Hirono To Welcome Hawaii Businesses To Washington For Second Annual Hawaii On The Hill

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Senator Mazie K. Hirono will welcome Hawaii businesses to the U.S. Capitol for the second annual Hawaii on the Hill. Hawaii on the Hill is hosted by Chamber of Commerce Hawaii and consists of the Hawaii on the Hill Policy Summit and Taste of Hawaii on Capitol Hill reception. In 2014, 50 Hawaii businesses participated in the two-day event and approximately 1,000 people attended the Taste of Hawaii on Capitol Hill.   

“This week, I will welcome over 100 Hawaii residents that have traveled nearly 5,000 miles to represent Hawaii businesses and showcase Hawaii’s food, culture, and industries,” said Senator Hirono. “For the second annual Hawaii on the Hill, I’m proud to team up with the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii to share so many great things that our state has to offer including spam musubi, pineapple, coffee, chocolate, and more. But it’s not all food—representatives from our energy, manufacturing, defense, technology, health, higher education, military, transportation, agriculture, technology, insurance, and tourism industries will also attend the Taste of Hawaii on Capitol Hill and the Hawaii on the Hill Policy Summit to highlight the wide variety of industries in our island state. This week will focus on how as the gateway to the Asia-Pacific, Hawaii is so much more than a visitor destination—we are an integral part of our national security, a stronghold for renewable energy innovation, and a place where some of our country's best produce is grown.”

“The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii is proud to lead the effort to bring Hawaii to Washington, D.C.  for the second annual Hawaii on the Hill,” said Chamber of Commerce Hawaii President Sherry Menor-McNamara. “The Hawaii-based companies that will be in Washington this week are diverse and ready to share our Aloha spirit across the world. The Hawaii on the Hill Policy Summit and Taste of Hawaii on Capitol Hill are great opportunities for Hawaii businesses, and our state as a whole, to interface with Congressional leaders and industry representatives and showcase our state’s pride, melting pot cuisine, customs, industries and ideas.”

During Wednesday’s Hawaii on the Hill Policy Summit, Hawaii businesses will have discussions with U.S. Senators, Administration officials, and industry experts on a variety of topics including small business development, defense, homelessness, and more.

At the Taste of Hawaii on Capitol Hill, nearly 50 Hawaii companies will showcase their products and services to Members of Congress, Administration officials, and the Washington, D.C. community. More than 330 boxes of goods will be shipped nearly 5,000 miles from Hawaii to Washington, D.C. including pineapple, papaya, Hawaiian-style ahi poke, kalua pork, coffee, chocolates, and more. Additionally, Hawaii’s own Willie K and Amy Hanaialii will perform at the event.

Over the past several months, Senator Hirono and Chamber of Commerce Hawaii President Sherry Menor-McNamara traveled across Oahu and Kauai visiting local businesses participating in this year’s Hawaii on the Hill. Hawaii’s KHON and KITV recapped the visits and previewed this year’s Hawaii on the Hill. See photos from Senator Hirono and Chamber of Commerce Hawaii President Sherry Menor-McNamara’s visits to local businesses below.

Senator Hirono cuts a pattern for a shirt with designer Allison Izu at High Technology Development Corporation (HTDC)/Cut Collective

Chamber of Commerce Hawaii President Sherry Menor-McNamara and Senator Hirono listen to Kauai Coffee Company engineer Dan Momohara as he discusses the finer points of producing locally-grown coffee

Senator Hirono and Chamber of Commerce Hawaii President Sherry Menor-McNamara are briefed on hydrogen fuel cells by HCATT Director Stan Osserman