Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Brian Schatz, Senator Mazie K. Hirono and Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard announced today that Maui has been awarded a grant of technical assistance through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities program. The County of Maui will receive assistance to create a green...

Washington, D.C. -- Senator Mazie K. Hirono today joined her Senate colleagues in calling for the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). For almost two decades, this critical legislation has saved lives and helped domestic violence victims seek justice. While the Senate is expected to pass the VAWA reauthorization with...

Washington, D.C. -- Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement in celebration of the 20th anniversary of President Clinton’s signing of the Family and Medical Leave Act: “When my family immigrated to this country, my mother worked odd jobs to support us. Like many workers in that era, she worried that if she ever got sick,...

Met With Secretary of Defense Nominee Chuck Hagel Senator Hirono talked with the Honolulu Star-Advertiser about her one-one meeting with the Secretary of Defense nominee, Senator Chuck Hagel, as well as potential defense cuts that could impact Hawaii.  "As a member of the Armed Services Committee, I will do everything I can to emphasize the...

Washington, D.C. -- Senator Mazie K. Hirono was selected to serve on three subcommittees on the Judiciary Committee today. Hirono will serve on the Subcommittee on Immigration, Refugees and Border Security; Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights; and Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology and the Law. These committees will...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Mazie K. Hirono, Senator Brian Schatz, and Representative Tulsi Gabbard announced today that Hawaii will receive more than $1 million to expand and improve the Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery in Kaneohe. The funds come from a grant administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The grant will help the state...

Washington, D.C. -- Senator Mazie K. Hirono joined her U.S. Senate colleagues in celebrating the 4th anniversary of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act by submitting remarks for the Congressional Record today. Hirono took the opportunity to call for passage of the Paycheck Fairness Act, a measure that would force employers who pay women employees less...

Washington, D.C. -- Senator Mazie K. Hirono today announced hiring two experienced defense and military experts with island ties for her legislative team. Nick Ikeda, a former aide to Senator Akaka and Department of Defense expert, and retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Walter Kaneakua, a former aide to Senator Inouye, will make up Hirono's...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee that will oversee immigration reform legislation, released the following statement reacting to today's bipartisan agreement on the principles of immigration reform: "I'm glad to see that there is bipartisan agreement among my colleagues regarding the...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono, a member of the Senate Committee on Armed Services, released the following statement reacting to reports that Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is removing the military’s ban on women serving in combat:   "Today's news is a great step toward equality. These restrictions that block women...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement today to recognize the 40th anniversary of the landmark Roe v. Wade decision:   “Roe v. Wade was a monumental decision for women in this country. One of my first political actions as a college student was writing a letter to my members of Congress that...

Washington, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono today released the following statement in celebration of President Obama’s inauguration:    “I join the people of Hawaii in sending our aloha to our island son, President Obama, as he begins his second term. We in Hawaii are especially proud and happy for the president's re-election....

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, which will be observed on Monday, January 21:   “Dr. King moved the nation to stand up against intolerance and fight injustice, and the people of Hawaii have a unique understanding of Dr. King’s dream. We...

Washington, D.C. – Senator Mazie K. Hirono today announced two senior members of her Hawaii U.S. Senate staff. Betsy Lin will serve as Chief of Staff and Jadine Nielsen as Acting State Director. Nielsen will also lead the search for a permanent State Director. Hirono today also released formal job descriptions for the State Director,...

Washington, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono today released the following statement regarding the announced closing of the Kapolei Tesoro refinery: “The closing of the Kapolei refinery, one of only two refineries in Hawaii, is terrible news for the state and the workers who will lose their job because of this action. “I will work closely...

Washington, D.C. - Just days after securing a seat on the powerful Senate Armed Services Committee that will conduct the confirmation hearings for Secretary of Defense, Senator Mazie K. Hirono today released the following statement regarding President Obama's nomination of former Republican Senator Chuck Hagel to serve as Secretary of...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement after being assigned to the Senate Committee on Armed Services: "I am honored to serve on the Senate Committee on Armed Services. Hawaii is home to the US Pacific Command and thousands of men and women who serve our country in the armed forces. Our...

Washington, DC - Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement after being sworn in as Hawaii’s United States Senator: “Today is about the people of Hawaii, and I am honored to serve as a strong voice for our state in the United States Senate. Now more than ever, we need leaders in Washington who are focused on...