url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at https://case.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1026,University of Hawai‘i Will Benefit From Solid Results In Federal Fiscal Year 2023 Omnibus Spending Bill,2022-12-31,2022,2022-12,Democrat,House,HI,Ed Case,C001055,case.house.gov,case,https://case.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27&Page=16,scraper,"(Washington, DC) – Congressman Ed Case (HI-01), a member of the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations responsible for all federal discretionary spending, has announced millions in funding and other actions he sought and secured to strengthen the University of Hawaii’s (UH) position as a major research institution and economic generator for the state. The funds are included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Omnibus Appropriations measure recently passed by Congress and signed into law by President Biden. “This funding measure continues to showcase a very productive partnership between our Hawai’i congressional delegation and UH, our flagship institution of higher education and engine of our economy, with its excellent record of attracting hundreds of millions in research funding,” said Case. “In President Lassner’s report to the UH Board of Regents earlier this year, he referred to the result of our FY 2022 federal spending bill as ‘an excellent year for UH’ and thanked the Hawai‘i congressional delegation, ‘all of whom have been actively working on behalf of the State of Hawai‘i and the University of Hawai‘i with programs that will really help us serve our communities on every island.’ This year’s spending bill builds further on that foundation to provide UH with enhanced federal support.” Case worked to directly support UH through his Community Project Funding (CPF) requests by securing: · $6.5 million for the UH Center to complete construction of the Early Phase Clinical Research Center on its Kaka‘ako campus. The 17,000 square foot outpatient early phase clinical trial clinic—the first of its kind in State of Hawai‘i—will provide Hawai‘i cancer patients who have exhausted traditional treatments with greater access to novel clinical trials across multiple disciplines. Senators Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono also supported this request. · $1.8 million for the Hawai‘i Public Health Institute to develop and train navigators to support kūpuna and family caregivers. This is a joint initiative between UH-Mānoa and the Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute. · $1 million for UH’s Office of Indigenous Innovation to establish an indigenous data science hub. This will engage students in experiential learning opportunities and foster collaboration between indigenous researchers and cultural practitioners in developing community-derived, culturally grounded and globally relevant climate resilience strategies. UH will administer this hub in North Kohala on Hawaiʻi Island. Senators Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono also supported this request. The FY 2023 omnibus spending bill also includes Case-requested support for other key initiatives at UH including: $101 million for the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium, which includes the National Disaster Preparedness Training Center (NDPC) at UH Mānoa. The NDPC, a seven-member professional alliance, is the principal means through which the Federal Emergency Management Agency identifies, develops, tests and delivers training to state and local emergency responders. The NDPC has trained over 2.5 million people throughout the United States and its territories. $302 million for the High Performance Computing Modernization Program in the Department of Defense, which supports the UH-managed Maui High Performance Computing Center. $38 million for the U.S. Geological Survey Volcano Hazards Program, which provides continuing support to the UH Hilo Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes. $83 million for the U.S. Geological Survey’s Climate Adaptation Science Centers, which includes the Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center based out of UH Mānoa. These Centers provide regionally relevant scientific information, tools and techniques to resource managers and communities in Hawai‘i in response to our changing climate. $4 million to support the work of the Center for Indigenous Innovation and Health Equity at UH in advancing indigenous research and policy solutions to achieve health equity The FY 2023 omnibus funding measure also makes strong investments in major federal programs from which UH directly benefits such as the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. “In my work on the House Appropriations Committee, I know that if I support these programs at the national level then UH and other Hawai‘i institutions and communities will benefit locally,” said Case. Such programs of benefit to UH include: · $470 million for Advanced Research Projects – Energy and High Energy Physics, which directly supports groundbreaking research at UH aimed at rapidly developing energy technologies that can address the nation’s critical economic, environmental and energy security challenges. · $144 million for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Engagement, an increase of $7 million above the FY 2022 enacted level, to inspire young people to pursue future careers in science and engineering. This includes $45 million for NASA’s Minority University Research and Education Project, which funds Hawai‘i STEM programs. · $80 million for the Sea Grant Program, which supports coastal and Great Lakes communities through research, extension and education. These funds help support the Hawaiʻi Sea Grant Program at UH that concentrates on promoting healthy coastal ecosystems, sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, resilient communities and economies and environmental literacy and workforce development. · $28 million for the Centers of Excellence program, a $4 million increase from last year. This program supports health professions schools across the country, including the Native Hawaiian Center of Excellence at the University of Hawai‘i John A. Burns School of Medicine, that seek to recruit, train and retain underrepresented minority students and faculty. · $25 million to support facilities like the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope on the Island of Maui, the world’s most advanced solar observatory. · $24 million for the Strengthening Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions program, a $3 million increase from last year. This program provides funding support to institutions of higher education in the States of Alaska and Hawai‘i including UH to improve and expand their capacity to serve Native Hawaiian students. · $18 million for the Strengthening Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions program, an $8 million increase from last year. These funds help undergraduate institutions like UH expand their capacity to serve Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander students. · $15 million for Energy Transitions Initiatives, a $5 million increase from FY 2022. This program, which aims to advance self-reliant island and remote communities through the development of resilient energy systems, helps recipients who face unique energy challenges due to their remote location, fossil fuel dependency and limited access to affordable infrastructure improvements. · $9 million for the Resilient Innovative Sustainable Economies via University Partnership (RISE-UP) Initiative, a $1.5 million increase from FY 2022. This program seeks to leverage the technical expertise of public universities located in isolated states that play an important role in our national security. The universities are working to create incubators, develop and commercialize scalable technologies and build a workforce to meet future national security needs in areas such as clean energy and marine technology and economy. Direct Support for College Students The bill also includes $24.6 billion for federal student aid programs, which includes increasing the maximum Pell Grant award by $500 to $7,395 for the 2023–24 academic year. It further includes $1.2 billion for the Federal Work Study Program, an increase of $20 million above the FY 2022 enacted level, and $910 million for the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant program, an increase of $15 million above the Fiscal Year 2022 enacted level. Finally, Case also secured an instruction to the U.S. Department of State to consider increasing the number of scholarships available for Pacific Islanders to study in the United States, many of whom study at UH. This is a key component of Case’s efforts to re-engage with the nations of the Pacific across multiple areas including education. Case’s Appropriations Committee is responsible for allocating some $1.7 trillion in funding to federal government agencies, departments and organizations on an annual basis. A detailed summary of the FY 2023 Omnibus can be found here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://case.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1025,Case Ensures Continued Federal Assistance For Native Hawaiians In 2023 Omnibus Spending Measure,2022-12-30,2022,2022-12,Democrat,House,HI,Ed Case,C001055,case.house.gov,case,https://case.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27&Page=16,scraper,"(Washington, DC) – Congressman Ed Case (HI-01), a member of the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations responsible for all federal discretionary spending, today announced millions in funding and other actions he sought and secured that will directly benefit the Native Hawaiian community. The funds are included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Omnibus Appropriations bill recently approved by Congress and signed into law by the President. “Native Hawaiians are a unique community within our national fabric, and so are many of their challenges and needs, especially in health care, education and housing,” said Case. “I successfully sought millions in funding to support and advance various Native Hawaiian economic, cultural, educational and health initiatives. The 2023 omnibus spending bill builds on past funding increases I have been able to secure for Native Hawaiian-serving programs and includes new funding to support specific needs within the Native Hawaiian community.” Provisions in the $1.7 trillion omnibus funding measure that Case sought and won approval for include: Native Hawaiian-Serving Programs and Initiatives · Native Hawaiian Education: $45.9 million, a $7 million increase, for the Native Hawaiian Education Program (NHEP). Of these funds, Congressman Case also secured $10 million in set-aside funding to specifically fund construction, renovation, and modernization of Native Hawaiian schools and education program – the first time ever NHEP funds will be made available for capital improvements. Congressman Case also secured additional report language directing the U.S. Department of Education to (1) provide sufficient funding to the Native Hawaiian Education Council and (2) offer technical assistance to quality applicants with experience educating Native Hawaiian children and youth. These new requirements seek to address concerns raised by Native Hawaiian education advocates and improve the program’s impact on Native Hawaiian community. · Native Hawaiian Health Care: $27 million, a $5 million increase, for the Native Hawaiian Health Care Program. Of these funds, $10 million will be made available to Papa Ola Lōkahi for administrative purposes including strengthening the capacity of the Native Hawaiian Health Care Systems and supporting additional activities such as expanded research and surveillance of Native Hawaiian health issues. · Native Hawaiian Housing: $22.3 million for the Native Hawaiian housing block grant program, which supports affordable housing and community development activities for Native Hawaiians eligible to reside on Hawaiian Home Lands. · Native Hawaiian Veterans: $5 million to create a new Center for Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders and U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islander Health inside the Department of Veterans Affairs. It will focus on research, data collection and potential practice improvements to better serve these veterans. · Native Hawaiian Health Research: directs the National Institutes of Health to provide a report to Congress on coordination of Native Hawaiian health research-related activities across the agency and with the Native Hawaiian community and to take steps to support the development of Native Hawaiian investigators. While Native Hawaiian health disparities are well documented, these populations are often left out of existing federal research initiatives that seek to improve the health status of other Native American communities. This report will help raise the profile of health disparities in Native Hawaiian communities and identify the current gaps in biomedical research specific to Native Hawaiians. · Native Hawaiian Resource Center on Domestic Violence: $2 million, an increase of $1 million, to support the continued implementation of the Native Hawaiian Resource Center on Domestic Violence. The Center will provide supportive services for adult and youth victims of family violence, domestic violence and dating violence in Native Hawaiian communities. Congressman Case previously secured funding to establish the Center in Fiscal Year 2022. Native American-Serving Programs and Initiatives · Native American/Hawaiian Museum Services: $3.7 million for the Native American/Native Hawaiian museum Services Program, which provides grants to Native American-serving organizations and federally recognized Tribes to sustain indigenous heritage, culture and knowledge through museum-related services. · Native American Language Resource Center: $1.5 million, an increase of $1 million, to support the continued implementation of Native American Language Resource Center. The Center will support a consortium of higher education institutions in teaching and learning languages, including research on new teaching methods for educators and developing instructional materials, among other things. Congressman Case previously secured funding to establish the Center in Fiscal Year 2022. · Native American Language Preservation: $15 million, a $1 million increase from last year, for Native American language preservation activities under the Administration for Native Americans. · Native American Job Training: $60 million, an increase of $3 million from last year, to support programs that provide quality employment and training services to Native Hawaiian Organizations, Tribes, Tribal organizations, Alaska Native entities and Indian-controlled organizations serving unemployed and low-income American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians. · Native American Nutrition and Support Services: $41 million, an increase of $5 million from last year, for Native American Nutrition and Supportive Services grants to promote the delivery of nutrition and home and community-based services to American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian elders. · Native American Caregiver Services: $13 million, a $2.5 million increase from last year, to provide grants to support American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian families caring for older relatives with chronic illness or disability Community Project Funding (CPF) “I was also able to secure millions for worthy local community projects that will have a direct impact on Native Hawaiians and that would have been difficult to complete if not for specific and direct funding from Congress,” said Case. Case-sponsored CPF projects to support the Native Hawaiian community include: · $1.7 million for the King Lunalilo Trust and Home to support capital improvements to the facility, Lunalilo Home is licensed as a Type II Expanded Adult Residential Care Home that provides housing and services to disadvantaged Native Hawaiian kūpuna . · $1.8 million for Kula no na Poe Hawaii (KULA) to provide academic supports and wrap-around services to children and youth of the Hawaiian homestead communities of Papakōlea, Kewalo and Kalawahine. KULA partners with neighboring public schools to improve student’s educational outcomes, classroom attendance and social and emotional learning through culturally sensitive interventions. “In preparing my own CPF requests, I consulted with Hawai’i state and county governments, including individuals throughout the Native Hawaiian community and non-profits, applied my own knowledge and beliefs as to district needs, considered whether a project could obtain federal funding through other means, and made some difficult decisions given my limited number of CPF requests,” said Case. The House’s CPF rules require that each project must have demonstrated community support, must be fully disclosed by the requesting Member, and is subject to audit by the independent Government Accountability Office. Case’s disclosures are here: https://case.house.gov/media/funding-disclosures.htm. Case’s Appropriations Committee is responsible for allocating some $1.7 trillion in funding to federal government agencies, departments and organizations on an annual basis. A detailed summary of the FY 2023 omnibus is available here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/2022-year-in-review,2022 Year in Review,2022-12-30,2022,2022-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Aloha, Over the past year, Democrats in Congress have passed landmark legislation to lower energy costs, support veterans and seniors, uplift underrepresented communities, and provide funding to upgrade aging infrastructure. As the year comes to a close, I’d like to reflect on the work we’ve done to support families and communities in Hawaii and across our country. Lowering Prescription Drug Costs The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022 passed in August will lower prescription drug costs for hundreds of thousands of our kupuna in Hawaii. Thanks to the IRA, Medicare recipients who rely on insulin will have their insulin costs capped at $35 a month starting next year. Starting in 2025, the more than 200,000 Medicare recipients with Part D in Hawaii will have their annual drug costs capped at $2,000. Medicare finally has the power to negotiate prescription drug prices, with the first of those negotiated prices going into effect in 2026. The IRA also includes my bill to make vaccines for things like shingles and hepatitis-A free under Medicare. I recently participated in a Town Hall with AARP Hawaii about the IRA’s drug cost savings, which you can listen to here. Red Hill I have been in direct and regular contact with the Department of Defense and Navy leadership about the Red Hill fuel spill and drinking water system contamination, and more recently the AFFF spill and cleanup efforts. The repeated leaks at Red Hill are completely unacceptable and have been devastating for families and businesses in the impacted area. My focus has been on securing the funding necessary to safely defuel and permanently close the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility on Oahu, which has endangered the health and safety of thousands of families in Hawaii. Last week, I successfully secured $1 billion in the annual defense authorization bill for Red Hill’s closure, and that funding was also included in the year-end appropriations bill. Both of these pieces of legislation have now been signed into law, getting us closer to safely closing Red Hill for good. I’ll continue to insist the Department of Defense coordinates closely with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Hawaii Department of Health, the Board of Water Supply, and other local stakeholders to ensure Red Hill is closed safely and as quickly as possible. Senator Hirono tours the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility with Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman, Senator Jack Reed. Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act Throughout 2022, Hawaii has received hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding to repair, rebuild, and expand infrastructure across the state, thanks to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which is expected to create millions of good-paying jobs over the next decade. This funding is already being used to modernize infrastructure projects like roads, bridges, ports, public transit systems, and the purchase of electric school buses to help keep the air clean. The IIJA also provided investment to expand broadband access for families, and support Hawaii’s transition to clean energy. Helping Veterans As a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, I’m working to support veterans in Hawaii and across the country. This year, we passed the Honoring Our PACT Act to expand VA care to more than 3.5 million Post-9/11 veterans who have been exposed to toxins during their service. Here in Hawaii, construction of the new Daniel K. Akaka Outpatient VA clinic on Oahu continues, bringing us one step closer to opening a new world-class healthcare center for veterans across Hawaii and the entire Pacific region. Supporting Native Hawaiian Survivors of Gender-Based Violence Native women experience disproportionately high levels of sexual violence. However, Native Hawaiian women have been excluded from accessing much-needed federal resources. Just this month, the President signed my legislation to enable Native Hawaiian Organizations to use federal funding to support Native Hawaiian survivors of gender-based violence, something they’ve been unable to do for far too long. I will continue to advocate on behalf of survivors of sexual violence, especially within particularly vulnerable communities such as the Native Hawaiian community. Uplifting AANHPI Communities Earlier this year, President Biden signed into law legislation I introduced in the Senate to establish a commission to study the creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture. This museum would help promote understanding about Asian Pacific Islander American communities and their many contributions to American history and culture. STEM Education This year, Congress also passed and enacted legislation to invest in American innovation and strengthen domestic supply chains. The Chips and Science Act (CHIPS) included historic investment in scientific research and development, funding to support Hawaii’s transition to renewable energy, and tens of billions in federal funding for the domestic manufacturing of semiconductors, which are used in everything from cars to cell phones. The bill also included my Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Opportunities Act, which provides funding for guidance, research, data collection, and other activities to promote opportunities for women and minorities in STEM at colleges and universities and federal science agencies. As we work to spur innovation, it’s critical that we support students and innovators from diverse backgrounds. I’m proud of everything we accomplished this year to help families and communities in Hawaii and across our country. I look forward to continuing to build on this progress in 2023 and beyond. Happy holidays, from my ohana to yours. Mahalo, Mazie K. Hirono United States Senator",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://case.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1024,Case: Congress-Passed Funding Measure Focuses Billions On Indo-Pacific And Hawaii's Role,2022-12-29,2022,2022-12,Democrat,House,HI,Ed Case,C001055,case.house.gov,case,https://case.