PHOTOS: Hirono Meets with Hawaii Public Library Officials and Visits Veterans Monument

HONOLULU, HI – Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) visited the Waipahu Public Library, where she met with officials from the Hawaii State Public Library System and visited the Filipino WWII Veterans Monument. During her visit, Senator Hirono met with Stacie Kaneshige, Hawaii State Public Library System Branch Director, and Christine Madayag, Waipahu Public Library Manager, to discuss how the library is facilitating broadband expansion and enhancing digital literacy within the community, as well as their strategy to address requests to ban certain books from the state’s public libraries.  

“Libraries are essential to our communities—providing access to books, digital resources, local information, and more,” said Senator Hirono. “Today, I learned about the important work Hawaii State Public Libraries are doing to expand broadband access, increase digital literacy, and help our keiki become lifelong learners. As Republicans work to enact book bans, I’m fighting to support libraries, librarians, and the right of every person in Hawaii and across our country to read what they want.”

After the meeting, Senator Hirono, a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, visited the Filipino World War II Veterans Monument at the library, which was dedicated this past February. The figures depicted in the monument represent the forces of the Philippine Constabulary, 1st Filipino Division, Filipino Scouts, Filipino Guerillas, and the 1st and 2nd Filipino Regiments from Hawaii and the U.S.

“Filipino World War II veterans served our country with courage and bravery and this monument is a tribute to their sacrifice,” said Senator Hirono. “I was glad to see the monument, as well as the accompanying displays in the library, which highlighted the history and stories of these veterans—including the long overdue Congressional Gold Medal they were awarded for their sacrifices and heroism. As a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I’m working to pass the Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act, my legislation to reunite Filipino WWII veterans with their children. I will continue working to support Filipino veterans and all veterans in Hawaii and across our country.”

Since 2013, Senator Hirono has led the introduction of the bipartisan Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act, legislation that would speed up the visa process for children of Filipino World War II veterans. Following years of advocacy from Senator Hirono and the Hawaii Congressional Delegation, in October 2017, Congress awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to the Filipino Veterans of World War II. Senator Hirono also leads the introduction of the Filipino American History Month Resolution, which recognizes October as Filipino American History month and celebrates the history and culture of Filipino Americans.

Photos of the Senator’s visit are available here

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