Hirono, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii Connect Hawaii Businesses with Congressional Leaders, Administration Officials, and National Policy Experts

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) and the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii today welcomed more than 100 members of Hawaii’s business community to Capitol Hill for the Fifth Annual Hawaii on the Hill Policy Summit. Hawaii business leaders representing a full range of industries – from hospitality, manufacturing, health care, transportation, and education – participated in the event.

“We started Hawaii on the Hill five years ago to give Hawaii businesses direct access to federal decision makers,” Senator Hirono said. “The Policy Summit is a great opportunity for participating businesses to make new connections, and I am grateful we have a record number of businesses joining us this year.”

“The Hawaii on the Hill Policy Summit continues to serve as a valuable resource for our participants,” said Sherry Menor-McNamara, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii President and CEO. “Having the opportunity to interact directly with leaders on issues from agriculture to our country’s relations with China provides unique insight for Hawaii’s business leaders.”

Senator Hirono, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii President Sherry Menor-McNamara, State Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi, Representative Colleen Hanabusa, and Representative Tulsi Gabbard kicked off the Policy Summit, which included remarks from and question and answer sessions with: 

Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, who spoke about the longstanding partnership between the Alaska and Hawaii Congressional delegations. 

Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, who spoke about energy innovation.

Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Chair of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower, who spoke about maritime security issues. 

Representative Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee and Co-Chair of the Joint Select Committee on Budget and Appropriations Process Reform, who spoke about the federal budget and appropriations process.

Lucian Niemeyer, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations, and Environment, spoke about the intersection of energy security and defense policy.

Allen Gutierrez, Associate Administrator of Small Business Administration’s Office of Entrepreneurial Development, spoke about small business development.

David Foster, Chief of Staff to Administrator Bette Brand of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service, spoke about federal resources available to support rural agriculture.

Scott Mulhauser, Founder of Aperture Strategies, Professor at Georgetown University, and Former Chief of Staff at U.S. Embassy Beijing, spoke about U.S.-China relations.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), closed out the Policy Summit by thanking Senator Hirono for her dedication representing Hawaii in the U.S. Senate, and took questions on how business leaders can continue their advocacy for Hawaii.