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27&Page=16,scraper,"(Washington, DC) -- U.S. Congressman Ed Case (HI-01), a member of the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations responsible for all federal discretionary spending, said that the $1.7 trillion omnibus measure to fund the federal government for the current Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 includes billions in State and Defense Department funding focused on the Indo-Pacific and Hawaii’s role, a measure just signed into law by the President. “This measure strengthens our national defense and bolsters our commitments to diplomacy, development and democracy throughout the Indo-Pacific, where the future of our country and world is being determined,” said Case. “It also recognizes Hawaii’s continued critical role through investments in facilities, personnel and institutions that are integral parts of our overall efforts, in addition to major contributors to our local economy.” Provisions of special interest to Hawai‘i and for which Case advocated throughout the yearlong FY 2023 appropriations process include: · $22 million for the East-West Center. · $1.8 billion for implementation of the Indo-Pacific Strategy to counter malign influence and promote peace, prosperity and democracy in the region, an increase of over $100 million from the prior fiscal year. · Report language encouraging the Department of State to increase the number of scholarships available for Pacific Islanders to study in the United States, many of whom study at the University of Hawai‘i. · An $8 million increase for the Asia Pacific Regional Initiative, a key program supporting the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. This program enables the military to execute Theater Security Cooperation activities, such as humanitarian assistance and paying incremental personnel costs of training and exercising with foreign security forces. The initiative is a critical tool for the U.S. military to strengthen relationships throughout the Indo-Pacific region. · Support for the Coast Guard’s role in the Indo-Pacific and a required review of the Coast Guard’s assets in Oceania and facilities on O‘ahu. State and Foreign Operations The FY 2023 measure, passed by Congress last Thursday, December 23rd and soon to be signed by the President, includes $59.7 billion in U.S. foreign assistance in public health, basic education, educational and cultural exchanges, climate change and other programs through the U.S. Department of State, Agency for International Development, contributions to the United Nations and its agencies and more. It also implements provisions of Case’s BLUE Pacific Act, to increase overall U.S. engagement throughout the Pacific Island, and includes $22 million for the East-West Center. “Our BLUE Pacific Act, together with funding for the East-West Center and other institutions and efforts focused in the Indo-Pacific, sends a powerful message to our critical Pacific Islands partners and allies that our country values our relationships, will invest further in them and will continue as an active and engaged partner in pursuit of our shared interests values,” said Case, who joined four congressional delegations to the Indo-Pacific this year including most recently Fiji. Programs and provisions secured by Case related to the Indo-Pacific and his BLUE Pacific Act include: · $1.8 billion for implementation of the Indo-Pacific Strategy to counter malign influence and promote peace, prosperity and democracy in the region, an increase of over $100 million. · Bill language requiring at least $150 million for the Pacific Islands region, almost double previous spending. · Increased funding for the Young Pacific Leaders Program, a Department of State program for emerging young leaders from Hawai‘i, Guam, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Solomon Islands and other Pacific nations. · Report language encouraging the Department of State to increase the number of scholarships available for Pacific Islanders to study in the United States, many of whom study at the University of Hawai‘i. · $430.5 million for the Peace Corps, an increase of $20 million over the FY 2022 enacted level, along with language encouraging the Peace Corps to prioritize the Pacific Islands in the return of volunteers. · Report language recommending no less than $20 million for climate resilient development and climate mitigation and adaptation efforts in the Pacific Islands. · Language in support of expanding the U.S. diplomatic presence in the Pacific Islands and expanding the programming of the U.S. Agency for Global Media in the region. · Report language requiring the Department of State to create a strategy on trade capacity building in the Pacific Islands. · Report language recommending the expansion of the International Law Enforcement Academy to the Pacific Islands, and supporting the Pacific Islands in their efforts to combat transnational crime. “As Hawai`i and the rest of our planet continue to confront the impacts of climate change, we must focus on our Pacific Island communities, as they and we act are particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels, extreme weather events, protracted droughts and land loss, to name just a few,” said Case. The measure includes $2 billion in the State and Foreign Operations section to address climate change and other environmental programs, including: · $150 million for the Global Environment Facility, $1 million above the FY 2022 enacted level. · $125 million for the Clean Technology Fund. · $270 million for adaptation programs. · $260 million for clean energy programs. DEFENSE The measure’s U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) provisions include another $1 billion to continue Red Hill defueling, closure, health and water quality monitoring and other efforts, over and above the $1.1 billion secured by the Hawai‘i Congressional delegation on an emergency basis earlier this year for FY 2022, together with various Case requests to strengthen oversight. It also supports Case’s effort to expand and improve the military’s engagement with the local community throughout Hawai‘i, including a directive that the Secretary of Defense work with Hawai‘i government to address the disconnect between the services and various communities in Hawai‘i. “The military must foster a better relationship with our local community to repair the damaged trust of Red Hill and rebuild support for various critical defense initiatives in our state,” said Case. The measure includes Case’s requested funding for various national programs that are utilized by the military in Hawai‘i to support local communities. Those requests include $80 million for Impact Aid education programs, $175 million for the Readiness and Environmental Protection Initiative (REPI) that protects environmentally sensitive lands, and $260 million for the National Guard Youth Challenge, Starbase and other programs to help troubled youth. Through REPI, DoD works with state and local governments, conservation organizations and willing private landowners to implement compatible uses of lands for the military mission and conservation. For calendar year 2022, REPI will provide $19.2 million, which will be coupled with $15.1 million in partner contributions, to acquire and protect invaluable lands on O’ahu. The measure also supports the Pacific Deterrence Initiative (PDI), which bolsters deterrence and maintains our competitive edge in the Indo-Pacific in recognition of threats posed by China and the need to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific. A key component of the PDI for FY 2023 is $393.2 million for the missile defense of Guam, which faces threats from ballistic, hypersonic and cruise missiles. Increased funding is also directed to joint exercises and other activities with our partners and allies in the region. Other programs and provisions of specific relevance to Hawai‘i and requested and secured by Case include: · Funding for two SSN-774 Virginia Class attack submarines, which are critical to protecting the Indo-Pacific and will be maintained at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard. · $317 million for Environmental Restoration, Formerly Used Defense Sites, which is $90 million over the President’s budget request. These funds will help accelerate efforts to remove unexploded ordnance and discarded military munitions in Hawai‘i and throughout the nation. · $150 million for the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, which maintains large scientific laboratories and other efforts at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. · Retention of the military contracting preference language for Native American tribes and Native Hawaiian Organizations. · $164 million for the X-Band Radar, which defends Hawai‘i from ballistic missile threats as the DoD pauses funding for Homeland Defense Radar-Hawai‘i and conducts a large study to reassess how to best protect Hawai‘i from missile attacks. · An $8 million increase for the Asia Pacific Regional Initiative, a key program supporting the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command headquartered in Hawai’i. This program enables the military to execute Theater Security Cooperation activities, such as humanitarian assistance and paying incremental personnel costs of training and exercising with foreign security forces. The initiative is a critical tool for the U.S. military to strengthen relationships throughout the Indo-Pacific region. · $39.2 billion for medical and health care programs, which includes the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP), which allocates $582.5 million for cancer research. The CDMRP fills research gaps by funding high impact, high risk and high gain projects that other agencies may not venture to fund. Military Construction The FY 2023 omnibus measure includes several Case requests through his membership on the House Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs. These include $71 million for two critical community project funding requests, submitted jointly with Senators Schatz and Hirono, for the initial planning, design and construction phase for two water system distribution upgrades serving Fort Shafter and Tripler Army Medical Center. The water systems at both locations have begun to fail and must be replaced to ensure access to clean drinking water. The medical center upgrade will support over 450,000 service members, veterans and their families that use the hospital. These beneficiaries come from not only Hawai‘i but from throughout the Indo-Pacific. Case said that, in addition to the $1 billion provided through the Defense portion of the measure, another $25 million is provided to address the Red Hill Crisis for the planning and design of water treatment and distribution facilities construction. He added that the funds can also be used to design facilities to help remediate the Red Hill shaft. There is also $50 million for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command planning and design and minor construction to advance critical projects in a strategically vital region of the world. The additional funds can be used by the Navy and the Indo-Pacific Command to begin the planning and design for building new facilities to remove and relocate the fuel currently at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility. The bill also provides a further $1.3 billion, an increase of $492 million above FY 2022, for the Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Plan (SIOP), a $21 billion multi-year effort to upgrade the Navy’s four public shipyards. This includes over $621 million for Dry Dock 5 and $20 million for the planning and design for the Waterfront Production Facility at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility, Hawaii’s largest industrial employer with some 6,000 local employees. “Keeping SIOP on track and fully funded is one of my top priorities on my Appropriations Committee,” said Case. “These additional funds are especially targeted at continuing the massive Pearl Harbor project to build a new $3.5 billion state-of-the-art drydock for the next generation of Navy submarines and surface ships, a project that will contribute tremendously not just to our national defense but to our local economy.” The bill funds critical defense infrastructure in Hawai‘i. These projects include $87.9 million for a new barracks on Marine Corps Base Hawai‘i, $103 million for upgrading the missile magazines at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, and $111 million for a new company operations facility on Schofield Barracks. Other specific programs and provisions requested and secured by Case include: · $29 million for the Army National Guard Readiness Center in Kapolei, which would improve the Hawai‘i National Guard’s facilities. · Provision directing the DoD to address Hawai‘i missile defense in the absence of the Homeland Defense Radar-Hawai‘i, which has been paused as the department conducts a large study to reassess how to best protect Hawai‘i from missile attacks. · Provision directing the DoD to address underfunded and dilapidated Army infrastructure on O‘ahu via the Hawai‘i Infrastructure Readiness Initiative. Case’s Appropriations Committee is responsible for allocating some $1.7 trillion in funding to federal government agencies, departments and organizations on an annual basis. A detailed summary of the FY 2023 omnibus is available here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://case.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1023,Case Secures Passage Of Hawai‘i National Forest Study Bill,2022-12-28,2022,2022-12,Democrat,House,HI,Ed Case,C001055,case.house.gov,case,https://case.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27&Page=16,scraper,"(Washington, DC) -- U.S. Congressman Ed Case (HI-01), a member of the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations responsible for all federal discretionary spending, today announced the inclusion of critical funding and programs to protect Hawaii’s environment as part of the just-passed Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 omnibus funding bill. “The FY 2023 Omnibus Appropriations bill makes substantial federal investments in Hawaii’s efforts to conserve our lands and ocean for future generations and protect endangered species,” said Case. “The omnibus includes my proposal to initiative a process which may lead to Hawaii’s first-ever National Forest, which would assist us in preserving our truly unique ecosystem,” explained Case. “It directs our federal government to pursue a formal process led by the U.S. Forest Service of engaging with state and community stakeholders toward identification of the most suitable Hawai‘i forests for inclusion as national forests.” Case also added: “The FY 2023 omnibus funding measure will boost efforts to help Hawai‘i fight invasive species, which have caused Hawai’i to be recognized as the invasive species capital of the world.” The bill adopts Case’s request to support various invasive species programs, including $36 million for the Agricultural Quarantine Inspections Program to combat invasive species in Hawai‘i and $47 million for the U.S. Geological Survey Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program. The bill also creates a pilot program to prioritize the use of native plant species and combat invasive species within the National Park System. The bill includes the following other funding and programs requested and secured by Case: · $1.3 million to safeguard over nearly 700 acres in Maunawili Valley. The proposed forest reserve would be managed by the Hawai‘i Division of Forestry and Wildlife in partnership with local nonprofits seeking to steward the land, engage sustainable agriculture and restore cultural sites and lo‘i. Maunawili Forest is not only significant for its historic and cultural resources but is the natural habitat for three threatened or endangered Hawaiian damselfly species, a forest bird (‘elepaio), and four species of endangered Hawaiian wetland birds. · $1.8 million to assist the State Department of Land and Natural Resources’ acquisition of nearly 1,000 acres of in Kāne‘ohe. The Kāneʻohe Pali lands include freshwater springs, famous waterfalls, at least 11 streams and tributaries, native forest which comprises priority watershed, critical habitat for a wide range of native plant and animal species, the historic Luluku banana patches, mountain peaks and other geological formations. $12.9 million in additional funding for the possible acquisition of Kaupō Ranch on the southern slope of Haleakalā for the NPS. Kaupō Ranch is a key access point for the popular Kaupō Gap Trail that traverses the crater of Haleakalā National Park. This funding will help secure a 3,018 acre portion and expand recreational activities and protect important natural resources, watersheds and endangered species. · $1.7 million for the Hawai‘i State Department of Land and Natural Resources to conduct forest protection and aquifer recovery activities for the Pearl Harbor watershed. · $64 million for the U.S. Geological Survey Species Management Research Program to respond to the needs of critically endangered Hawaiian forest birds. · $175 million for the protection, research and management of marine mammals, sea turtles and other ocean species. · $80 million for the Sea Grant Program, which supports coastal and Great Lakes communities through research, extension and education. These funds help support the Hawaiʻi Sea Grant Program at the University of Hawaiʻi that concentrates on promoting healthy coastal ecosystems, sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, resilient communities and economies and environmental literacy and workforce development. · $68 million for the Sanctuaries and Marine Protected Areas Program, including the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. · $34 million for the Coral Reef Conservation Program. · $31 million for long-deferred maintenance projects at Hawaii’s national parks. · $19 million for the National Trails System, which will benefit the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail. Case’s Appropriations Committee is responsible for allocating some $1.7 trillion in funding to federal government agencies, departments and organizations on an annual basis. A detailed summary of the FY 2023 omnibus is available here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://case.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1021,Case Says Federal FY 2023 Omnibus Spending Bill Includes Provisions To Assist Hawai’i Small Business And Tourism And Strengthen Worker Retirement Savings,2022-12-27,2022,2022-12,Democrat,House,HI,Ed Case,C001055,case.house.gov,case,https://case.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27&Page=16,scraper,"(Washington, DC) – Congressman Ed Case (HI-01), a member of the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations responsible for all federal discretionary spending, today announced that the $1.7 trillion Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Omnibus Appropriations measure, recently passed by Congress and soon to be signed into law by President Biden, includes several initiatives to strengthen Hawaii’s dominant tourism and small business economies as well as assist Hawai’i workers with their retirements. “This measure will strengthen our top-generating tourism sector, promote small business development and assist in economic diversification as our state’s economy continues to recover from the lingering effects of COVID-19,” said Case. The omnibus bill includes the Visit America Act, a top initiative of the national travel and tourism industry which Case, a member of the Congressional Travel and Tourism Caucus, and like-minded colleagues introduced and advanced. It would mandate a coordinated national effort to stabilize and recover one of the country’s primary industries, and create a first-ever Assistant Secretary of Travel and Tourism within the U.S. Department of Commerce. The federal spending measure also includes retirement provisions that will provide millions of workers and retirees with significant improvements to the nation’s private retirement system. “The aptly named ‘SECURE 2.0 Act’ provision expands automatic enrollment into retirement plans, raises the age for required minimum disbursements from retirement plans to 75 from 73 and increases the amount that individuals aged 50 and older can put into their retirement account,” said Case. Tourism “The COVID-19 pandemic devastated our travel and tourism industry and all of its components including accommodations, transportation, food services and attractions,” said Case, formerly a travel and tourism executive with industry leader Outrigger Enterprises headquartered in Waikīkī. “Travel and tourism are huge contributors to the U.S. economy, especially to major visitor destinations like Hawai‘i. Inclusion of the Visit America Act in the FY 2023 omnibus spending measure will ensure a coordinated, high-level federal response to this challenge that delivers critical assistance to affected businesses and their employees as well as state and local economies dependent on tourism and also fully engages the federal government in pursuing long-term success and growth.” The Visit America Act would: Express the sense of Congress that the federal government must work with the industry and other stakeholders toward a visitation goal of 116 million annual travelers to the United States by 2028, an increase of some 25% over pre-COVID numbers; Establish within the Department of Commerce an Assistant Secretary for Travel and Tourism appointed by the President with responsibilities to set and pursue international visitation goals, ensure public and private sector coordination on travel and tourism, set visa processing goals with the Departments of State and Homeland Security, promote travel exports abroad, and more; Require the Department of Commerce to create a 10-year Travel and Tourism Strategy; and Authorize the creation of a U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board. Worker Retirement The federal spending measure also includes significant changes in federal law to provide millions of workers and retirees with significant improvements to the nation’s private retirement system. “Americans deserve dignified retirements after decades of hard work. To help them, for the first time, millions more workers would access resources for retirement and can see retirement contributions year after year, even if they have no tax liability. These are reforms that will make a meaningful difference for workers throughout out states,” said Case. Case added that the provision allows employers to contribute matching payments to retirement accounts to match an employee’s student loan payments, and it will give part-time workers better access to retirement benefits by allowing more individuals to join their companies’ 401(k) plan. Additionally, the bill includes incentives for small businesses to set up retirement savings plans for their workers, encourages individuals to set aside long-term savings and makes it easier for annuities to be an income option for retirees. Small Businesses According to the Small Business Administration (SBA), there are more than 137,000 small businesses in Hawai’i, making up more than 99 percent of all businesses in the islands,” said Case. “We have seen what the pandemic has done to these companies, and what they are having to deal with now as they struggle with the rising costs of inflation. “That is why I worked in this measure and elsewhere to ensure that small businesses remain the backbone of our economy including financial, technical and emergency assistance, boosting trade opportunities, and ensuring that women-owned and Native Hawaiian-owned businesses get the help they need.” To assist small businesses nationwide, the bill provides $1.2 billion for the SBA, which delivers various federal programs to assist small businesses, an increase of $188 million above the FY 2022 funding level. This includes $320 million, a $30 million increase, for Entrepreneurial Development Programs that provide small businesses with quality training, counseling and access to resources. The measure includes several of Case’s requests for funding for federal programs and services important for businesses in the State of Hawai‘i including: $25 million for the Native American Community Development Financial Institution Assistance Program, $4 million for the Historically Underutilized Business Zones Program, $27 million for the Women’s Business Centers Program, $140 million for Small Business Development Centers, $20 million for the State Trade Expansion Program, $10 million for the Regional Innovation Clusters Program, and $41 million for the Microloan Technical Assistance Program. The bill also provided $324 million for Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), an increase of $29 million above the FY 2022 enacted levels. CDFIs are specialized community-based financial institutions that promote economic development by providing financial products and services to people and communities underserved by traditional financial institutions, particularly in low-income and minority communities. They were especially valuable in delivering COVID-19 emergency assistance funds to communities without ready access to other means. Another provision highlights Congress’ concern about equal opportunities and expects the SBA to work closely with Congress to provide equal opportunities for Native Hawaiian organizations. To that end, the bill also includes $70 million for the Minority Business Development Agency with $5 million specifically set aside for Native American Business Development Program that awards grants to Tribes and American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian populations to address barriers to economic development. Finally, the bill continues the military contracting preference for Native American tribes and Native Hawaiian Organizations. Case’s Appropriations Committee is responsible for allocating some $1.7 trillion in funding to federal government agencies, departments and organizations on an annual basis. A detailed summary of the FY 2023 omnibus is available here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/president-biden-signs-hirono-legislation-to-support-native-hawaiian-survivors-of-gender-based-violence,President Biden Signs Hirono Legislation to Support Native Hawaiian Survivors of Gender-Based Violence,2022-12-27,2022,2022-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, President Joseph R. Biden signed into law legislation led by Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) to allow Native Hawaiian survivors of gender-based violence to access critical programs and resources provided by Congress through the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). The reauthorization of VAWA—which was signed into law in March, 2022—provides funding to Native Hawaiian survivors of all types of sexual and gender-based violence, including sexual assault, sex-trafficking, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. Senator Hirono’s legislation amends VAWA to ensure Native Hawaiian organizations are able to serve the Native Hawaiian community. The bill, which passed in the Senate unanimously last month, passed in the House on a voice vote earlier this month. “Like other Native communities across the country, Native Hawaiians experience disproportionately high levels of sexual and gender-based violence,” said Senator Hirono. “Despite this crisis, Native Hawaiian women have long been unjustly excluded from accessing much-needed resources for survivors provided through the Violence Against Women Act. This bill addresses this injustice and allows Native Hawaiian Organizations to better serve Native Hawaiians, and I’m glad the President has signed it into law. Now, Native Hawaiian organizations will have access to support and resources to serve the Native Hawaiian community and work towards eradicating sexual violence in our state.” Native women across the country—including American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women—experience disproportionately high levels of sexual violence. Therefore, VAWA includes Services, Training, Officers Prosecutors (STOP) grants to provide funding for eligible Native-serving non-profits, including Native Hawaiian organizations, to help combat sexual violence and support survivors. However, due to an earlier drafting error in the law, while Native Hawaiian organizations were able to apply for STOP grant funding, they could not use the funds to actually serve the Native Hawaiian community. As a result, Native Hawaiian women have been unable to access critical resources included in VAWA. According to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, more than two-thirds of sex trafficking victims in Hawaii are Native Hawaiian women and girls, and 37% of reported child sex trafficking cases in Hawaii are Native Hawaiian. Recently, the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women released the ""Holoi a Nalo Wahine Oiwi"" report, which further underlines the disproportionate impacts that sex trafficking, sexual exploitation, and domestic violence have on Native Hawaiian women and girls. Senator Hirono has been a vocal advocate for the Native Hawaiian community and efforts to combat violence against Native Hawaiians. Last month, she spoke on the Senate floor about the need to amend VAWA to include Native Hawaiian women. In August, she pressed FBI Director Christopher Wray to do more to protect the Native Hawaiian community from sexual exploitation at a full Judiciary Committee hearing and emphasized the need for the FBI to include the Native Hawaiian community in its efforts to address the missing and murdered Indigenous people crisis and violence against Native communities. In May, she joined a resolution designating May 5th as National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://case.