February State Work Period 2023

Aloha,

After a busy start to the 118th Congress, it was great to be home in Hawaii. During the February State Work Period, I held several events focused on supporting small businesses, workforce development, and maritime construction. Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke and I also hosted a roundtable discussion on the importance of expanding access to early education for keiki and families across Hawaii.

Breakfast at Rainbow Drive-In

I started my week by having breakfast at Rainbow Drive-In with franchise owner Rick Nakashima. We discussed federal funding his business received from the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)—and my work on the Senate Small Business Committee to continue supporting businesses and entrepreneurs across Hawaii.

Meeting with WorkHawaii Youth Program Students

After breakfast, I spoke with students participating in the WorkHawaii Youth Program (WHYP) at the new American Job Center on Oahu. The WHYP, made possible with federal funding, helps young adults from vulnerable backgrounds achieve their educational and employment goals. These students are building better lives for themselves and their families as they prepare to enter in-demand fields like construction, health care, and customer service.

Tour of General Dynamics HSI-Electric Boat Facility

I also visited the General Dynamics HSI-Electric Boat facility at Sand Island. From designing Navy submarines to maintaining key components of our energy infrastructure, the men and women I met are helping move Hawaii and our country forward, and I appreciated the opportunity to learn more about the work they do.

 
Meeting with DOD Leadership

As a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and newly appointed Chair of the Subcommittee on Readiness & Management Support, I’m working to advance military infrastructure projects across Hawaii and the country. I welcomed Under Secretary Mike McCord, Comptroller of the Department of Defense, to Hawaii to highlight the importance of strengthening and modernizing military infrastructure like pipelines, housing, and power lines across our state.

Child Care and Pre-K Roundtable with Lt. Governor Luke

Early education lays the groundwork for a lifetime of success—making our keiki more likely to succeed in school, earn higher wages, and live healthier lives. Currently, too many families in Hawaii are unable to find, or afford, quality early education. That is why Lt. Governor Sylvia Luke and I hosted a roundtable discussion with early childhood providers and experts to discuss the importance of early education. From developing the Hawaii Pre-Plus Program when I was Lt. Governor of Hawaii, to working in Congress to pass the Child Care for Working Families Act (CCWFA), expanding access to quality, affordable early education has long been a top priority of mine. I’ll keep working to ensure families in Hawaii can access the quality education our keiki deserve.

I look forward to building on the progress we made in 2022 and will continue advocating on behalf of students, small businesses, and families in Hawaii and across the country.

Mahalo,

Mazie K. Hirono
United States Senator