PHOTOS: Hirono, CoC Hawaii President and CEO Visit Local Businesses Ahead of “Hawaii on the Hill” Event

HONOLULU, HI – Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a member of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, joined Sherry Menor-McNamara, President and CEO of Chamber of Commerce (CoC) Hawaii, in visiting three Hawaii businesses that are participating in the Hawaii on the Hill (HOH) in Washington D.C. this summer. The visits included stops at Hawaiian Host, LLC; the Pacific Gateway Center’s Culinary Business Incubator; and the Hawaiian Chip Company/Menehune Mac Candies facilities. The pair met with businessowners and employees, sampled products, and toured each of the facilities. 

“Hawaii on the Hill helps my colleagues in Congress learn more about the unique products, food, culture, and history that make Hawaii special and gives Hawaii businesses the opportunity to connect directly with federal policymakers,” said Senator Hirono. “It also gives my colleagues a better understanding of the unique challenges Hawaii businesses face, especially as the world continues to recover from the pandemic. I enjoyed touring a few of the businesses who will be attending this year’s Hawaii on the Hill and hearing more about why this event is so important to them. After a three-year hiatus, I’m looking forward to welcoming businesses from across Hawaii back to D.C. later this year.”

“Senator Hirono and I really enjoyed our tours of Hawaiian Host, the Culinary Business Incubator at Pacific Gateway Center and Hawaiian Chip Company. We sampled some of the best products Hawaii has to offer, but most importantly, we spoke with farmers, business owners and employees about their experiences over the past few years. I am so impressed with our local business owners. They continue to innovate and reinvent themselves despite the challenges.  Our local economy is resilient because our entrepreneurs support each other with new product collaborations and value-added merchandise. Hawaii's business community has so much to be proud of when we return to Washington D.C, this June," said Sherry Menor-McNamara, President and CEO of Chamber of Commerce Hawaii.

After a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Senator Hirono will once again host the 7th Annual Hawaii on the Hill (HOH) event this June in Washington, D.C. Hawaii on the Hill, a partnership between Senator Hirono and the CoC Hawaii, is a two-day event that gives Hawaii businesses the opportunity to meet directly with policymakers while also showcasing Hawaii businesses and products to Members of Congress and the Washington, D.C. community.

Photos of the Senator’s visits are available here

###