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1020,Case Secures More Than $94 Million For Local Community Projects In Final Federal Funding Package,2022-12-23,2022,2022-12,Democrat,House,HI,Ed Case,C001055,case.house.gov,case,https://case.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27&Page=16,scraper,"(Washington, DC) – U.S. Congressman Ed Case (HI-01), completing his fourth year as a member of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, announced today that the final $1.7 trillion Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 omnibus federal funding package approved by Congress and expected to be signed by the President includes billions in assistance for Hawai‘i, of which $94,382,465 is directed to his fourteen Community Project Funding (CPF) requests. “Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle worked together to avoid a government shutdown and fund programs critical to our country, our communities and our families,” said Case. “For our Hawai‘i, I especially worked to include an additional $1 billion of funding, over and above the $1.1 billion we secured for Fiscal Year 2022, to ensure the continued remediation and closure of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Facility and to address the health concerns related to the water contamination crisis,” said Case. “To address affordable housing for our residents, I was also able to secure funds to assist with a wide range of housing needs, which have worsened for our workforce, kūpuna and veterans. “I was also able to provide millions for worthy local community projects that would have difficulty being completed if not for specific and direct funding from Congress.” Case’s CPF projects are listed below: $4.8 million to the City and County of Honolulu Department of Transportation Services to develop a 30-mile active transit corridor connecting East to West O‘ahu. (Schatz and Case joint request) $500,000 to the Institute for Human Services for the Village of Redemption project to support housing for formerly incarcerated individuals. $1 million for the Clean Energy Wayfinders Program that fosters engagement in local clean energy and energy efficiency policy, programs and projects and in training and deploying the next generation of energy workers in the state. $2 million for the Honolulu Fire Department to harder fire station doors. (Schatz and Case joint request) $1.8 million for the Hawai‘i Public Health Institute to develop and train navigators to support kūpuna and family caregivers. $1.7 million for the King Lunalilo Trust and Home to replace and reinforce its leaking roof. $1.8 million for the Kula No Na Po‘e Hawai‘i to provide students with academic support and wraparound services. $250,000 to the Bishop Museum to relocate and preserve its world class ichthyology collection. $1.7 million for the Hawai‘i State Department of Land and Natural Resources to conduct forest protection and aquifer recovery activities for the Pearl Harbor watershed. $1 million for the University of Hawaii’s Office of Strategic Health Initiatives for an indigenous data science hub. (Schatz, Hirono, and Case joint request) $6.5 million for the University of Hawaii’s Office of Strategic Health Initiatives to fund the construction of an early phase clinical trial unit. (Schatz, Hirono, and Case joint request) $270,000 for the YMCA of Honolulu to support wellness and mental health services for children and youth. $38 million to upgrade the Army Medical Center’s failing water system. (Schatz, Hirono, and Case joint request) $33 million to update Fort Shafter’s failing water system. (Schatz, Hirono, and Case joint request) “In preparing my own CPF requests, I consulted with Hawai‘i state and county governments and non-profits, applied my own knowledge and beliefs as to district needs, considered whether a project could obtain federal funding through other means, and made some difficult decisions given my limited number of CPF requests.” The House’s CPF rules require that each project must have demonstrated community support, must be fully disclosed by the requesting Member, and is subject to audit by the independent Government Accountability Office. Case’s disclosures are here: https://case.house.gov/media/funding-disclosures.htm. The FY 2023 omnibus federal funding package includes $858 billion in defense spending, a $76 billion increase over the FY 2022 funding level, as well as $773 billion in non-defense funding, a $43 billion increase over the last fiscal year. Provisions of special interest to Hawai‘i and for which Case also advocated throughout the yearlong FY 2023 appropriations process include: $46 million for the Native Hawaiian Education Program, a $7 million increase from the FY 2022 enacted level. $36 million for the Agricultural Quarantine Inspections Program to combat invasive species in Hawai‘i. $1.1 billion of military construction projects throughout the state, which will benefit not just the national defense but local businesses. This is almost double the amount requested by the President. $22 million for the East-West Center, placing the Center on a solid and sustainable foundation from which to build further. $1.2 billion for the Small Business Administration (SBA), an increase of $188 million above the FY 2022 funding level. $19 million for the National Trails System, which will benefit the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail. $2.7 billion for homeless assistance programs for our nation’s veterans, an increase of $531 million above the FY 2022 enacted level. $25 million to support facilities like the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope on the Island of Maui, the world’s most advanced solar observatory. Support for various elements of the Pacific Deterrence Initiative (PDI), which bolsters deterrence and maintains our competitive edge in the Indo-Pacific in recognition of threats posed by China and the need to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific. The omnibus further includes Case’s proposal to advance creation of Hawaii’s first national forest. It directs the federal government to pursue a formal process led by the U.S. Forest Service of engaging with state and community stakeholders toward identification of the most suitable Hawai‘i forests for inclusion as a national forest. “The bill will move us toward finally correcting a longstanding omission by adding the best of Hawaii’s unique and endangered forests to our country’s invaluable National Forest System,” said Case. The bill also includes $45 billion in emergency funding to support the Ukrainian people and our North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies in their effort to defend global democracy in the wake of Russia’s unprovoked war on Ukraine. The Ukrainian people need these funds to defend themselves against the Russian invasion, liberate occupied territories and provide assistance to those in desperate need of humanitarian assistance. A summary of other Case-requested and supported provisions in the major sections of the omnibus measure follows: Transportation-Housing Urban Development The Transportation-Housing Urban Development Appropriations section of the bill supports the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Department of Transportation including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Maritime Commission, United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board, National Transportation Safety Board, Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. The bill’s discretionary funding level is $87.3 billion, an increase of $6.3 billion over the FY 2022 enacted level. “My Appropriations Committee confronted the everyday challenges this bill covers across our country and provided the funds necessary to address our crumbling infrastructure as well as the lack of affordable housing,” said Case. “When it comes to transportation, we must work towards other means of mobility for those who either can’t afford or don’t want to rely on motor vehicles,” said Case. “The $4.8 million in funding I secured to build 30-mile active transit corridor connecting East to West O‘ahu complements the City and County of Honolulu’s ‘complete streets’ approach that seeks to accommodate reasonable access and mobility for all users of public highways and byways by investing in bike and pedestrian paths, thereby reducing traffic congestion while boosting our Hawaii’s efforts to combat greenhouse gases and climate change.” The bill also includes $64 million in new federal funding for the Honolulu Rail Transit Project. These funds can be used to cover inflationary cost increases, and they are in addition to the remaining federal funding the Federal Transit Administration has already committed to the project. “This bill represents our Appropriations Committee’s commitment to fund the generational investment secured in last year’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law which I fought for,” said Case. “This funding will ensure Hawai‘i can repair and modernize our ports, roads and mass transit systems to keep up with growing use.” Additional transportation and infrastructure programs and provisions requested and secured by Case include: $896 million for the Maritime Administration, including $318 million for the Maritime Security Program, $212 million for the Port Infrastructure Development Program and $20 million for Assistance to Small Shipyards like Kalaeloa/Barbers Point. $62.9 billion for the Federal Highway Administration to improve the safety and long-term viability of our highways. $16.9 billion for the Federal Transit Administration, including $13.6 billion for formula grants to states to expand their bus fleets and ensure transit systems are in good repair. $800 million for National Infrastructure Investments. $19 billion for the FAA, including $1.6 billion for aviation safety. Direction to the FAA to work with other federal agencies, including the Department of Defense, to participate in community engagement to address noise concerns. Additional funding for the FAA’s community engagement capacity and requires the FAA to make aggregated information about noise complaints available to the public. The bill further includes the following provisions to improve access to affordable housing: $3.3 billion for the Community Development Fund. $3.6 billion for the Homeless Assistance Grants. $63 million for the Self-Help and Assisted Homeownership Opportunity Program. $58 million for the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program and Native American Veterans programs. $14.9 billion for project-based rental assistance. $22 million for the Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant (NHHBG). The NHHBG funds support the building, acquisition and rehabilitation of affordable homes. A provision allowing up to $28 million in housing loans through the Native Hawaiian Housing Loan Guarantee Program. The Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 established a loan guarantee program for Native Hawaiians who are eligible to reside on Hawaiian home lands and would otherwise face barriers to acquiring such financing because of the unique legal status of the Hawaiian home lands. A summary of the Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Appropriations is here. Energy and Water The bill’s Energy and Water section funds the Department of Energy, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) civil works programs, the Bureau of Reclamation and agencies focused on nuclear energy. The bill’s discretionary funding level is $54.6 billion, an increase of $1.7 billion over the FY 2022 enacted level. “Our $54 billion Energy and Water Appropriations bill supports the deployment of clean energy technologies to fight climate change and reduce energy prices,” said Case. “It also provides funding for flood and waterway projects through the USACE, to include key areas in Hawai‘i like the Ala Wai, Waikīkī and Kalaeloa.” “This bill makes the long term investments needed to help lower energy costs by strengthening America’s energy independence,” said Case. “At a time when our country is facing rising gas prices, the bill invests in an all-of-the-above energy strategy that leverages clean solar, wind, geothermal and hydroelectric technologies while still using our domestic resources, such as the Strategic Petroleum Reserves, to ease current supply and price pressures. Specifically, there is $15.3 billion included for energy and science innovation to support our diversification of energy sources away from foreign adversaries, create new clean energy technology jobs and ultimately save consumers money.” The bill also includes Case’s CPF request to fund the Hawai‘i State Energy Office’s Clean Energy Wayfinders Program. That groundbreaking program fosters engagement in local clean energy and energy efficiency policy, programs and projects and in training and deploying the next generation of energy workers in the state. “As our communities transition to more and more sources of renewable energy, it is critical that we also transition our current energy workforce and train the new generation to take over,” said Case. “The Hawai‘i State Energy Office, in conjunction with multiple local partners and stakeholders, has worked tirelessly to deploy their Wayfinders Program, which redefines what community engagement in the energy sector looks like by involving local workers from the start. This funding will secure their much-needed next steps in ensuring that this program continues to grow and become available to more Hawai‘i residents.” The bill also provides $8.7 billion for the USACE for its civil works programs. Case’s committee provided $173 million for the USACE’s investigations account, which funds studies for projects in Hawai‘i like the Ala Wai Flood Zone so it can be evaluated for safety and flood risks. It also provided $5.1 billion for the USACE’s operation and maintenance account, which supports ongoing USACE work in Hawai‘i, such as the Barbers Point Deep Draft Harbor. “As we in Hawai‘i brace each year for ‘hurricane season’ in the Central Pacific, this bill will assist the USACE with funds to help protect our island communities from severe storms,” said Case. “My Committee’s investment in the USACE will also help revive our water infrastructure, especially our harbors, to help keep transportation costs low. This funding will supplement state funding to help maintain our harbors in Hawai‘i, which are a critical lifeline to and from the world as we receive and distribute more than 90 percent of all of the goods through our harbors.” Other programs and provisions requested and secured by Case include: $15 million and report language for the Energy Transitions Initiative (ETI). This program, which aims to advance self-reliant island and remote communities through the development of resilient energy systems, helps recipients who face unique energy challenges due to their remote location, fossil fuel dependency and limited access to affordable infrastructure improvements. This funding supports two ETI projects in Hawai‘i - electrical infrastructure resiliency in Honolulu and alternative and autonomous mobility options for Kaua‘i. $366 million for weatherization activities, which will increase energy efficiency of over 40,000 low-income homes nationwide. In Hawai‘i, these funds are used to help low-income households reduce their energy costs by providing energy conservation education and funding weatherization measures. $3.5 billion for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. This funding will go to support many of the renewable energy projects underway across the State of Hawai‘i $470 million for Advanced Research Projects – Energy and High Energy Physics, which directly supports groundbreaking research at the University of Hawai‘i aimed at rapidly developing energy technologies that are capable of significantly changing the energy sector to address the nation’s critical economic, environmental and energy security challenges. $200 million for Cybersecurity, Energy Security and Emergency Response. This funding provides for efforts to secure the nation’s energy infrastructure against all hazards, reduce the risks of and impacts from cybersecurity events, and assist with restoration activities. Other provisions requested and secured by Case include: Encouraging the USACE to give special consideration to vulnerable coastal communities in their flood risk planning assistance, with specific direction to the Native Hawaiian community. Directing the Department of Energy to conduct and provide a report on their plan to recruit more minority populations, such as Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiians and Asian Americans to job positions in the department. Continuing Congressional support for a previously directed report to examine benefits of dredged materials to non-contiguous states, like Hawai‘i. A summary of the energy and water provisions is here. Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies The $84.2 billion Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations section of the bill supports the U.S. Department of Commerce, including the International Trade Administration, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Institute of Standards and Technology; the U.S. Department of Justice; the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); the National Science Foundation (NSF) and more. Case is in his fourth year of service on the Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Science, with jurisdiction over the bill. This year’s bill and Case’s efforts focused especially on combating crime, continuing our nation’s leadership in science and protecting our oceans. “Rising crime, both related and unrelated to gun violence, is of great concern to us all, and must be combatted at all levels of government,” said Case. “State and local law enforcement need increased assistance from our federal government to address crime at the state and local level. The more than $700 million to help local and state law enforcement will help not only to investigate and prosecute crime, but will also go to prevention and education programs to stop crime before it happens.” “My Committee’s funding comes following this summer’s enactment, with my support, of our bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the most significant gun violence prevention legislation in nearly 30 years. “Coming after still more horrific mass shootings this year, the omnibus includes provisions to improve mental health and school security and implement stricter controls on gun purchases, all funded by our bill.” The FY 2023 funding bill makes major additional investments in federal, state and local law enforcement programs, including greatly expanding gun violence prevention efforts. These include: $770 million for Byrne Justice Assistance Grants (Byrne-JAG), which is an increase of $95 million over the current funding level. Byrne-JAG is the leading federal source of criminal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions. The funds can be used to support a range of program areas including law enforcement; prosecution and court; prevention and education; corrections and community corrections; drug treatment and enforcement; planning, evaluation and technology improvement; and crime victim and witness initiatives. $700 million, an increase of $125 million above FY 2022, for Violence Against Women Act programs. These programs support comprehensive, cost-effective responses to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking. $324 million for Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Hiring Grants, which is an increase of $78 million over the current funding level. The COPS program is designed to provide funding directly to law enforcement agencies to hire and/or rehire additional career law enforcement officers in an effort to increase their community policing capacity and crime prevention efforts. $50 million for the Community Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative, which supports partnerships between law enforcement and the communities they serve to address violence intervention and prevention programs, including gang and gun violence. $125 million for grants to help state governments improve their submissions into the National Instant Criminal Background Check system for gun purchases. $55 million for Grants to Reduce the Sexual Assault Kit Backlog. $51 million for the Anti-Methamphetamine and Anti-Heroin Task Forces. $38.7 billion for the Department of Justice, including $11.3 billion for the Federal Bureau of Investigation and $860 million for the Executive Office for Immigration Review. “Our funding measure also focuses on our flagship national science programs, which translate into world-leading research and development and science and high-tech engineering projects in our Hawai‘i. “They also ensures that young people across our country can pursue science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)-related education to lead innovation and contribute to a better economy back home,” said Case. The FY 2023 bill’s investments in science include: $25 million to support facilities like the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope on the Island of Maui, the world’s most advanced solar observatory. An increase of $1.2 million to support the maintenance and needed repairs at the Atmospheric Baseline Observatories, including the Mauna Loa Observatory where the famous Keeling Curve proving rapid climate change was developed. $144 million for STEM Engagement, an increase of $7 million above the FY 2022 enacted level, to inspire young people to pursue future careers in science and engineering. This includes $45 million for NASA’s Minority University Research and Education Project, which funds Hawai’i STEM programs. $9.5 billion for the NSF, an increase of $700 million. $7.8 billion for science programs at NASA to continue efforts to explore the solar system, other planets and other solar systems. Among other things, this will support space telescopes and efforts to gain scientific knowledge about the Earth’s changing climate. Case also highlighted his efforts to boost funding of federal agencies and programs focused on the world’s oceans. Case, who traveled to Lisbon, Portugal in June 2022 as part of a delegation of Members of Congress representing the United States at the United Nations Ocean Conference 2022, said: “Our world’s oceans are in mortal danger from a variety of human-caused factors, including climate change, pollution, debris, overfishing and other over-extraction. We have very limited time to reverse course, and our country and Hawai‘i can and must lead the way.” The FY 2023 bill’s investments in the oceans and coastal communities include: $175 million for the protection, research and management of marine mammals, sea turtles and other ocean species. $80 million for the Sea Grant Program, which supports coastal and Great Lakes communities through research, extension and education. These funds help support the Hawaiʻi Sea Grant Program at the University of Hawaiʻi that concentrates on promoting healthy coastal ecosystems, sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, resilient communities and economies and environmental literacy and workforce development. $68 million for the Sanctuaries and Marine Protected Areas Program, including the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. $34 million for the Coral Reef Conservation Program. $4.5 million for the John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grants. The bill also included Case’s requests for several key U.S. Department of Justice programs, including: $560 million for the Legal Services Corporation, which helps ensure equal access to justice under the law for all Americans by providing funding for civil legal aid through organizations like Legal Aid Hawai‘i to those who otherwise would be unable to afford