PHOTOS & VIDEO: Hirono Plants Ohia Lehua Tree at East-West Center, Tours Local Manufacturer HPC Foods/Taro Brand

HONOLULU, HI –Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) visited the East-West Center and local manufacturer HPC Foods/Taro Brand. The Senator began her day at the East-West Center, which promotes better relations and understanding among the people of the Asia-Pacific region and the United States. 

“I was honored to join East-West Center President Suzy Vares-Lum to plant the first ohia lehua mamo tree in the Center’s Friendship Circle,” said Senator Hirono. “This endemic native plant, known for its resiliency and ability to blossom even after a lava flow, is a gracious reminder that we all must endure the challenging times to emerge stronger. Ohia serve a critical role in the functioning of Hawaii’s forested watersheds and must be protected, which is why I introduced legislation to combat Rapid Ohia Death.”

Last month, the Senator introduced legislation to combat Rapid Ohia Death, which has killed more than a million ohia trees in Hawaii since its discovery in 2014.

Afterwards, Senator Hirono, a member of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, participated in a manufacturing tour at HPC Foods/Taro Brand, which received a $1.8 million Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) during the pandemic. Senator Hirono was joined on the tour by leadership from HTDC, a state agency responsible for diversifying Hawaii’s economy through the growth and development of the state’s technology industry. In August, Senator Hirono visited HTDC’s Entrepreneurs Sandbox with SBA Administrator Isabella Guzman. 

“As we approach National Manufacturing Day, I enjoyed spending time with the Tottori family of HPC Foods/Taro Brand that continues their father and grandfather’s strong work ethic and sound business practices ,” said Senator Hirono. “Employing more than 180 people in Hawaii, Taro Brands is one of the many small businesses driving our state’s economy forward. I’m glad that with help from the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program, Taro Brand was able to weather the pandemic and can continue serving customers in Hawaii and across our country. As a member of the Senate Small Business Committee, I’ll continue fighting to ensure Hawaii’s small businesses have the support they deserve.” 

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