diplomatic dialogue between Syria and the international community is a hopeful...

Washington, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono announced that Hawaii will receive more than $21 million in key transportation funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). More than $10 million in funding will be used to rehabilitate a runway at Honolulu International Airport, $3 million will be used to make storm safety improvements at...

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement on the developing situation in Syria: "Authorizing the use of force is one of the most serious and consequential decisions a Member of Congress can make. Over the next 48 hours, I will be attending three classified briefings – one at the White House, one with...

Senator Mazie K. Hirono announced that the Kalaeloa Airport on Oahu will receive $2 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation to renovate hangar facilities for general aviation use. The renovated hangar will be able to safely accommodate up to 20 aircraft. “The Kalaeloa Airport plays a diverse and important role, serving the U.S....

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement on proposed Congressional action in response to the use of chemical weapons in Syria: "This is one of the toughest decisions a Member of Congress makes. I am reviewing the facts surrounding the reported chemical weapon attacks, the administration's plan and the scope of the...

Honolulu, HI – Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement commemorating Labor Day: “As families in Hawaii and around the nation celebrate Labor Day weekend, we should all recognize the greater meaning behind this holiday. Generations of working men and women have struggled and organized to build and protect the middle...

Honolulu, HI – Senator Mazie K. Hirono, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, will join a national defense-focused congressional delegation next week to China, Japan and South Korea. The bipartisan group includes Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Representatives Grace Meng (D-NY), Dan Benishek (R-MI) and Terri Sewell (D-AL)....

Honolulu, HI – Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. “Fifty years ago, Americans joined on the National Mall to peacefully stand up against intolerance and injustice....

Honolulu, HI – Senator Mazie K. Hirono, the first Japanese immigrant to serve in the Senate and Co-Chair of the Congressional Study Group on Japan, discussed her childhood in Japan and stressed the importance of the Hawaii-Japan relationship in an interview featured in Japan Airlines’ (JAL) Eheu in-flight magazine. The piece is running...

Waimanalo, HI – Senator Mazie K. Hirono toured Hawaii Pacific University’s (HPU) new Oceanic Learning Center Annex. This center will help Oceanic Institute, an HPU affiliate research organization, provide workforce training for the development of the aquaculture industry, specifically training of laboratory technicians from Hawaii and...

Honolulu, HI – Senator Mazie K. Hirono commended the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) announcement yesterday that flight attendants will be covered under Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) workplace protections. OSHA protections cover such on-the-job hazards as dangerous chemicals and blood-borne pathogens....

Kaneohe, HI – Senator Mazie K. Hirono joined Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel today during his stop at Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe. Before the event, Hirono, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, urged the Secretary to address Hawaii’s base infrastructure issues and discussed the military’s rebalance to the...