April State Work Period 2023

Aloha,

As your Senator, I’m working to expand access to quality education, support our military communities, and assist small businesses and entrepreneurs across Hawaii. This is work I’m focused on in Washington, D.C. and in Hawaii. During the April State Work Period, I held several events on Oahu and Kauai focused on education, veterans, small businesses, and more.

Visit to Waipahu Public Library

I started my week with a visit to the Waipahu Public Library, where I met with officials from the Hawaii State Public Library System and visited the Filipino WWII Veterans Monument. I learned about the important work Hawaii State Public Libraries are doing to help our keiki become lifelong learners and I read about the history and stories of Filipino veterans—including the long overdue Congressional Gold Medal they were awarded for their sacrifices and heroism.

Meeting with Veterans and Small Businessowners on Kauai

The following day, I was on Kauai to meet with local veterans and small businessowners. As a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I appreciated hearing directly from our veterans about the unique challenges they—and other veterans living on neighbor islands—face. I also visited Kauai Kookie and Kauai Sweet Shoppe to speak with businessowners about the federal support they’ve received and how their businesses are faring as we rebuild from the pandemic.

Visits to Local Businesses Ahead of "Hawaii on the Hill"

I joined Sherry Menor-McNamara, President and CEO of Chamber of Commerce (CoC) Hawaii, in visiting local businesses that will be participating in the Hawaii on the Hill event this summer in Washington, D.C. The event gives Hawaii businesses the opportunity to meet directly with federal policymakers while also showcasing their businesses and products to Members of Congress. As a member of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, I’m working to ensure these businesses, and all of Hawaii’s small businesses, get the federal funding and support they need to thrive and grow.

 
Visit to Red Hill Clinic

As a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Chair of the Subcommittee on Readiness & Management Support, I visited the Red Hill Clinic on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam to learn more about the care being provided to families and individuals impacted by the Red Hill fuel leaks. Protecting the health and safety of all of the impacted members of our community is a top priority and I’ll continue working to ensure those impacted get the health care they need now and in the future.

 
Planting Native Trees at Palisades Elementary School

After the clinic, I went to Palisades Elementary School to attend the launch of the Garden Club of Honolulu’s Native Plant Project. I’m proud to lead the Senate resolution marking April as Native Plant Month and during my visit, I planted a hala tree and a puakenikeni tree on the school’s campus in recognition of this important month. I enjoyed speaking with the very enthusiastic Palisades Elementary students about the importance of protecting native plants.

 
Visit to Kaimuki High School AVID Class

I also enjoyed visiting my alma mater, Kaimuki High School, to speak with students enrolled in an AVID (Advancement via Individual Determination) class. AVID is a nonprofit college-readiness program designed to help students develop the skills they need to be successful in college.

After a productive state work period, I look forward to returning to D.C. to continue advocating on behalf of our keiki, communities, and small businesses.

Mahalo,

Mazie K. Hirono
United States Senator