it. $175 million for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program. This public-private partnership has centers in all 50 states, including Hawaiʻi, dedicated to serving small and medium-sized manufacturers. $70 million for the Minority Business Development Agency. This includes $5 million specifically for Native American Business Development Program that awards grants to Tribes and American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian populations to address barriers to economic development. $455 million for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, an increase of $35 million. $122 million for the International Trade Commission, an increase of $12 million. A summary of the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations funding bill is here. Interior The Interior Appropriations bill funds the Department of the Interior, including the National Parks Service (NPS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey, Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Forest Service and various independent agencies including the National Endowments on Arts and the Humanities. The discretionary funding level is $38.9 billion, an increase of $850 million over the FY 2022 enacted level. “With the support of my Appropriations Committee, we are poised to conserve critical lands for future generations in Hawai‘i, including a possible major expansion of Haleakalā National Park and preservation of precious lands in the Kāne‘ohe Pali and Maunawili Valley,” said Case. The bill includes the following funding requested and secured by Case: $1.3 million to safeguard over nearly 700 acres in Maunawili Valley. The proposed forest reserve would be managed by the Hawai‘i Division of Forestry and Wildlife in partnership with local nonprofits seeking to steward the land, engage sustainable agriculture and restore cultural sites and lo‘i. Maunawili Forest is not only significant for its historic and cultural resources but is the natural habitat for three threatened or endangered Hawaiian damselfly species, a forest bird (‘elepaio), and four species of endangered Hawaiian wetland birds. $1.8 million to assist the State Department of Land and Natural Resources’ acquisition of nearly 1,000 acres of in Kāne‘ohe, O‘ahu. The Kāneʻohe Pali lands include freshwater springs, famous waterfalls, at least eleven streams and tributaries, native forest which comprises priority watershed, critical habitat for a wide range of native plant and animal species, the historic Luluku banana patches, mountain peaks and other geological formations. $12.9 million in additional funding for the possible acquisition of Kaupō Ranch on the southern slope of Haleakalā for the NPS. Kaupō Ranch is a key access point for the popular Kaupō Gap Trail that traverses the crater of Haleakalā National Park. This funding will help secure a 3,018 acre portion and expand recreational activities and protect important natural resources, watersheds and endangered species. Case also requested and secured funding to further address the Red Hill crisis, which is in addition to the $1 billion included in the earlier FY 2022 defense and military construction appropriations sections described below. “We need to pursue every federal resource possible from every source to pursue the continued remediation, defueling and closure of Red Hill and assure our safe drinking water,” said Case. “In this bill we supplemented other efforts by restoring native forests in the Ko‘olau Mountains that assist in recharging the Pearl Harbor watershed and increasing funding for the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund Program.” Specifically the bill includes: $1.7 million for the Hawai‘i State Department of Land and Natural Resources to conduct forest protection and aquifer recovery activities for the Pearl Harbor watershed. Protecting and restoring native forests in the Ko‘olau Mountains will help safeguard drinking water supplies and replenish the Pearl Harbor Aquifer. $93 million for the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund Program, which includes funding to the Hawai‘i Department of Health to address Red Hill issues. $2.8 billion for the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds, which provide funding to Hawaii’s regulated water systems for Hawaii’s water infrastructure projects. Case also worked to continue his effort to preserve Hawaii’s historic sites and institutions. For FY 2023, he secured $250,000 for the legacy Bishop Museum to relocate and preserve its world class ichthyology collection through the Save America’s Treasures program. Case explained: “The Bishop Museum houses one of the largest collections of coral reef fishes in the world, including the most comprehensive representation of both specimens and color images of fishes from the vast Indo‐Pacific region, including Hawai‘i and other U.S. territories. With the effects of climate change expected to devastate coral reef ecosystems in the coming decades, the importance of this collection – which emphasizes the discovery and documentation of species new to science – continues to increase.” “The collection is housed within an aging warehouse building built in the 1970s and designed to last for 10 years, which is suffering severe problems such as a leaking roof and outdated facilities. Moreover, the collection has completely filled all the available shelf space and struggles to absorb newly collected material.” Additional programs and provisions secured by Case in the Interior Appropriations bill include: $5 million for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service State of the Birds Activities to respond to the urgent needs of critically endangered birds that, due to climate change, now face extinction. These funds will help save numerous endemic birds which have been devastated by climate change and avian malaria. The measure also includes $46.6 million for the U.S. Geological Survey Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program. $64 million for the U.S. Geological Survey Species Management Research Program, which includes an increase of $500,000 to respond to the needs of critically endangered Hawaiian forest birds. $31 million for long-deferred maintenance projects at Hawaii’s National Parks. $2.9 billion for the NPS’s basic operations, an increase of $156 million. $19 million for the National Trails System, which will benefit the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail. $38 million, a $7.5 million increase, for the U.S. Geological Survey Volcano Hazards Program. This includes funding for the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, which monitors the active volcanoes in Hawai‘i, assesses their hazards, issues warnings and advances scientific understanding to reduce impacts of volcanic eruptions. $83 million for the U.S. Geological Survey’s Climate Adaptation Science Centers, which includes the Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center based out of UH Mānoa. These centers provide regionally-relevant scientific information, tools, and techniques to resource managers and communities in Hawai'i in response to our changing climate. $3 million for the NPS American Indian and Native Hawaiian Art and Culture Grants program. Language instructing the Office of Native Hawaiian Relations to expand the federal government’s Native Hawaiian community consultation efforts. $61 million for state historic preservation offices nationwide, which will help the State of Hawai‘i Historic Preservation Division preserve Hawaii’s treasured historic properties. $5 million for Japanese Confinement Site Grants and funding for the newly authorized Amache National Historic Site, which was one of ten incarceration sites established by the War Relocation Authority during World War II to detain Japanese Americans who were forcibly removed from their communities on the West Coast. The increase of $1.3 million over FY 2022 enacted levels will fund projects to tell the stories of Japanese Americans during World War II, including those interned at Hono‘uli‘uli in Kunia. $207 million for the National Endowment for the Arts, an increase of $27 million, which benefits the Hawai‘i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts as well as arts projects statewide. $207 million for the National Endowment for the Humanities, an increase of $27 million, which provides funding to the Hawai‘i Council on the Humanities, a nonprofit which supports public programs in humanities disciplines to help express I’s unique culture, stories, histories and people. A summary of the Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations is here. State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs The State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs Appropriations section of the bill funds U.S. foreign policy programs and agencies, including the Department of State, U.S. Agency for International Development, U.S. contributions to the United Nations and its agencies and more. Globally, this bill provides for U.S. foreign assistance in public health, basic education, educational and cultural exchanges, climate change and more. The discretionary funding level is $59.7 billion, an increase of $3.6 billion over the FY 2022 enacted level. This year’s bill will also implement provisions from Case’s BLUE Pacific Act, which increases overall U.S. engagement throughout the Pacific Islands. The bill also will fund key institutions and programs in Hawai‘i, such as the East-West Center and scholarships for Pacific Islanders, while supporting international efforts to combat climate change. The bill includes $22 million for the East-West Center, an increase of $2.3 million over the FY 2022 enacted level. This further increase, after years at a lower level and facing an annual zero budget request throughout the Trump Administration, places the Center on a solid and sustainable foundation from which to build further. “This bill bolsters our commitments to diplomacy, development and democracy in the Indo-Pacific, and the $22 million for the East-West Center will help cement Hawaii’s role in that effort,” said Case. “The Committee’s funding of major parts of my BLUE Pacific Act and the approval of my request to continue funding the East-West Center send a powerful message to our critical Pacific Islands partners and allies that our country values our relationships and intends to invest further in them and to continue as an active and engaged partner in pursuit of our shared interests and in defense of our shared values.” Programs and provisions secured by Case related to the Indo-Pacific and his BLUE Pacific Act include: $1.8 billion for implementation of the Indo-Pacific Strategy to counter malign influence and promote peace, prosperity and democracy in the region, an increase of over $100 million. Bill language requiring at least $150 million for the Pacific Islands region, almost double previous spending. Increased funding for the Young Pacific Leaders Program, a Department of State program for emerging young leaders from Hawai‘i, Guam, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Solomon Islands and other Pacific nations. Report language encouraging the Department of State to increase the number of scholarships available for Pacific Islanders to study in the United States, many of whom study at the University of Hawai‘i. $431 million for the Peace Corps, an increase of $20 million over the FY 2022 enacted level, along with language encouraging the Peace Corps to prioritize the Pacific Islands in the return of volunteers. Report language recommending no less than $20 million for climate resilient development and climate mitigation and adaptation efforts in the Pacific Islands. Language in support of expanding the U.S. diplomatic presence in the Pacific Islands and the programming of the U.S. Agency for Global Media in the region. Report language requiring the Department of State to create a strategy on trade capacity building in the Pacific Islands. Report language recommending the expansion of the International Law Enforcement Academy to the Pacific Islands, and supporting the Pacific Islands in their efforts to combat transnational crime. “As Hawai`i and the rest of our planet confront the very real impacts of climate change, we must act immediately to respond to this global crisis, and small islands in the Pacific are particularly vulnerable as they confront rising sea levels, extreme weather events, protracted droughts and land loss, to name just a few of the impacts brought on by this crisis,” said Case. The bill includes $2 billion to address climate change, including: $150 million for the Global Environment Facility, $1 million above the fiscal year 2022 enacted level. $125 million for the Clean Technology Fund. $270 million for adaptation programs. $260 million for clean energy programs. The bill also sustains or increases funding for several foreign policy programs supported by Case including: $1.4 billion for contributions to international organizations. $1.5 billion to support United Nations international peacekeeping activities. $777 million for educational and cultural exchange programs, which include the Fulbright programs. $6.7 billion to fight HIV/AIDS, including $2 billion for the Global Fund. $4.2 billion for maternal and child health programs. $970 million for basic education. $6.8 billion for migration and refugee assistance, and $2.5 billion for humanitarian needs in Ukraine and other countries impacted by the war. A summary of the FY 2023 State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs Appropriations is here. Homeland Security The FY 2023 Homeland Security Appropriations sections of the bill provide $86.5 billion for the Department of Homeland Security to invest in smart, effective border security, meet humanitarian needs of migrants and support federal efforts to keep the country safe. A provision in the bill would secure the nation’s critical infrastructure with dramatically increased funding to prevent cyberattacks and root out cyber intrusions. “The bottom line is that we should fully expect and prepare for Russia and individuals and entities associated with Russia to continue to engage in cyber warfare across the world, as they are already doing in Ukraine and have done in our country and elsewhere in the world and as we pursue our critical response through sanctions and other means,” said Case. “This is just as true in Hawai‘i as anywhere else in our country. For although we may be physically located on the other side of the world and far from the actual war, cyberattacks do not care about physical locations.” “We should also not assume that the targets are just governments and businesses with key infrastructure roles. The intent of cyberwarfare is to disrupt economies and societies across a broad range and so nobody is immune.” The bill also supports the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, the Transportation Security Administration, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Secret Service and more. The discretionary funding level is $86.5 billion, an increase of $3.5 billion over the 2022 enacted level. The bill includes $101 million for the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium, which includes the National Disaster Preparedness Training Center (NDPC) at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. The NDPC, a seven-member professional alliance, is the principal means through which FEMA identifies, develops, tests and delivers training to state and local emergency responders. The NDPC has trained over 2.5 million people throughout the United States and its territories. Other programs and provisions requested and secured by Case include: $355 million for the Emergency Management Performance Grants, which support state and local emergency management agencies like the Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency. $360 million for assistance to firefighter grant programs, which are a major source of funding for county fire departments. $25 million for the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program. The measure also: Includes Case’s CPF request for $2 million to harden fire station doors for the Honolulu Fire Department. Includes Case’s requested report language to support the U.S. Coast Guard in the Indo-Pacific and require the U.S. Coast Guard to examine its assets in Oceania and the facilities in O‘ahu. Directs FEMA to report on its strategies to respond to the unique challenges posed by disasters in Hawai‘i and other non-contiguous areas. Requires the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to brief Congress on resources needed to shorten the wait times for family members of Filipino World War II veterans and more quickly process the permanent resident applications of those enrolled in the Filipino War Veteran Parole Program. A summary of the FY 2023 Homeland Security Appropriations is here. Labor, Health and Human Services and Education (Labor-HHS) The Labor, Health, Human Services and Education Appropriations sections of the bill provide for significant investments in key federal programs that increase public health research and capacity, expand access to education and childcare, address labor market demands, improve health outcomes and bolster our nation’s responses to current and future public health threats. The discretionary funding level is $226.8 billion, an increase of $15 billion (7.1 percent) above FY 2022 enacted levels. “Our $227 billion Labor-HHS bill helps families and communities with the high costs of living, trains Americans for American jobs, supports workers, and strengthens our health care infrastructure,” said Case. The bill addresses our nation’s labor shortages and supports workers with: $1.8 billion for Job Corps, an increase of $11.5 million above the FY 2022 enacted level, which provides career development services for youth. $1.1 billion, for youth employment and training activities, an increase of $20 million above the FY 2022 enacted level. $885 million for adult employment and training activities, which is a $15 million increase above the FY 2022 enacted level. $285 for the Registered Apprenticeship Program, an increase of $30 million above the FY 2022 enacted level. $115 million to provide ex-offenders with training and credentials in fields that prepare them for successful reintegration into society, an increase of $13 million above the FY 2022 enacted level. $105 million for the YouthBuild program, an increase of $5 million above FY 2022 enacted level, to provide at-risk youth with basic education and job skills training in the construction field. $66 million, an increase of $5 million above the FY 2022 enacted level, for the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program. $557 million for AmeriCorps State and National Grants, an increase of $90 million over the FY 2022 enacted level. The bill helps Hawai‘i and the nation respond to current and future health threats with: $47.5 billion for the National Institutes of Health, an increase of $2.5 billion above the FY 2022 enacted level, to support a wide range of biomedical and behavioral research. $1.5 billion for the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health within the Department of Health and Human Services, an increase of $500 million to accelerate the pace of scientific breakthroughs for diseases such as ALS, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes and cancer. $1.9 billion for Community Health Centers, an increase of $110 million above FY 2022 enacted level, to provide high quality, cost-effective health care to predominantly low-income and medically-underserved communities. $350 million, an increase of $150 million above the FY 2022 enacted level, for public health infrastructure and capacity nationwide. $286 million for the Title X Family Planning Program $75 million to address the health impacts of climate change. $12.5 million for firearm injury and mortality prevention research. The bill invests in public education, school safety and childcare with: $19 billion for Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies (low income schools), an increase of $850 million above the FY 2022 enacted level. $12 billion for Head Start, an increase of $1 billion above the FY 2022 enacted level. $8 billion for the Child Care and Development Block Grant, an increase of $1.9 billion above the FY 2022 enacted level. $2.2 billion for Career, Technical and Adult Education, an increase of $100 million above the FY 2022 enacted level. $1.2 billion for the Federal TRIO Program, $50 million more than the FY 2022 enacted level, to provide academic support to low-income individuals, first-generation college students, veterans and individuals with disabilities. $315 million for Preschool Development Grants, an increase of $25 million above the FY 2022 enacted level. $70 million for Teacher Quality Partnerships, an increase of $10 million about the FY 2022 enacted level, to support teacher preparation and residency programs. $130 million for McKinney-Vento Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program, which provides homeless youth with the health services and academic support they need to succeed in and out of the classroom. $65 million to continue and expand Strengthening Community College Training Grants, which offer training to workers in in-demand industries at community colleges and four-year institutions to help meet local labor market needs. $18 million for youth violence prevention. Provides $24.6 billion for federal student aid programs to provide $7,395 for the maximum Pell Grant award, an increase of $500 above the FY 2022 enacted level. The bill supports our Native Hawaiian community with: $60 million for Native American job training programs authorized under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014. $38 million for Native American Nutrition and Supportive Services grants to promote the delivery of nutrition and home and community-based services to Native American, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Kupuna. $46 million for the Native Hawaiian Education Program, a $7 million increase from the FY 2022 enacted level. $25 million for the Strengthening Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions Program, an increase of $3 million above the FY 2022 enacted level. These funds will support tutoring, mentorships, internships, faculty development and other activities to support Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian students at the collegiate level. $27 million for the Native Hawaiian Health Care Systems, an increase of $5 million above the FY 2022 enacted level. $3 million for the Center for Indigenous Innovation and Health Equity within the Office of Minority Health to advance Indigenous solutions to achieve health equity and encourage the Department of Health and Human Services to partner with universities in these efforts. $3 million for the Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum Services Program, which provides grants to Native American-serving organizations and federally-recognized tribes to sustain indigenous heritage, culture and knowledge through museum-related services. $2 million for the Native Hawaiian Resource Center on Domestic Violence within the Family Violence Prevention Program to provide supportive services for adult and youth victims of family violence, domestic violence and dating violence and to prevent such incidents in Native Hawaiian communities. $1.5 million for the Native American Language Resource Centers, which support higher education institutions in teaching and learning languages, including research on new teaching methods for educators and developing instructional materials, among other things. Case also secured more than $13 million for his CPF requests that specifically focus on local needs in Hawai‘i: $1.8 million for the Hawai‘i Public Health Institute to develop and train navigators to support Kupuna and family caregivers. $1.8 million for Kula No Na Po‘e Hawai‘i to provide students with academic support and wraparound services. $1.7 million for the King Lunalilo Trust and Home to replace and reinforce its leaking roof. $6.5 million for the University of Hawai‘i Cancer Center to fund the construction of an early phase clinical trial unit. $1 million for the University of Hawai‘i for an indigenous data science hub. $270,000 for the YMCA of Honolulu to support wellness and mental health services for children and youth. “My Committee provided more funding for federal workforce programs that help develop local talent to address labor shortages and support our local economy,” said Case. “The measure also provides for major investments in educator recruitment and training, maternal health equity initiatives, home care for seniors and people with disabilities and high-quality childcare and preschool programs.” “This year’s funding bill builds on past funding increases I have been able to secure for Native Hawaiian-serving programs plus includes additional provisions to ensure these programs are more accessible to Native Hawaiian Organizations,” said Case. A summary of the FY 2023 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations is here. Financial Services and General Government The FY 2023 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations sections of the bill provide funding for the Department of the Treasury, including the Internal Revenue Service; the Executive Office of the President; the federal court system; the District of Columbia; and more than two dozen independent federal agencies including the SBA. The omnibus bill provides $27.6 billion for financial programs to foster community development and help small businesses and middle class families struggling with the high costs of inflation. This is an increase of $1.7 billion (7 percent) above FY 2022 enacted levels. “According to the SBA, there are more than 137,000 