Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Senator Mazie K. Hirono today announced her nomination of 46 students to the U.S. military service academies for the Class of 2020. The students’ applications are now being considered by the four academies for final selections. “I commend these students for their years of study, hard work, and dedication as they...

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Senator Mazie K. Hirono welcomed Clare Connors, nominee for the U.S. District Court Judgeship for the District of Hawaii, to the Senate Judiciary Committee today. Senator Hirono affirmed Ms. Connors’ vast experience, and called for the Committee to approve her confirmation quickly. “Clare is a first rate...

Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement on the passing of State Senator Gilbert “Gil” Kahele: “Gil Kahele served Hawaii and our country with distinction for more than 50 years, first in the U.S. Marine Corps, then as a community advocate and in elected office. I will remember Gil for his kindness and tireless work...

Senator Mazie K. Hirono took to the Senate floor to mark the 43rd anniversary of Roe v. Wade, a landmark Supreme Court decision that affirmed a woman’s right to access abortion care. Senator Hirono acknowledged the many challenges that women still face when accessing reproductive care, and called for the Supreme Court to continue to protect a...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement on the U.S. Marine Corps announcement that it has reclassified the status of the 12 U.S. Marines involved in the January 14 training incident off Oahu’s north shore as “deceased.” “My thoughts, prayers, and aloha are with the families of the...

Senator Mazie K. Hirono today voted against H.R. 4038, legislation that would require the Director of National Intelligence, Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Secretary of Homeland Security to individually review and approve the admission of any refugee from Syria or Iraq. The bill, which needed a 60 vote threshold to move...

The Hawaii Congressional Delegation today announced more than $3.4 million in Department of Energy funding that will allow Hawaiian Electric Company to improve electric grid technology, which will facilitate more renewable energy generation. “Today’s award builds on Hawaii’s record as a state on the forefront of renewable energy...

Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement on the Supreme Court’s decision to hear U.S. v. Texas, a case challenging President Obama’s expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) programs which were announced more than a year...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – One year after supporting the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran Nuclear Deal, Senator Mazie K. Hirono traveled to the Middle East to discuss JCPOA’s implementation and broader security challenges in the region. During the six-day trip, Hirono traveled to Austria, Israel, Saudi...

One year after supporting the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran Nuclear Deal, Senator Mazie K. Hirono traveled to the Middle East to discuss JCPOA’s implementation and broader security challenges in the region.  During the six-day trip, Hirono traveled to Austria, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey,...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement commending President Obama’s final State of the Union address: "Tonight, President Obama laid out how far our country has come since he took office in 2009 and the road that lies ahead. The President emphasized that quality education is a key part in the...

Senator Mazie K. Hirono today announced that Sierra Schmitz, a Hawaii native and current American University student, will accompany her to President Obama’s final State of the Union address tomorrow, Tuesday January 12, 2016. “While a quality education is an important key to success in today’s economy, college costs continue to...

HONOLULU – Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement on the announcement that Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Company (HC&S) will end its sugar production operations by the end of 2016 and transition to a diversified agricultural model. “Today’s announcement marks an end to plantation agriculture that shaped our...

Senator Mazie K. Hirono encourages eligible Hawaii residents from the Compact of Free Association (COFA) nations to enroll in health care coverage following the announcement that the enrollment period has been extended to February 15, 2016. Earlier this month, Senator Hirono led a Hawaii delegation letter to Secretary of Health and Human Services...

Senator Mazie K. Hirono today supported the bipartisan omnibus package, a $1.1 trillion bill that funds the government, including a number of programs that will help Hawaii families, through September. The measure also provides tax relief for individuals and businesses and renews incentives for clean energy. The bill passed the Senate...

Washington, D.C – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i), and U.S. Representative Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) announced that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) awarded $1,485,007 in various grants to support coral reef conservation and coastal management in...

Two of Senator Mazie K. Hirono’s proposals to improve services for veterans and their families were approved by the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee as part of S. 425, the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Programs Reauthorization Act. Senator Hirono’s provisions expedite the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) survivors benefits...

Senator Mazie K. Hirono today voted for the Every Student Succeeds Act, the first comprehensive legislation aimed at improving elementary and secondary education to pass Congress since the 2001 No Child Left Behind Act. “Our schools should be places where students’ curiosity about the world can grow into a lifelong passion for...

Senators Mazie K. Hirono, Harry Reid (D-NV), and Tim Kaine (D-VA) urged President Obama to quickly implement the Administration’s newly proposed parole program to reunite Filipino World War II veterans with their family members. In July, after years of advocacy from Senator Hirono and others, the Obama Administration recommended that the...

Senator Mazie K. Hirono today voted against H.R. 3762, a Republican bill to defund Planned Parenthood, undermine federal support for research on heart disease, diabetes, and other diseases, and gut key Affordable Care Act provisions. The legislation passed the Republican-controlled Senate 52-47. President Obama has vowed to veto the bill. After the...