small businesses in our state, making up more than 99 percent of all businesses in the islands,” said Case. “But we have seen what the pandemic has done to these companies, and what they are having to deal with now as they struggle with the rising costs of inflation. “That is why I worked in this measure and elsewhere to ensure that small businesses remain the backbone of our economy including through financial, technical and emergency assistance, boosting trade opportunities, and ensuring that women-owned and Native Hawaiian-owned businesses get the help they need.” To help our small businesses nationwide, the bill provides $1.2 billion for the SBA, an increase of $188 million above the FY 2022 funding level. This includes $320 million, a $30 million increase, for Entrepreneurial Development Programs that provide small businesses with quality training, counseling and access to resources. Another provision highlights Congress’ concern about equal opportunities and directs the SBA to work closely with Congress to provide equal opportunities for Native Hawaiian Organizations. The measure includes several of Case’s requests for funding for federal programs and services especially important for Hawai‘i including: $25 million for the Native American Community Development Financial Institution Assistance Program, $4 million for the Native American Outreach Program, $4 million for the Historically Underutilized Business Zones Program, $27 million for the Women’s Business Centers Program, $24 million for the Healthy Food Financing Initiative, $140 million for Small Business Development Centers, $109 million for the Drug-Free Communities Program, $20 million for the State Trade Expansion Program, $10 million for the Regional Innovation Clusters Program, $302 million for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program, and $41 million for the Microloan Technical Assistance Program. The bill also provided $324 million for Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), an increase of $29 million above the FY 2022 enacted levels. CDFIs are specialized community-based financial institutions that promote economic development by providing financial products and services to people and communities underserved by traditional financial institutions, particularly in low-income and minority communities. They were especially valuable in delivering COVID-19 emergency assistance funds to communities without ready access to other means. One of the provisions in the measure would help to rebuild the Internal Revenue Service’s ability to finally crack down on tax avoiders and to provide better customer service to working families struggling to navigate the tax system. The bill provides $2.8 billion for Taxpayer Services, which includes support for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Matching Grants Program, Low Income Taxpayer Clinics, the Taxpayer Advocate and Tax Counseling for the Elderly Program. The measure also adopts Case’s requests to: Support efforts to improve U.S. Postal Service mail delivery in remote areas. Direct the Federal Trade Commission to produce recommendations to address the exploitation and inauthentic use of native language and culture in marketing under the Fair Package and Labeling Act. Direct the Internal Revenue Service to submit a report to Congress on the reasons for the backlog of tax returns and recommendations for preventing future backlogs. Direct the National Personnel Records Center to provide quarterly reports on its plan to spend emergency money to reduce its request backlog. A summary of the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations section of the bill is here. Defense The FY 2023 Defense Appropriations sections of the bill provide $797.7 billion for federal agencies and programs in the Department of Defense (DOD) and Intelligence Community, including the military branches of services, the Central Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency. “My Committee on Appropriations is continuing its full support of our efforts to respond directly on multiple fronts to the Red Hill crisis,” said Case. “The Committee included my request to create a $1 billion Red Hill Recovery Fund to fix, defuel and close Red Hill as safely and quickly as possible, continue to address the continuing health and other concerns of affected residents and restore our aquifer. An additional $25 million for planning and designing water treatment and distribution facilities are provided through the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies section of the bill.” The $1.0 billion included in the FY 2023 Defense Appropriations bill comes on top of $1.1 billion secured by the Hawai‘i Congressional delegation on an emergency basis earlier this year for FY 2022. Additionally, the bill supports Case’s effort to expand and improve the military’s engagement with local community throughout Hawai‘i, directing the Secretary of Defense to work with the Governor of Hawai‘i to help address the disconnect between the services and various communities in Hawai‘i. Furthermore, the bill includes Case’s requested funding for various national programs to assist the military in efforts to support local communities, including $80 million for Impact Aid education programs, $175 million for the Readiness and Environmental Protection Initiative (REPI) that protects environmentally sensitive lands, and $317 million to remediate contaminants and military munitions remaining from past activities at active military installations and formerly used defense sites. The measure also includes over $260 million for programs including the National Guard Youth Challenge and Starbase to help troubled youths. All of these programs are fully utilized by the military in Hawai‘i. “The military must foster a better relationship with the local community to repair the damaged trust caused by Red Hill and build the support needed for various defense initiatives in our state,” said Case. “A positive relationship between the military and the people of Hawai‘i is needed to prepare and respond to the threats posed by China, Russia and North Korea in the Indo-Pacific.” The bill directly addresses the risks posed by Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) to Hawai‘i and communities nationwide. The bill provides an additional $30 million above the President’s request for PFAS remediation and disposal technology; an additional $15 million for on-site PFAS remediation technologies; and an additional $20 million for Aqueous Film Forming Foam replacement, disposal and cleanup technology. The measure also supports PDI, which bolsters deterrence and maintains our competitive edge in the Indo-Pacific in recognition of threats posed by China and the need to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific. A key component of the PDI for FY 2022 is $393 million for the missile defense of Guam, which faces threats from ballistic, hypersonic and cruise missiles. More importantly, more funds are directed for exercises and activities with our partners and allies in the region. Programs and provisions requested and secured by Case include: Funding for two SSN-774 Virginia Class attack submarines, which are critical to protecting the Indo-Pacific and will be maintained at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard. $317 million for Environmental Restoration, Formerly Used Defense Sites, which is $90 million over the President’s budget request. These funds will help accelerate efforts to remove unexploded ordnance and discarded military munitions in Hawai‘i and throughout the nation. $150 million for the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, which maintains central facilities and operations at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Blocking efforts to change the command and control structure of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. There have been efforts within the department to streamline control of forces under one command structure, which would limit the ability of Navy forces in Hawai‘i to respond quickly to changing threats in the Indo-Pacific region. Retention of the military contracting preference language for Native American tribes and Native Hawaiian Organizations. $164 million for the X-Band Radar, which assists in defending Hawai‘i from ballistic missile threats as the DoD pauses funding for Homeland Defense Radar-Hawai‘i, and direction to continue a detailed reassessment of how to best protect Hawai‘i from missile attacks. $175 million for REPI, which is $8 million over the President’s request. The DoD created the REPI Program in response to land development and loss of habitat in the vicinity of or affecting military installations, ranges and airspace that can lead to restrictions or costly and inadequate training and testing alternatives. Through REPI, DoD works with state and local governments, conservation organizations and willing private landowners to address these challenges to the military mission and the viability of DoD installations and ranges. For 2022, REPI will provide $19.2 million for three projects in Hawai‘i, which will be coupled with $15.1 million in partner contributions. An $8 million increase for the Asia Pacific Regional Initiative, a key program supporting the U.S. IndoPacific Command. This program enables the military to execute Theater Security Cooperation activities, such as humanitarian assistance and paying incremental personnel costs of training and exercising with foreign security forces. The initiative is a critical tool for the U.S. military to strengthen relationships throughout the Indo-Pacific region. $39.2 billion for medical and health care programs, which includes the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP), which allocates $583 million for cancer research. The CDMRP fills research gaps by funding high impact, high risk and high gain projects that other agencies may not venture to fund. The measure also includes: $479 million to fully implement the recommendations of the Independent Review Commission on Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment. In addition, the bill provides $47 million for the Special Victims’ Counsel program. $2 billion in investments in clean energy and climate adaptation to protect facilities, readiness and global security Full funding necessary to support a 4.6 percent military pay raise. Overall, the FY 2023 Defense Appropriations bill reflects an increase of $69.3 billion to combat Russian aggression, protect national security, support servicemembers, address gender-based violence and extremism, and confront the climate crisis A summary of the defense section of the bill is here. Military Construction and Veterans Affairs The FY 2023 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations sections of the bill fund construction and maintenance of our defense facilities throughout the country and world, our national cemeteries and battle monuments, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and various small agencies and programs supporting our nation's some 19 million veterans and their families. The discretionary funding level is $154.2 billion, an increase of $26.6 billion over the FY 2022 enacted level. Case is in his fourth year of service on the Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, with jurisdiction over the bill. This section of the bill includes another $25 million in funding to address the Red Hill Crisis for the planning and design of water treatment and distribution facilities construction. These funds can also be used to design facilities to help remediate the Red Hill shaft. This will augment the $1 billion Case secured in the FY 2023 Defense Appropriations bill and the $1.1 billion the Hawai’i delegation secured in FY 2022. There is also $50 million for Indo-Pacific Command planning and design and minor construction to advance critical projects in a strategically vital region of the world. The additional funds can be used by the Navy and the Indo-Pacific Command to begin the planning and design for building new facilities to remove and relocate the fuel currently at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility. The bill also provides a further $1.3 billion, an increase of $492 million above the FY 2022 funding level, for the Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Plan (SIOP), a $21 billion multi-year effort to upgrade the Navy’s four public shipyards. This includes over $621 million for Dry Dock 5 and $20 million for the planning and design for the Waterfront Production Facility at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility, Hawaii’s largest industrial employer with some 6,000 local employees. “Keeping SIOP on track and fully funded is one of my top priorities on my Appropriations Committee,” said Case. “These additional funds are especially targeted at continuing the massive Pearl Harbor project to build a new $3.5 billion state-of-the-art drydock for the next generation of Navy submarines and surface ships, a project that will contribute tremendously not just to our national defense but to our local economy.” The bill funds critical defense infrastructure in Hawai‘i. These projects include $87.9 million for a new barracks on Marine Corps Base Hawai‘i, $103 million for upgrading the missile magazines at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and $111 million for a new company operations facility on Schofield Barracks. Case also won approval of his CPF requests for the initial planning, design and construction phase for two water system distribution upgrades serving Fort Shafter and the Tripler Army Medical Center. The water systems at both locations have begun to fail and must be replaced to ensure access to clean drinking water. The medical center upgrade will support over 450,000 service members, veterans and their families that use the hospital. These beneficiaries come from not only Hawai‘i but from throughout the Indo-Pacific. “With some 112,000 veterans in Hawai‘i and their families making up one of the largest percentages of any state in our nation including in such key areas like women and minority veterans, I focused especially on the often unique challenges of delivering full veterans’ health and other benefits in a diverse island state.” It includes a total of $134.7 billion in discretionary appropriations for VA, an increase of $22.5 billion above the fiscal year 2022 enacted level. Specific veterans programs and provisions requested and secured by Case include: $2.7 billion for homeless assistance programs for our nation’s veterans, an increase of $531 million above the FY 2022 enacted level. This funding will enhance VA’s ability to reach homeless veterans, which is particularly crucial as the most recent homelessness survey showed that on a given night in 2021, an estimated 19,750 veterans nationwide were experiencing homelessness. $13.9 billion for veteran Mental Healthcare, including $498 million for suicide prevention outreach. This will support the nearly two million veterans who receive mental health services in a VA specialty mental health setting, as well as support suicide prevention services like the Veterans Crisis Line, which is expected to see an increase in demand by over 100 percent this year. $183 million for Substance Use Disorder programs. This funding will help support care for the over 540,000 veterans who had a substance use disorder diagnosis in 2021. Additionally, $663 million is for opioid abuse prevention, an increase of $41 million above the fiscal year 2022 enacted level and equal to the budget request. This funding will allow for more targeted funding of pain management and opioid safety programs primarily at the facility level. $338 million for Rural Health Initiatives, which is $10 million above the FY 2022 enacted level. This will build upon VA’s success in having served 2.9 million veterans at 600 rural serving sites. $840.4 million to support gender-specific care for women to continue upgrading medical facilities to meet the needs of women veterans. $5.2 billion for Telehealth and Connected Care. This will continue expansion of telehealth services and includes additional mental health, primary care and rehabilitation services. The measure also: Directs the DOD to address Hawai‘i missile defense in the absence of the Homeland Defense Radar-Hawai‘i, which has been paused as the department conducts a detailed study to reassess how to best protect Hawai‘i from missile attacks. Directs the DOD to address underfunded and dilapidated Army infrastructure on O‘ahu via the Hawai‘i Infrastructure Readiness Initiative. Directs $575 million for Base Realignment and Closure remediation, an increase of $45 million above the fiscal year 2022 enacted level and $290 million above the fiscal year 2023 budget request. Within this amount, cleanup of PFAS contamination is funded at $200 million. Provides $653 million for the Energy Resilience and Conservation Investment Program, which is $100 million above the fiscal year 2023 budget request and supports the DOD's investments in energy efficiency, resilience, renewable energy systems, and energy security. Invests $16 billion in additional VA programs, including support for the Veterans Benefits Administration, medical and prosthetic research, construction programs and the VA electronic health record system Ensures veterans receive the compensation and benefits that they have earned without unreasonable delays Continues rigorous reporting requirements to track each regional VA office’s performance on claims processing and appeals backlogs. Directs the VA to examine the contracts entered into with each state home for nursing home care to determine if adequate compensation is provided for the cost of furnishing care in that location, and that no undue burden is placed on the state governments providing care to veterans. A summary of the military construction and veterans section of the bill is here. Agriculture, Rural Development, the Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies This bill would provide $25.5 billion, a 3 percent increase, for the Agriculture, Rural Development, the Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies Appropriations sections of the bill, which support the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Farm Credit Administration, Commodity Futures Trading Commission and Food and Drug Administration. The bill includes $3.5 billion, an increase of $175 million from FY 2022, for agriculture research, including pest control and specialty crop health. It also includes over $188 billion for efforts to tackle hunger and nutrition insecurity through the Women, Infants, Children; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; and child nutrition programs like school meals. “I focused in my Appropriations Committee on supporting our local farmers, farmers markets and food promotion programs, which combined will help our Hawai‘i deal with the soaring cost of food, much of which is imported to our islands,” said Case. Specific programs and provisions requested and secured by Case include: $6 million for the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program. $8 million for the Micro-Grants for Food Security program, which provides direct farming assistance to Hawaii’s subsistence and small commercial farmers. $9 million for the Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Program. $26 million for Farmers Market Nutrition Program, which helps address food insecurity with fresh produce and supports local farms. $5 million for Education Grants for Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions, the first increase for this vital program in years. This program addresses the educational needs of food and agricultural sciences-related disciplines and prepares low-income students for careers related to the food, agricultural and natural resources. $2 million to make competitive grants for agricultural research facilities in support of the Research Facilities Act and encourages the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to prioritize facilities that are located at or primarily benefit minority serving institutions when making awards. In addition, the agreement urges NIFA to conduct outreach and grant writing technical assistance prior to issuing any funding awards. $36 million appropriated for the Agricultural Quarantine Inspections Program, which focuses on preventing introduction of invasive species to Hawai‘i. The measure also: Encourages USDA to increase the number of organic research projects funded under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative and the Specialty Crop Research Initiative. Directs USDA to submit a report to Congress regarding the National Detector Dog Training Center's role in protecting the domestic agriculture sector from pests and diseases. Expresses concern that states and territories outside the contiguous U.S. are having difficulty participating in USDA broadband programs, and encourages the Secretary to consider grants or loans for satellite, or other technologies, and directs the agency to report back to the Appropriations Committee with recommendations to address these concerns. A summary of the agriculture section of the bill is here. Other Provisions In addition, the final Fiscal Year 2023 omnibus funding package included these legislative measures: Electoral Count Reform Act. The inclusion of these provisions, which Case fully supported during earlier House deliberations, is a critical and needed step safeguard the peaceful transition of power following future presidential elections. Secure Act 2.0. The inclusion of these retirement provisions, which Case fully supported during earlier House deliberations, will provide millions of workers and retirees with significant improvements to the nation’s private retirement system. The provision expands automatic enrollment into retirement plans, raises the age for required minimum disbursements from retirement plans to 75 from 73 and increases the amount that individuals aged 50 and older can put into their retirement account. It also allows employers to contribute matching payments to retirement accounts to match an employee’s student loan payments. Visit America Act. This measure supports the travel and tourism industry and establishes national goals for international visitors to the U.S. It also establishes an Assistant Secretary of Travel and Tourism within the U.S. Department of Commerce to provide high-level coordinated leadership across the federal government, one of the industry’s highest priorities which Case fully supported as a member of the Congressional Travel and Tourism Caucus. Case’s Appropriations Committee is responsible for allocating some $1.7 trillion in funding to federal government agencies, departments and organizations on an annual basis. A link to the FY 2023 omnibus is available here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-bills-to-protect-coral-reefs-reconnect-families-separated-by-korean-war-create-new-va-advisory-committee-enacted-into-law,"Hirono Bills to Protect Coral Reefs, Reconnect Families Separated by Korean War, Create New VA Advisory Committee Enacted Into Law",2022-12-23,2022,2022-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, President Joe Biden signed into law three bills introduced by U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) to protect coral reefs, connect families separated by the Korean War, and create a new Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) Advisory Committee. Senator Hirono’s Coral Reef Sustainability Through Innovation Act and Korean War Divided Families Reunification Act were both signed into law as part of the fiscal year 2023 (FY23) National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), as was legislation she introduced to create a VA Advisory Committee for veterans from outlying areas and the Freely Associated States. Senator Hirono’s Coral Reef Sustainability Through Innovation Act is a bipartisan bill to help protect coral reef ecosystems in Hawaii and across the nation from increasing threats such as climate change, pollution, and direct damage from humans. The legislation directs the federal agencies that are members of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force to establish—individually or with one or more other agencies—a coral health prize competition in order to spur innovative solutions to preserve, sustain, and restore coral reef ecosystems at no additional cost to taxpayers. “Coral reefs are vital to Hawaii’s environment, providing a rich habitat for marine life while helping to protect our coastlines and prevent flooding. However, decades of pollution and ocean warming caused by climate change have left corals in Hawaii and around the world at risk of extinction,” said Senator Hirono. “As we work to protect and restore coral reef ecosystems, I’m glad that President Biden has now signed into law my legislation to create prize competitions that will help incentivize innovation and inspire creative solutions to protect coral reefs. I’ll continue fighting to protect Hawaii’s coral reefs and all of our natural resources for generations to come.” The Korean War Divided Families Reunification Act, which Senator Hirono introduced in August, is bipartisan legislation that directs the U.S. Secretary of State to establish a formal process to help Korean American families reconnect with family members that remain in North Korea. “No family should be forcibly separated. Nearly seven decades after the Korean War armistice though, too many Korean American families are still unable to connect with family members in North Korea,” said Senator Hirono. “This legislation takes important steps toward ending this injustice by directing the Secretary of State to develop a process to reconnect these families. I’m glad to see this bill signed into law and look forward to working with the State Department to build on this progress.” Also signed into law as part of the NDAA was legislation introduced by Senator Hirono and Del. Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (D-MP) to create a VA Advisory Committee on United States Outlying Areas and Freely Associated States to advise VA on matters relating to veterans residing in American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau. “VA has a duty to provide quality, accessible care and support to all of our veterans, no matter where they live,” said Senator Hirono. “This legislation will help ensure VA is aware of, and responsive to, the needs of U.S. veterans living in outlying areas and the Freely Associated States. As a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I’m glad to see this legislation signed into law to help VA better serve our veterans across the Pacific.” As a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Hirono also secured numerous defense-related provisions in the FY23 NDAA, including $1 billion for the closure of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility on Oahu, as well as nearly $800 million for other military infrastructure projects across Hawaii. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-led-provision-providing-1-billion-to-close-red-hill-signed-into-law-as-part-of-annual-defense-bill,Hirono-Led Provision Providing $1 Billion to Close Red Hill Signed Into Law as Part of Annual Defense Bill,2022-12-23,2022,2022-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, President Biden signed into law the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) authorizing $1 billion for the defueling and closure of Red Hill secured by U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. In addition to the $1 billion for Red Hill, Senator Hirono also secured nearly $800 million for other military infrastructure upgrades in Hawaii in the annual defense bill. “Over the past year, I have fought to make sure the Department of Defense has the authority and funding necessary to defuel and close Red Hill once and for all,” said Senator Hirono. “I’m glad that President Biden has now signed the NDAA into law, giving DOD the authority I fought for to safely and quickly close Red Hill. This is about protecting the health and safety of our servicemembers, families, and all of the communities impacted by the fuel leaks. I’ll continue working to make sure DOD uses this funding appropriately in order to safely defuel and close Red Hill without delay.” In addition to the $1 billion for Red Hill, Senator Hirono also secured nearly $800 million for military infrastructure projects across Hawaii. More information on the military provisions Senator Hirono secured is available below: Red Hill Authorizes $1 billion in funding for the Red Hill Recovery Fund. Authorizes the closure of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility on Oahu and $1 billion in funding to support the closure. Develops plans for Directs the Department of Defense (DoD) to appoint a single point of contact to lead the closure of Red Hill and conduct an independent assessment of optimal post-closure care for the Red Hill facility. Establishes a water monitoring program at the facility. Directs a federally funded research and development to conduct a study to determine the range of feasible alternative DoD uses for the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility and provide to the Secretary a report on the findings of the study. Directs a briefing on the efforts of the Secretary of Defense to appropriately track the health implications of fuel leaks at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility for members of the Armed Forces and dependents thereof, including members of each Armed Force and dependents thereof. the closure, clean-up, monitoring and maintenance and post-optimal closure care for the facility; environmental remediation of ground water at the facility; and how the Department will coordinate with state regulatory authorities, water utility authority, state environmental agencies and surrounding community. While not a part of NDAA, the military is taking additional steps to address health implications, including standing up the Red Hill Clinic, administered by the Defense Health Agency, which will be the main medical agency for symptoms and conditions related to the water contamination. Delivering for Hawaii Directs the Secretary of the Navy to pay for the cost to transfer customers off the Navy’s electrical system at Kalaeloa to a new system operated by Hawaiian Electric. Authorizes up to $40 million in funding for planning and design for the Waterfront Production Facility at Pearl Harbor Shipyard. Authorizes $446 million for the replacement of Dry Dock 3 at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickham (JBPHH). Authorizes $7 million for the construction of an aircraft maintenance hangar at Marine Corps Base Kaneohe Bay. Authorizes $10 million for increasing safety and modernization of missile magazines at JBPHH. Authorizes $57.9 million for the Bachelor Enlisted Quarters at Marine Corps Base Kaneohe Bay. Authorizes $40 million for the C-40 Aircraft Maintenance Hangar at Marine Corps Base Kaneohe Bay. Authorizes $29 million for the National Guard Readiness Center, Kalaeloa. Authorizes $89 million for the Air Force Research Laboratory, Maui Experimental Site. Authorizes $25 million for the Company Operations Facility, Schofield Barracks. Authorizes $33 million for Water System Upgrades at Fort Shafter. Authorizes $38 million for the Potable Water System at Tripler Army Medical Center. Authorizes a 4.6% salary increase for servicemembers. Strengthening Our Ability to Protect the Pacific Region Directs INDOPACOM to submit a report on the international agreements necessary to achieve the necessary force presence in the Pacific, and a plan for entering into those agreements. Directs the Secretary of the Navy to implement the Comptroller General’s recommendations to the Shipyard Improvement Optimization Plan (SIOP) to better understand anticipated costs of the program. Sets a floor of at least 31 amphibious assault ships in the U.S. fleet. Authorizes $78.9 million for INDOPACOM theater exercises. Authorizes $19 million for the Pacific Multi-Domain Training and Experimentation Capability (PMTEC) to connect training ranges across the Pacific. Authorizes $2.4 million for INDOPACOM Pacific Movement Coordination Center to support collaboration and information sharing across the Pacific region. Authorizes $8 million for the Asia Pacific Regional Initiative (APRI) to strengthen the U.S. military’s relationships with Pacific region partners. Authorizes $250 million for LPD Flight II Advance Procurement to support the procurement of additional amphibious transport docks. Prioritizing Sustainability Requires DoD to transition fully to electric and other alternatively-fueled vehicles for its fleet of non-tactical vehicles by 2035, helping reduce the DoD’s reliance on fossil fuels. Authorizes $176 million for the Readiness and Environmental Protection Initiative (REPI) to make military installations more resilient to climate change and land use conversion. Authorizes $30 million to improve the reliability of the electrical grid at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam under the Energy Resilience and Conservation Investment Program (ERCIP). ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://case.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1019,"Congress Approves Case, Kahele Measure To Advance Possible Designation Of Ka'ena Point As A National Heritage Area",2022-12-22,2022,2022-12,Democrat,House,HI,Ed Case,C001055,case.house.gov,case,https://case.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27&Page=16,scraper,"(Washington, DC) – U.S. Congressman Ed Case (HI-01) announced today that the U.S. House of Representatives has given final Congressional approval to a bill he and U.S. Congressman Kai Kahele (HI-02) introduced to advance the possible designation of Ka‘ena Point on O‘ahu’s westernmost tip as Hawaii’s first Natural Heritage Area (NHA). The Senate, where a companion measure was introduced by Senator Mazie Hirono, approved passage of the bill earlier this week as part of an end-of-117th-Congress NHA package. The measure now goes to President, who is expected to sign it into law. “Our bill, which I first drafted and introduced in the 116th Congress (2019-2021), directs the U.S. Department of the Interior to evaluate whether Ka‘ena Point, a treasured wilderness area on otherwise densely-populated O‘ahu, should be designated as our first NHA,” said Case. “Kaʻena Point, largely state-owned, is the perfect candidate for an NHA in Hawaiʻi given its truly unique cultural, historic and environmental heritage and qualities. I fully expect the required study to confirm that Ka‘ena Point holds valuable resources that reflect our country’s heritage and are worthy of conservation and recognition. “The State of Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) has already created a management plan for the Ka‘ena Point Stewardship Area to protect one of the last few remaining and easily accessible wilderness areas on O‘ahu,” said Case. “With a NHA designation, we can unlock federal funds to support existing local plans for Ka‘ena Point. The local community will be fully involved in both the study and, in the event of NHA designation, in its stewardship. “I am grateful for the partnership of Congressman Kahele and Senator Hirono in achieving passage of our measure.” “Kaʻena Point holds a special place for many Native Hawaiians who visit the area for traditional cultural practices & spiritual connection,” said Kahele. “The potential establishment of Kaʻena Point as a National Heritage Area will ensure the conservation and preservation of the unique cultural, archaeological & ecological features & species found nowhere else in Hawai’i”. Case and Kahele’s measure focuses on the undeveloped area of Kaʻena Point on the west end of Oʻahu from Mākua to Waialua. It is the site of the last intact sand dune ecosystem in Hawaiʻi and is said to be named after a sibling of the Hawaiian goddess Pele. Kaʻena Point also includes a leina ka ‘uhane, an important recognized cultural site that, according to Hawaiian tradition, is where the souls of the deceased leapt into the next plane of existence. Ka‘ena is also home to various protected species including the Hawaiian monk seal, Laysan albatross and ‘ōhai flower. The study would include the approximately 1,500 acres of both the State of Hawaii’s natural area reserve and the state park already in place at Ka‘ena Point. NHAs are designated to recognize and protect our nation’s unique conservation, recreation, historic, cultural, education and preservation areas. NHAs can receive federal funds to help local communities preserve and manage such resources under federal-state-community partnerships. The text of the bill is available here . Video of Case speaking in the U.S. House on the day the bill initially passed his Chamber on March 15, 2022, is here . Attachments: Aerial picture of Ka‘ena Point courtesy Congressman Case Other pictures of Ka‘ena Point courtesy Lindsay Young ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-secures-nearly-450-million-for-hawaii-in-federal-spending-bill,Hirono Secures Nearly $450 Million for Hawaii in Federal Spending Bill,2022-12-22,2022,2022-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) voted to pass the Fiscal Year 2023 government spending bill, which includes nearly $450 million in earmarks, known as Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS), she secured for nonprofit organizations and government agencies in Hawaii. Senator Hirono secured CDS funding for projects in every county in Hawaii, including military construction projects, community health organizations, projects to support Native Hawaiian communities, and more. The spending bill passed the Senate by a vote of 68-29, and now heads to the House, where it is expected to pass and be sent to President Biden to be signed into law. “This funding bill invests in our communities, our country, and our national defense,” said Senator Hirono. “I’m proud to have secured nearly $450 million in federal funding for projects across Hawaii as part of this bill. From protecting our environment, to strengthening our state’s emergency management capabilities, to supporting community health organizations and more, these projects will benefit people and communities across our state. I look forward to seeing this bill signed into law and these funds put to good use for the people of Hawaii.” A full list of the projects for which Senator Hirono secured CDS funding is below. Schofield Barracks - $111,000,000 To construct standard design Company Operations Facilities for four companies and Troop Aid Station. Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam - $103,350,000 To construct three box magazines for ordnance storage and improve perimeter security. Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH) - $87,900,000 To provide the required enlisted personnel housing units to accommodate personnel stationed at MCBH. Fort Shafter - $38,000,000 To provide a Potable Water System for Hawaii’s Tripler Army Medical Center and for antiterrorism protection measures to enhance potable water system resiliency and security. Fort Shafter - $33,000,000 To construct two potable water wells and one above ground water storage tank, and to replace infrastructure to increase well production, water storage capacity, and improve potable water quality. Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam - $20,000,000 To plan and design a Waterfront Production Facility that will bring light industrial productive capacity and shipboard worker services closer to the drydocks in a permanent and modern facility. County of Hawaii - $13,000,000 To provide facilities at Hilo Memorial Hospital for necessary community services. University of Hawaii (UH), UH Cancer Center - $6,500,000 To support the construction of a new Early Phase Clinical Research Center (EPCRC) at the UH Cancer Center’s Kakaako campus (Oahu), which will provide Hawaii’s cancer patients and families with access to novel clinical trials that are currently only available on the U.S. mainland. Kauai County Housing Agency - $5,000,000 To provide infrastructure for housing development in Hanapepe, Ele'ele, and Port Allen on Kauai. City and County of Honolulu - $3,538,000 To provide stable, affordable housing to those with mental illness. Hoahu Energy Cooperative Molokai - $3,000,000 To construct a solar power and battery energy storage system on Molokai that will be the first community-led, community-owned energy project on the island, displacing diesel generation. University of Hawaii at Manoa - $2,250,000 To establish the Shoreline Equity and Adaptation Hub (SEA Hub) to understand shoreline communities’ needs and develop equitable solutions to the challenge of adapting to sea level rise. Department of Water Supply, County of Hawaii - $2,080,000 To construct a deep well at a location that reduces the infrastructure required to bring high quality drinking water to the North Kona water system. Maikai Health Corporation, Hawaii Island - $2,000,000 To support the construction of a comprehensive health center site to provide a wide spectrum of out-patient services, including several that are not currently offered in the community. Waimanalo Health Center, Oahu - $2,000,000 To support the construction of an expansion facility that would provide oral health, vision, health promotion and disease prevention, cultural healing, and other comprehensive health services to the Waimanalo community. Maui County and Kauai County - $1,500,000 To prevent the extinction of Hawaii’s critically endangered native forest birds by focusing on developing/scaling a new intervention to suppress invasive mosquitoes and reduce avian malaria infections for Hawaii’s native forest birds. County of Maui - $1,400,000 To provide a new emergency operations center and security operations center with electrical, technological, audiovisual and security systems, and provide redundant power and communications systems. Daniel K. Inouye US Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center - $1,215,000 To complete the facility’s solar panel installation and roof design, and install a sidewalk for the insectary. Department of Public Works, County of Kauai - $1,200,000 To engineer and inspect the Wailua—Kapaa sewer system serving as a prerequisite to sewer system expansion, ensuring system reliability to conform with State legislation to replace all cesspools in the state by 2050. Aha Punana Leo (APL) - $1,126,000 To support the reaccreditation of Aha Punana Leo’s (APL) statewide Hawaiian language medium early childhood education programs, providing for another 13-year indigenous early learning accreditation and allowing APL to seek mainstream recognition of this accreditation within the state of Hawaii. YWCA Hawaii Island - $1,102,000 To support an initiative to demonstrate the feasibility of breaking the cycle of intergenerational trauma by healing trauma caused by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) among new parents with multiple ACEs, and providing support to enable them to provide an ACE-free childhood for their young children. The Nature Conservancy - $1,000,000 To empower local communities across Hawaii to co-manage coastal resources in partnership with NOAA, the State Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR), and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) to restore healthy reefs and nearshore fisheries. Division of Forestry and Wildlife, State of Hawaii - $1,000,000 To purchase equipment necessary to locate and remove species that prey on endangered plants and animals in priority areas. University of Hawaii, Office of Indigenous Innovation - $1,000,000 To support the creation of an Indigenous Data Science Sector Development Initiative (IDSSDI), which would address the need for diversification of Hawaii’s economy through the restoration of Indigenous agencies. Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) - $850,000 To implement a collaborative effort to establish selected invasive pest-free areas for nursery production across Hawaii and implement post-harvest sanitization methods to reduce presence of regulatory pests on nursery products entering export markets. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance - $800,000 To renovate and repair facilities used to educate and engage with the community on Hawaiian bird conservation. Kumano I Ke Ala o Makaweli, Kauai - $796,000 To support the development of K-12 school curriculum focused on natural resource management, traditional Hawaiian language and agriculture, and food production. Malama Aina Foundation - $765,000 To install 150 planter boxes at 50 K-12 schools and community organizations to provide full-scale, culturally-integrated agricultural K-12 STEM education for low-income students in underserved areas on Hawaii Island and Oahu. City and County of Honolulu - $679,000 To take a cost-effective, resilient approach to managing storm water impacts by installing two types of Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) to replace damaged and aging hardened storm drainage structures in the urban Honolulu area. Parents and Children Together, Oahu - $550,000 To provide funding for afterschool and other out-of-school-time services (e.g., homework health, afterschool meals) for children and youth living in, and adjacent to, the Kuhio Park Terrace (Kalihi) and Puuwai Momi (Aiea) public housing communities. Hale Kipa, Oahu - $500,000 To increase the community of parent leaders in Hawaii, create a parent leadership support group, and provide parent specific support through skill building, leadership, and coaching; will establish a community based behavioral health clinic and assessment center, offering individual parenting skill and parent leadership classes to the community at large. Malama Kauai - $492,000 To construct a food hub facility to serve the surrounding community. Susannah Wesley Community Center, Oahu - $325,000 To convene representatives from various Native Hawaiian organizations to develop a strategy to increase intervention and prevention efforts related to the sexual exploitation of Native Hawaiian children, and develop culturally appropriate human trafficking awareness training curricula and materials for stakeholder groups within the Native Hawaiian community, including parents, youth (ages 12-18), schools, and healthcare practitioners. Kalamapii PLAY School, Hawaii Island - $197,000 To create a pilot program serving 70 preschool-aged students in Hilo, Hawaii that combines therapy with preschool play to focus on collective learning and recovery from trauma. The Legal Clinic, Oahu - $120,000 To offer immigration law internships for Hawaii-based law students and training for legal practitioners culminating in a Criminal Immigration Seminar in the fall of 2023. Department of Water Supply, County of Hawaii - $80,000 To replace large, under-registering meters to customers that use significant amounts of water, resulting in proper billing to customers and providing accurate data to reduce water loss. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/house-passes-hirono-bill-to-study-designating-kaena-point-a-national-heritage-area,House Passes Hirono Bill to Study Designating Kaena Point a National Heritage Area,2022-12-22,2022,2022-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the National Heritage Area Act, which includes the Kaena Point National Heritage Area Act, legislation introduced by U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) to study designating Kaena Point on Oahu as a National Heritage Area, by a vote of 326-95. The legislation would require the Department of the Interior (DOI) to study the feasibility of designating Kaena Point, on Oahu, as a National Heritage Area. The National Heritage Area Act, S. 1942, passed the Senate unanimously earlier this week and now heads to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law. “Kaena Point offers one of the last glimpses of undisturbed coastline in Hawaii and is home to numerous cultural, historical, and natural resources,” said Senator Hirono. “A National Heritage Area designation would bring much-needed federal support to maintain and manage Kaena Point, as well as protect the native and endangered species that inhabit the site. This bill will help preserve this precious ecosystem and ensure it can be appreciated for years to come.” The Kaena Point National Heritage Area Actdirects the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with state and local stakeholders, to study the possibility of designating Kaena Point as a National Heritage Area. It requires the study to be completed within 3 years and that upon completion the Secretary submit a report to Congress on the findings. The bill is supported by the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources. Representative Ed Case introduced the companion Kaena Point National Heritage Area Act, H.R. 1908, which passed the House of Representatives in March. A National Heritage Area designation would unlock federal resources to help elevate public awareness of Kaena Point and enhance management activities to protect cultural and natural resources for future generations. Kaena Point is currently managed by the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources and includes the second-most visited park on Oahu—Kaena Point State Park. The State Park also serves as a gateway to the Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve, which was established over 30 years ago to help preserve one of the last intact dune ecosystems in Hawaii. The coastal ecosystems and nearshore waters at Kaena Point offer critical habitat to numerous endemic and endangered species. The full text of the National Heritage Act can be found here. As a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee, Senator Hirono has championed legislation to protect Hawaii’s environment, fish, wildlife, and plants. In September, she introduced legislation authorizing $55 million in federal funding over the next eleven years to support ongoing efforts to help combat Rapid Ohia Death in Hawaii. At a ENR subcommittee hearing, Senator Hirono delivered remarks emphasizing the importance of the Kaena Point National Heritage Area Act, legislation she introduced earlier this year to study the feasibility of designating Kaena Point as a National Heritage Area. This past March, Senator Hirono introduced a bipartisan resolution designating April 2022 as “National Native Plant Month,” recognizing the importance of native plants to environmental conservation and restoration, as well as in supporting a diversity of wildlife. In April 2021, she also announced that the Kona Soil and Water Conservation District was one of the projects to receive federal funding to boost biodiversity and support wildlife habitats. Earlier that year, Senator Hirono joined the other members of the Hawaii delegation in introducing legislation to assess the potential for Hawaii lands to be declared a national forest. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-bill-to-support-native-hawaiian-language-schools-and-programs-set-to-become-law,Schatz Bill To Support Native Hawaiian Language Schools And Programs Set To Become Law,2022-12-22,2022,2022-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Native American Language Resource Center Act. The bipartisan legislation, authored by U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, will bolster Native American language schools and programs with coordinated, experienced support. The bill now heads to the president’s desk to be signed into law. “As we have seen in Hawai‘i, Native speaker-led language programs have proven that culturally based instruction is key to revitalizing and maintaining indigenous knowledge and traditions,” said Senator Schatz. “The Native American Language Resource Center will build on this grassroots momentum to support Native American language schools and programs by providing them with the resources they need to continue to thrive.” The Native American Languages Resource Center will comprise a consortium of institutions housed at multiple locations throughout the country, reflecting the geographic diversity of Native American languages, cultures, and communities. It will support Native language students at all levels of learning, act as a central nexus for Native American language schools and programs across the nation, and provide additional resources to enhance distance learning capacity. The bill is supported by the National Congress of American Indians, National Indian Education Association, National Coalition of Native American Language Schools and Programs, Joint National Committee for Languages – National Council for Languages and International Studies, and the Hawaiian Language Renormalization Committee. In addition to the Native American Language Resource Center Act, Schatz’s Durbin Feeling Native American Languages Act is also set to become law. The bipartisan bill named after Durbin Feeling, a renowned Cherokee linguist and Vietnam veteran who passed away on August 19, 2020, will review and make recommendations to improve federal agencies’ coordination in support of Native American languages. It would also authorize a federal survey of Native language use and programmatic needs every five years. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-federal-funding-for-hawaii-continues-to-increase,Schatz: Federal Funding For Hawai‘i Continues To Increase,2022-12-22,2022,2022-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Senate passed the annual government funding bill which will increase federal funding for critical programs that benefit Hawai‘i. As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), worked with his colleagues on the committee to successfully secure new and increased federal funding for Hawai‘i’s priorities. “We continue to see big increases in federal funding for Hawai‘i. This appropriations bill will give our state funding to grow our local economy, improve roads and public transit, protect our environment, and strengthen housing, education, and health care programs,” said Senator Schatz, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development. The bill provides new funding for the Honolulu Rail Project and to defuel and shut down the Red Hill Bulk Storage Facility. It also will increase funding for transportation, housing, and clean energy projects, as well as Native Hawaiian health and education programs. The bill also includes more than a half a billion dollars in new earmark funding secured by Senator Schatz – more than double the amount he delivered to Hawai‘i last year. The bill is expected to pass the House of Representatives and be signed into law by the president by the end of the week. FUNDING HIGHLIGHTS FOR HAWAI‘I: Red Hill Recovery Fund – $1 billion, new funding. The Red Hill Recovery Fund will enable the Navy and Joint Task Force Red Hill to effectively defuel and shut down the Red Hill Bulk Storage Facility. The leak that contaminated the Navy’s public water system and neighboring communities affected thousands of residents. This funding will aim to also support the DoD’s ability to comply with the standards set in place by the State of Hawai‘i Department of Health (HDOH) which include the necessary oversight and improvements required to ensure that the facility is successfully defueled and closed. The Red Hill Recovery Fund will support ongoing environmental monitoring and health remediation efforts and provide the resources required to enable the DoD to responsibly close the facility by approved timelines as set forth by HDOH. Red Hill Water Treatment Facility – $25 million, new funding. This funding allows the Navy to conduct initial planning and design activities to explore the feasibility of a potential water treatment and distribution facility, if necessary, for the Red Hill shaft. Native Hawaiian Education – $46 million, a $7 million increase from last year, which includes $10 million set aside for facility construction, renovation, and modernization. This funding supports programs that strengthen Native Hawaiian culture, improve levels of educational attainment, and enhance family and community involvement in education. Senator Schatz included a provision to allow funds to be used for construction, renovation, and modernization of public schools that predominantly serve Native Hawaiian students. Native Hawaiian Health Care – $27 million, a $5 million increase from last year. Native Hawaiian Health Care Systems, as part of the Native Hawaiian Health Care Program, provide critical access to health education, promotion, disease prevention, and basic primary care services for thousands of Native Hawaiians. This funding will support five health centers on Hawai‘i Island, Kaua‘i, Moloka‘i, Maui, and O‘ahu, and Papa Ola Lokahi. Native Hawaiian Housing – $22.3 million. As Chairman of both the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs and the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Housing, Senator Schatz worked to secure funding for the Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant Program, which provides financial assistance for Native Hawaiian families to obtain new homes, make renovations, build community facilities, and receive housing services, including counseling, financial literacy and other critical resources to address housing disparities. This year’s funding level preserves last year’s historic $20.3 million increase from the status quo. Native Hawaiian Resource Center on Domestic Violence – $2 million, a $1 million increase from last year. The Domestic Violence Resource Network, funded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will establish a new state resource center dedicated to reducing disparities and strengthening domestic violence intervention and prevention efforts for Native Hawaiians. Affordable Housing and Community Development – $72.1 billion (nationwide), a $6.5 billion increase over last year. As Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development, Senator Schatz fought to secure the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) funding, which includes Tenant-Based Rental Assistance, Project-Based Vouchers, Veteran Affairs Supportive Housing, Public Housing, and Housing for Persons with AIDS. Funding also includes: $6 billion for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program which provides funding for economic and community development projects that benefit low- and moderate-income households. $85 million in new funding for the Yes In My Backyard Incentive Grant Program. This funding, part of the overall CDBG amount, establishes a new federal grant program to reward state, local, and regional jurisdictions that adopt land-use policies that will ultimately increase the supply of affordable housing. Bus and Transit – $16.7 billion (nationwide). This funding is distributed among states and counties for the operation and capital costs associated with public transit systems, including the Maui Bus, TheBus, Kaua‘i Bus, Hele-On Bus, and TheHandi-Van fleets. This amount also includes competitive grant funding. As part of the overall amount, the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit is receiving nearly $64 million to speed the completion of the light rail project. Energy Transitions Initiative – $15 million, a $5 million increase from last year. This program helps remote and island communities design their own clean energy and resilience solutions to address high energy costs and reliability issues, with help from world-class U.S. Department of Energy experts. In 2022, the program gave awards to the University of Hawai‘i and Hui o Hau‘ula, a community organization on O‘ahu. In 2021, the program gave awards to Kaua‘i and Honolulu. $15 million in funding increases the size of the program by 50 percent, and report language directs the Department of Energy to support stakeholder engagement and capacity building through regional project partner organizations, including the Hawai‘i Natural Energy Institute. Highway and Transportation – $62.9 billion (nationwide), a $2.3 billion increase over last year. This funding is distributed to states for highway maintenance and new construction of bridges, roads, and bike and pedestrian paths. Kane?ohe Pali – $1.8 million, new funding. This funding from the Forest Legacy Program will go towards efforts to protect and preserve the Kane?ohe Pali, including a priority watershed and one of the largest traditional Hawaiian agricultural complexes on O‘ahu. Maunawili Valley – $1.3 million, new funding. This funding from the Forest Legacy Program will go towards efforts to protect and preserve the Maunawili Valley, including the largest wetland in Hawai‘i and many historic and cultural sites. Haleakala National Park – $12.9 million, new funding. This funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund will help support projects at Haleakala National Park. Haleakala National Park, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, and Kalaupapa National Historical Park – $30.5 million, new funding. Funding from the Legacy Restoration Fund for rehabilitation of fences to protect park resources at Haleakala National Park, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, and Kalaupapa National Historical Park. Farm to School Grant Program – $14 million, a $2 million increase from last year. Funding supports farm to school activities, which increases access to fresh, nutritious, and locally-produced foods in school systems and early care and education settings while supporting agricultural producers nationwide. Funding from this U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) program supports the Hawai‘i Department of Education’s efforts to purchase 30 percent locally sourced food by 2030. Food Security Microgrants – $3.2 million, a $1.2 million increase from last year. This funding will go towards helping individuals and groups in Hawai‘i purchase tools, soil, seeds, plants, animals, composting units, gardening systems, and other necessities for growing and preserving food. The funds can also be used to expand areas under cultivation, extend the growing season, build or repair livestock fencing, travel to agricultural education programs, expand the sale of locally grown crops and meats, and engage in other activities that increase food security. Native Community Development Capacity Building – $1 million, new funding. This funding from HUD’s Section 4 program is for non-profit organizations to carry out affordable housing and community development activities to support American Indian, Native Hawaiian, and Alaska Native communities. Native American Language Preservation – $15 million (nationwide), a $1 million increase from last year. This funding supports Native American language preservation activities under the Administration for Native Americans, and includes $6 million for Native American language immersion schools as authorized under the Every Student Succeeds Act. Public Health Emergency Preparedness Cooperative Agreement – an estimated $6.1 million, a $481,000 increase from last year. Funding to build and strengthen the Hawai‘i Department of Health’s abilities to effectively respond to public health threats. This funding level will help restore and maintain capacity at health departments, modernize data systems, and advance laboratory capacity. Hospital Preparedness Program – an estimated $1.4 million, an $88,370 increase from last year. This program is the primary source of federal funding for health care system preparedness and response. The Assistant Secretary for Preparedness Response program helps to build coalitions of health care and response organizations to respond to emergencies and disasters. Immunizations – an estimated $3.6 million, a $432,000 increase from last year. Provides funding to the Hawai‘i Department of Health to purchase vaccines for children, adolescents, and adults. The Section 317 Program helps achieve national immunization coverage targets and reduce disease. Native American Language Immersion Schools and Program – $12.4 million (nationwide), a $3 million increase from last year. This funding supports the Native American language immersion grant program and the State-Tribal Education Partnership program. Senator Schatz co-authored the legislation to create new grants for Native American immersion schools and programs. Native Hawaiian and Alaska Native-Serving Institutions – $24 million to Hawai‘i and Alaska, a $3 million increase from last year. This program provides funding and vital support to Hawai‘i’s colleges and universities, enabling them to improve and expand their capacity to serve Native Hawaiian students. Compact of Free Association Impact – $6 million (nationwide), a $1 million increase from last year. The United States has entered into the Compact of Free Association (COFA) with the governments of the Freely Associated States (FAS), which are the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau. These Compacts allow FAS citizens to live in the United States and receive certain benefits. This funding will help Hawai‘i provide those benefits to FAS citizens who live and work in the state. Microgrids for Underserved and Indigenous Communities – $10 million, protected funding for a new program. This funding is for the second year of a coordinated research, development, deployment, and training program focused on microgrid technologies in underserved and Indigenous communities. This program was created last year within the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Electricity. It aims to provide replicable microgrid solutions to address the broad array of reliability and price challenges facing remote and island communities throughout the United States. Report language directs the Department of Energy to partner with organizations with specialized experience addressing local energy challenges, including community-based organizations and institutions of higher education, with a priority for minority-serving institutions. Hansen’s Disease Treatment – $2 million. Funding solely awarded to Hawai‘i for the care and treatment of patients with Hansen’s disease. Though Hansen’s disease is rare and treatable, Hawai‘i has among the highest prevalence in the country. This funding supports the Hawai‘i Department of Health to provide treatment for patients living in Kalaupapa and on O‘ahu. Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument – $1.2 million. This funding supports the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Ocean Service to provide competitive education, research, and management grants for existing marine national monuments, including the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. National Estuarine Research Reserve, including He‘eia – $32.5 million (nationwide), a $2.8 million increase from last year. Funding will be shared among system sites, including the He‘eia National Estuarine Research Reserve. This site demonstrates the value of Native Hawaiian taro cultivation and fishpond aquaculture to maintain a healthy ecosystem. It is viewed by NOAA to be a model site because of its seamless integration of science and culture. Endangered Hawaiian Marine Species Protection – $12 million, a $750,000 increase from last year. $4.6 million in funding will continue to support conservation and recovery of monk seals, the only seal species in the world that lives in only one nation's territorial waters, with research on vaccination and disease prevention (morbillivirus and toxoplasmosis). $5.6 million in funding will support sea turtle conservation activities such as continued monitoring of endangered turtle populations and the impacts of habitat loss. $1.375 million in funding will support investigations into interactions between fisheries and false killer whales. $375,000 will be dedicated to state-led conservation activities. Coffee Leaf Rust Research – $1.2 million (nationwide). This funding will support development of science-based management strategies, extension services, and research on varieties of coffee that are resistant to coffee leaf rust. Macadamia Nut Health Initiative – $1 million. This funding will support research to combat and control the felted macadamia nut coccid to improve the production of this iconic Hawaiian crop. Japanese American Confinement Sites, including Hono‘uli‘uli – $4.6 million (nationwide), a $1.2 million increase from last year. Funding will support Japanese American Confinement Sites (JACS) grants. JACS grants support the preservation of Japanese American internment camps, including the Hono‘uli‘uli National Monument, through partnerships with local preservation groups. Grants may also be used to encourage and support the research, interpretation, and preservation of internment camps to help prevent the injustice of internment from being repeated. Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions – $18 million (nationwide), a $7.5 million increase from last year. This program provides funding and vital support to Hawai‘i’s colleges and universities, enabling them to improve and expand their capacity to serve Asian American and Pacific Islander students. Center for Indigenous Innovation and Equity – $4 million, a $1 million increase from last year. Funding supports the Office of Minority Health, which funds the University of Hawai‘i, in partnership with other academic institutions, to provide education, service and policy development, and research to advance health equity among American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) and Native Hawaiian populations. Impact Aid Program – approximately $54 million, a $2 million increase from last year. The estimated Impact Aid funding will provide the Hawai‘i Department of Education with the resources to help finance the education of federally-connected children. Impact Aid funds a range of programs, including efforts to retain highly qualified teachers, adequate technology, facilities renovation, and maintenance of transportation fleets. DoD Impact Aid Program – $80 million (nationwide), a $10 million increase from last year. The funding provides support to school districts with high concentrations of military students and school districts that enroll children of military families with severe disabilities. STEM Apprenticeship Grant Program – $2.5 million (nationwide), a $500,000 increase from last year. The funding will continue a new grant program created by Senator Schatz. The program at the Economic Development Administration will help expand and create new apprenticeships in STEM fields. In 2021, the Maui Economic Development Board received $300,000 from this program; the 2022 awardees have not yet been announced. Senator Schatz introduced the legislation creating the program, which was signed into law in 2017 as part of the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act. Geographically Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers – $4 million (nationwide), a $1 million increase from last year. This funding reimburses geographically disadvantaged producers in Hawai‘i, Alaska, and insular areas with a portion of the cost to transport agricultural commodities or inputs used to produce an agricultural commodity. Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) Program – $69 million (nationwide), a $3 million increase from last year. Funding supports community-driven, evidence-informed, and culturally-tailored programs to address the root causes of chronic disease in communities by focusing on interventions that improve nutrition, increase physical activity, promote tobacco-free living, and support linkages between community-based and clinical services. Minority Centers of Excellence – $28 million (nationwide), a $4 million increase from last year. Funding supports the Native Hawaiian Center of Excellence at the University of Hawai‘i John A. Burns School of Medicine to prioritize education and training for Native Hawaiians to enter and successfully complete a health professions education. The program also supports research and community partnerships that build the capacity of Native Hawaiian students and faculty to succeed in medicine. Native American Language Resource Center – $1.5 million (nationwide), a $1 million increase from last year. This funding will continue to support the establishment of a Native American Language Resource Center (NALRC) to provide best practices and curricula development on Native American language education, including the Native Hawaiian language. Senator Schatz has introduced legislation to permanently authorize the NALRC program. East-West Center – $22 million, a $2.3 million increase from last year. This funding will allow the East-West Center to continue and expand its education, professional development, research, policy dialogue, journalism, and cultural programs throughout the Indo-Pacific. The East-West Center directly supports U.S. engagement in the Indo-Pacific through cooperative study, research, and dialogue with countries in the region. State of the Birds Research – $4.7 million, a $1 million increase from last year. State of the Birds activities are dedicated to stopping the bird extinction crisis in Hawai‘i. More than 90 Hawaiian bird species have gone extinct, and nine listed Hawaiian bird species are currently in decline. These funds are crucial to prevent further extinctions as climate change, habitat degradation and destruction, and other human and environmental impacts threaten to reach crisis levels. Species Management Research – $64 million (nationwide), a $23.5 million increase from last year, which includes $500,000 for Hawaiian birds. This funding supports scientific research used to protect, conserve, and enhance wildlife populations. For the first time, this funding includes $500,000 dedicated to responding to the urgent needs of critically endangered Hawaiian forest birds that face imminent extinction. Coral Reef Conservation – $33.5 million (nationwide), a $500,000 increase from last year. This funding supports NOAA’s Coral Reef Conservation Program, which addresses the top threats to coral reef ecosystems in Hawai‘i and across the country. Working with partners, NOAA develops place-based strategies, measures the effectiveness of management efforts, and builds capacity among reef managers globally. Airport Agricultural Inspections – $35.5 million (nationwide), a $1.7 million increase from last year. In Hawai‘i, this program helps to fund federal agricultural inspectors at airports on Kaua‘i, Maui, O‘ahu, and Hawai‘i Island. It is critical to conduct inspections at the neighbor island airports so that passengers can directly connect to flights to the mainland. National Sea Grant College Program – $80 million (nationwide), a $4 million increase from last year. The National Sea Grant College Program supports colleges, including the University of Hawai‘i, and other institutions for research, education, and advisory services in any field related to the conservation and development of marine resources. National Marine Sanctuaries – $68 million (nationwide), a $7 million increase from last year. The National Marine Sanctuary program has two sites in Hawai‘i: the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, and the Hawaiian Island Humpback Whale Sanctuary. Both bolster tourism and robust recreational industries, promote visitation, engage businesses in stewardship, and drive the growth of the blue economy through diving, recreation, hospitality, and tourism. Funding will support research, preserve habitat for endangered, threatened, and rare species, preserve our nation’s maritime heritage, and protect heritage sites for indigenous peoples, such as Native Hawaiians. Resilient Innovative Sustainable Economies via University Partnership (RISE-UP Initiative) – $9 million, a $1.5 million increase from last year. The Resilient Innovative Sustainable Economies via University Partnerships (RISE-UP) Initiative, established in the FY22 defense appropriation, seeks to leverage the technical expertise of public universities located in similarly isolated states, but which play an important role in U.S. national security, to collectively develop and commercialize scalable technologies and build a workforce to meet future national security needs. This funding will continue to support the University of Hawai‘i’s efforts to create incubators aimed at developing and commercializing scalable technologies related to clean energy, marine technology, and other economic areas tied to the maritime space. Native American Workforce Programs – $60 million (nationwide), a $3 million increase from last year. This funding supports programs that provide quality employment and training services to Native Hawaiian organizations, Tribes, Tribal organizations, Alaska Native entities, and Indian-controlled organizations serving unemployed and low-income Native Hawaiians, Native Americans, and Alaska Natives. Veterans Affairs – $135.2 billion in non-defense discretionary funding and $168.6 billion in mandatory funding, a $34 billion increase from last year (nationwide). Funding included for: VA Medical Care: to expand rural health access to transportation and telehealth, supporting women’s health programs by enabling gender-specific healthcare services, and supporting homeless veterans and their families by bolstering housing assistance. VA Benefits: provides funding to enable the VA to provide benefits to recipients in a more efficient manner, bolstering disability compensation benefits to millions of veterans, and expanding VA’s capabilities to support an increase in the number of claims it can process, address the scope of claims, and the ability to reduce the VA backlog. Medical Research: provides historic investments into research in areas like toxic exposure, traumatic brain injury, and oncology. Honoring our PACT Act: $5 billion to support the Cost of War Toxic Exposures Fund, which expands eligibility for health care services and benefits to veterans who are suffering from toxic exposure effects from their time in service. Native American Veteran Housing Loan Program: $1.4 million for FY23, a $214,000 increase from last year. Formerly Used Defense Sites – $317 million (nationwide), a $25 million increase from last year. This funding will support the removal of unexploded ordnance on formerly used defense sites in Hawai‘i. The funding ensures that the Army Corps of Engineers has sufficient funds to conduct remediation at these sites and continue the federal government’s trust obligation with indigenous populations by ensuring safe environments that are free from munitions and debris. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – $1.2 million. This funding will support inspection and maintenance of U.S. Army Corps of Engineer projects in Hawai‘i. $282,000 will be directed towards the Barbers Point Deep Draft Harbor on O‘ahu. Navy Alternative Energy Research – $30 million, a $2.5 million increase. This funding supports the Navy’s efforts to expand its research of energy risk reduction technologies enabling energy diversification. By allowing the Navy to move away from its reliance on a single source of energy, this funding helps the Navy meet its two main energy objectives – energy security and energy independence. The University of Hawai‘i and the Hawai‘i Natural Energy Institute are national leaders in this research and their joint collaboration with the Navy on alternative energy will continue to forge innovations that meet crucial energy security requirements and enable renewables. Project HOPE Opportunity Probation with Enforcement – $5 million (nationwide). Based on Hawai‘i’s Opportunity Probation with Enforcement (HOPE) program, this high-intensity supervision program reduces probation violations by drug offenders and others at high risk of recidivism. The funding will support the existing federal program to replicate the HOPE model and includes $500,000 to establish an institute to provide training, technical assistance, and best practices to assist other jurisdictions with the program. Tsunami Program – $28 million (nationwide), a $500,000 increase from last year. The NOAA Tsunami Program provides funding to coastal states for preparedness activities such as inundation mapping, disaster planning, and tsunami education. Funding includes support for tsunami monitoring, forecasts, and a grant program, which states can compete for, to prepare inundation maps and assist with outreach and education. Hawai‘i relies on all three components of the program. The increase in funding will help fill important vacancies and improve technology. ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS Increased Federal Reimbursements for School Meals. The appropriations bill directs the USDA to provide a temporary increase in the federal reimbursement rate for school meals in outlying areas including Hawai‘i. This follows a letter led by Senator Schatz urging USDA to increase its school meal reimbursement rate for Hawai‘i. The current reimbursement rate for Hawai‘i is outdated and does not accurately account for the real costs associated with producing and supplying school meals in the state. A temporary upward adjustment in the reimbursement rate while USDA completes a long-term cost analysis study could provide Hawai‘i with millions in additional federal revenue to support child nutrition programs in the state. Post Office Service. The bill guarantees that no funds may be used by the United States Postal Service to close small rural and other small post offices, including post offices in Hakalau, Lihu?e, Hana, and Kalaupapa. Funding to Support the Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act (NATIVE ACT). Additional funding and specific report language will enable the Economic Development Administration to provide technical assistance to Native Hawaiian organizations, Indian Tribes, and Tribal organizations that work to preserve culture and traditions and share them with visitors. The NATIVE Act was introduced by Senator Schatz and signed into law by President Obama in 2016. Pacific Islands – $150 million. This funding will be a significant investment in the future of Pacific Island Countries. It will support programs at the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development focused on deepening engagement with countries in the region through trade capacity building, climate change mitigation and adaptation, emergency preparedness assistance, democratic governance, security assistance, and economic development. The bill specifically contains $2.5 million for removal of unexploded ordnance in the Solomon Islands. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-legislation-extending-expanded-telehealth-services-set-to-become-law,Schatz Legislation Extending Expanded Telehealth Services Set To Become Law,2022-12-22,2022,2022-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) secured the inclusion of provisions to the FY23 government funding bill that will temporarily extend access to expanded telehealth services. The provisions, which are from the Schatz-authored Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act, allow Medicare beneficiaries in all areas of the country to utilize telehealth services in their homes and allow more types of health care providers to provide telehealth. The bill passed the Senate today and is expected to pass the House of Representatives and be signed into law by the end of the week. “The last few years have proven that telehealth works. It has made it easier and safer for people to see their doctors and stay healthy,” said Senator Schatz. “While this extension is helpful, these changes should be made permanent. It’s time to pass the CONNECT for Health Act.” Expanded access of telehealth services was first made available in response to the COVID-19 pandemic but was limited to the emergency period. The two-year extension contains provisions from Senator Schatz’s CONNECT for Health Act, including: Removing geographic restrictions on telehealth services and allowing Medicare beneficiaries to access virtual care from their homes; and Allowing health centers and rural health clinics to provide telehealth services. The two-year telehealth extension follows a letter led by Senator Schatz earlier this month that called on congressional leaders to extend expanded coverage of telehealth services in this must-pass legislation. Schatz’s bipartisan and bicameral CONNECT for Health Act was first introduced in 2016. The bill, which is cosponsored by 64 senators, is considered the most comprehensive telehealth legislation in Congress. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-leads-senate-colleagues-in-urging-kaiser-permanente-to-come-to-a-good-faith-agreement-with-mental-health-workers-on-strike-in-hawaii,Hirono Leads Senate Colleagues in Urging Kaiser Permanente to Come to a Good Faith Agreement with Mental Health Workers on Strike in Hawaii,2022-12-21,2022,2022-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) led 6 of her Senate colleagues in sending a letter to Kaiser Permanente CEO Greg Adams urging Kaiser to come to a good faith agreement with mental and behavioral health workers in the National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW) in Hawaii who have been on strike for 16 weeks. In the letter, the lawmakers urge the company to come to a good faith agreement for the sake of both the workers on strike and their patients, citing recent agreements Kaiser has reached with union workers in other states. “More than ever, health systems with the kind of market penetration Kaiser has in Hawaii should be working to ensure patients receive the timely, medically-necessary mental health services essential for protecting the wellbeing of our communities,” write the lawmakers. “This level of care requires retaining the current skilled workforce and recruiting new talent into the state—not engaging in years-long contract disputes. These workers deserve a fair wage, and patients deserve dependable, quality care.” Since August, nearly 60 mental health workers employed by Kaiser Permanente across Hawaii—including psychologists, clinical social workers, and nurses—have been on strike, citing low staff levels and long wait times for patients. “While your company has, for nearly five years, refused to negotiate in good faith a reasonable salary and workload demands for 57 employees, Kaiser Permanente reported a record $8.1 billion in net income in 2021. We ask that you take time this holiday season to consider the workers on which your company and patients depend and finalize a contract,” the lawmakers conclude. In addition to Senator Hirono, the letter was also signed by Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Richard J. Durbin (D-IL), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and Chris Coons (D-DE). Last year, Senator Hirono joined Sen. Sanders and several of their Senate colleagues in urging Kaiser to reach an agreement with more than 30,000 health care workers who were preparing to go on strike in states across the country, including Hawaii. The full text of the letter is below and can be found here. Greg A. Adams Kaiser Permanente One Kaiser Plaza Oakland, CA 94612 Dear Mr. Adams, We write today in support of mental and behavioral health workers in the National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW) in Hawaii who have been on strike for 16 weeks, and working toward a contract for nearly five years since the bargaining unit was formed. We encourage Kaiser Permanente to come to a good faith agreement for the sake of both the critical workers on strike and the patients across Hawaii who need to utilize mental and behavioral health services. For years, Hawaii—and our nation—have struggled with a worsening mental health crisis that is exacerbated by lack of investment in mental health services. Mental and behavioral health workers – including psychologists, therapists, and social workers—provide critical services across our health system, and those services have become even more important over the last several years, as our state and the nation have dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic and social unrest. The 57 behavioral health clinicians on strike are a critical part of the workforce and serve a Kaiser patient population of 260,000 people across Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island. In November 2021, Kaiser was able to come to an agreement with 32,000 workers of various unions to avert a strike. More recently, in October 2022, Kaiser came to an agreement with mental and behavioral health workers of NUHW in California, ending a 10-week strike. Your company has shown a willingness to broker good faith agreements with workers in other states. We ask that you make that same effort with workers on strike in Hawaii—even if they represent a smaller population of clinicians. Kaiser’s mental and behavioral health workers in Hawaii deserve the same level of investment and parity as their mainland counterparts. More than ever, health systems with the kind of market penetration Kaiser has in Hawaii should be working to ensure patients receive the timely, medically-necessary mental health services essential for protecting the wellbeing of our communities. This level of care requires retaining the current skilled workforce and recruiting new talent into the state—not engaging in years-long contract disputes. These workers deserve a fair wage, and patients deserve dependable, quality care. While your company has, for nearly five years, refused to negotiate in good faith a reasonable salary and workload demands for 57 employees, Kaiser Permanente reported a record $8.1 billion in net income in 2021. We ask that you take time this holiday season to consider the workers on which your company and patients depend and finalize a contract. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-secures-more-than-half-a-billion-dollars-in-new-earmark-funding-for-hawaii-non-profits-local-projects,"Schatz Secures More Than Half A Billion Dollars In New Earmark Funding For Hawai‘i Non-Profits, Local Projects",2022-12-21,2022,2022-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, secured $530 million in new congressional directed spending, also known as earmarks, in this year’s government funding bill. At $530 million, Schatz’s earmark total this year more than doubles last fiscal year’s amount. “We are bringing home more than a half a billion dollars in new earmark funding,” said Senator Schatz. “These earmarks will give local non-profits and projects more resources to serve communities across Hawai‘i.” As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Schatz worked with congressional leaders to ensure Hawai‘i received its fair share of federal earmark funding. EARMARKS SECURED BY SENATOR SCHATZ INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: ‘Aha Punana Leo – $1,126,000 Funding will support the Punana Leo statewide Hawaiian medium early childhood language education system. (Schatz and Hirono joint request) County of Kaua‘i Housing Agency – $7,772,000 Funding will support the construction of 145 affordable homes in Kaua‘i’s Lima Ola Community. Senator Schatz and Senator Hirono secured a joint $8.49 million earmark in 2022 for the Lima Ola Community. City and County of Honolulu – $11,987,000 Funding will support the construction of three communally governed affordable housing projects in Honolulu, Waimanalo, and Wahiawa. Each project will provide temporary housing and services to 80-100 people. The Food Basket (Hawai‘i Island) – $1,600,000 Funding will be used to develop an agriculture innovation park and food systems campus in Hilo to provide safe, nutritious, fair, and affordable food to residents in the region. Waimanalo Health Center – $2,000,000 Funding will be used for the construction of a new expansion facility providing oral health, vision, and nutritional services to the community of Waimanalo and throughout Ko?olaupoko. (Schatz, Hirono, and Kahele joint request) County of Maui – $11,000,000 Funding will support the construction of a community center focused on Native Hawaiian culture in Wailuku, Maui, which will also be able to serve as a shelter and recovery space in the event of a disaster. Kumano I Ke Ala o Makaweli (Kaua‘i) – $796,000 Funding will be used to support the expansion of K-12 educational programs and food production in the West Kaua‘i region. (Schatz and Hirono joint request) Ho?ahu Energy Cooperative Moloka‘i – $3,000,000 Funding will be used for community-owned solar and battery storage to displace diesel generation. (Schatz and Hirono joint request) County of Maui (Lana?i) – $542,000 Funding will support repairs to the Manele Small Boat Harbor breakwater on Lana?i to help protect the harbor from large waves. Hamakua-Kohala Health Center – $5,000,000 Funding will support the construction of a new Federally Qualified Health Center in Honoka?a to expand access to primary care, pediatric care, behavioral health, pharmacy, and telehealth services in the Honoka?a community. (Schatz and Kahele joint request) Hawai‘i Children’s Action Network – $323,000 Funding will establish a pilot program to link low-income families with infants and toddlers to support services, including home visiting, federal nutrition assistance programs, and child care subsidies. Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawai‘i – $800,000 Funding will help restart school-based mentoring programs that were offered before the COVID-19 pandemic. Office of Hawaiian Education – $890,000 Funding will be used to help transform distance learning in the Kaiapuni (Hawaiian Language Immersion Programs) school network. Kalamapi‘i PLAY School (Hawai‘i Island) – $197,000 Funding will be used to serve preschool-age students in Hilo though an innovative service delivery model that combines therapy with preschool play to focus on recovery from trauma and collective learning. (Schatz and Hirono joint request) Hawaiian Hope – $95,000 Funding will be used to help distribute computers to low-income families on the Wai‘anae Coast. ‘Auamo Collaborative – $200,000 Funding will be used to address the connectivity gaps that exist in underserved remote and rural areas throughout Hawai‘i. Hawai‘i Institute of Pacific Agriculture (Hawai‘i Island) – $435,000 Funding will be used to create a certified commercial kitchen at the Kohala Food Hub to expand vocational training and increase capacity for local food production, processing, and distribution. Lanakila Pacific – $1,000,000 Funding will support renovation of a vacant building to establish a food hub providing processing and distribution facilities for local farmers. Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture (Oahu, Hawai‘i Island) – $850,000 Funding will be used to combat invasive pests at nursery production sites to maintain market access for Hawai‘i’s horticultural products. (Schatz and Hirono joint request) Malama Kaua‘i – $492,000 Funding will be used to construct the Moloa‘a ‘AINA Center food hub, which will enable expanded local food distribution and farmer support services. (Schatz and Hirono joint request) Hana Health (Maui) – $1,500,000 Funding will be used to expand the Hana Fresh farm to grow more organic produce for patients and the local community. USDA Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center (Hawai‘i Island) – $1,215,000 Funding will be used for upgrades to the federal Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center facility in Hilo to support research and innovation on tropical fruit, vegetable, and ornamental crops. (Schatz and Hirono joint request) University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant College Program – $500,000 Funding will be used to facilitate public planning and engagement to identify green and nature-based infrastructure approaches for resilience in the Waikiki watershed. Maunalua Fishpond Heritage Center – $400,000 Funding will support habitat restoration critical to restore the functionality of two traditional Hawaiian fishponds and springs on O‘ahu. Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources – $600,000 Funding will restore ten acres of wetlands along the West Loch of the degraded Pearl Harbor ecosystem to improve coastal water quality, provide habitat, and other ecosystem services. Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources (Hawai‘i Island) – $900,000 Funding will support the transplantation of corals from vulnerable locations to areas in West Hawai‘i Island where coral reefs have been compromised by coral bleaching and other stressors. County of Kaua‘i – $1,200,000 Funding will support efforts to restore a coastal wetland for flood mitigation, wildlife habitat, and water quality and other ecosystem services for neighboring communities on Kaua‘i. County of Maui – $180,000 Funding will improve radio capacity to provide better service from first responders in West Maui. The Nature Conservancy Hawai‘i and Palmyra (Maui, Hawai‘i Island, Kaua‘i) – $1,000,000 Funding will support the capacity of local communities in Maui Nui, and on O‘ahu and Hawai‘i Island to co-manage their coastal resources with federal and state partners. (Schatz, Hirono, and Kahele joint request) Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources – $1,000,000 Funding will increase the capacity of the State of Hawai‘i, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Conservation and Resource Enforcement, with additional staffing, enforcement vessels, and training. University of Hawai‘i System – $2,250,000 Funding will support the development of predictive sea level rise models, economic and policy models for decision making, outreach and community engagement, and resilient landscape and community designs. (Schatz and Hirono joint request) YWCA Kaua‘i – $110,000 Funding will support the installation of solar and battery storage to improve energy resilience. Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) – $2,001,915 Funding will replace fiber glass doors at HFD fire stations. (Schatz and Case joint request) City and County of Honolulu – $679,000 Funding will support a pilot project to test two types of green storm water infrastructure—tree boxes and biofiltration. (Schatz and Hirono joint request) County of Hawai‘i, Department of Water Supply – $2,080,000 Funding will be used to drill a well that will tap into a deeper aquifer to bring high-quality water to the North Kona region. (Schatz and Hirono joint request) County of Hawai‘i, Department of Water Supply – $80,000 Funding will replace six large, underperforming water meters which currently lose money for the County, and understate water needs for planning purposes. (Schatz and Hirono joint request) County of Kaua‘i – $1,200,000 Funding will help assess the status and identify repair needs for a four mile stretch of sewage lines, ensuring this infrastructure will support homes transitioning away from cesspools. (Schatz, Hirono, and Kahele joint request) County of Maui – $600,000 Funding will support the expansion and use of recycled water produced by the Kihei Wastewater Reclamation Facility. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (Hawai‘i Island) – $800,000 Funding will be used to upgrade facilities at the Keauhou Bird Conservation Center and protect endangered Hawaiian forest birds. (Schatz and Hirono joint request) YWCA O‘ahu – $500,000 Funding will support historic preservation of the YWCA’s Laniakea building. Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife and The Nature Conservancy (Maui, Kaua‘i) – $1,500,000 Funding will support efforts to control avian malaria and protect endangered native forest birds. (Schatz and Hirono joint request) Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife (Maui) – $1,000,000 Funding will help conserve forested watersheds in East Maui through the installation of conservation fencing, planting of native trees, and removal of invasive species. Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife – $1,000,000 Funding will be used for native species conservation projects on Maui. (Schatz and Hirono joint request) County of Hawai‘i – $13,000,000 Funds will support the renovation of the old Hilo Memorial Hospital. Renovations will help bring the property into county compliance to allow HOPE Services and Big Island Substance Abuse Council to continue providing critical services there. (Schatz and Hirono joint request) City and County of Honolulu – $10,000,000 Funding will expand the Crisis Outreach Response and Engagement (C.O.R.E) program, which Senator Schatz helped establish in 2022 with a $3,500,000 earmark. The program diverts 911 calls regarding non-violent unhoused people to a trained crisis outreach staff that can focus on providing resources, assistance, and shelter. Hawai‘i Department of Transportation – $10,000,000 Funds will be invested in electric buses, charging infrastructure, and new bus depots across the state. This funding will go towards Hawai‘i’s Zero Emission Bus Program to help the state accomplish its goal to achieve a zero emission economy by 2045. Senator Schatz announced an additional $55 million in federal funding for Hawai‘i’s Zero Emission Bus Program from the recent infrastructure law in August of 2022. City and County of Honolulu, Department of Transportation Services – $8,275,000 Funding will help the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Transportation Services expand the HOLO transit smart card system. County of Kaua‘i Housing Agency – $5,000,000 Funding will add an additional half a million gallons of domestic water storage capacity and transmission to facilitate the development of affordable housing in Hanapepe, ‘Ele‘ele, and Port Allen. (Schatz and Hirono joint request) City and County of Honolulu, Department of Transportation Services – $4,800,000 Funding will support the planning and preliminary design of a 30-mile bicycle and pedestrian path connecting Nanakuli and Manoa. (Schatz and Case joint request) City and County of Honolulu – $3,538,000 Funding will support stable, affordable housing for persons with mental health challenges. (Schatz and Hirono joint request) County of Maui, Department of Transportation – $3,200,000 Funding will allow Maui County to purchase ADA compliant buses and upgrade tracking technology to allow riders to track the buses via the Maui Bus app. Gregory House Programs – $1,200,000 Funding will help the organization renovate Community Residential Programs, a transitional housing program that houses people living with HIV/AIDS who are transitioning out of homelessness. Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement – $1,053,000 Funding will expand operations of Pop-Up Makeke, an online marketplace for Hawai‘i small businesses. Hawai‘i Foodbank (Kaua‘i, O‘ahu) – $1,003,000 Funding will help the Hawai‘i Foodbank purchase refrigeration equipment and vehicles for its O‘ahu and Kaua‘i warehouses, increasing its capacity to feed people in need. Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island – $1,000,000 Funding will support the construction of a community center in the Kea‘au-Puna district. The secured funds will help construct accessibility ramps and parking, a kitchen, generators, and an outdoor gathering space. The Nature Conservancy Hawai‘i and Palmyra (Maui) – $1,000,000 Funding will support the planning and community outreach phases for the Olowalu road realignment project in West Maui. YWCA O‘ahu – $915,000 Funding will support improvements to the Atherton Hall and Kitchen for use as a training kitchen and food business incubator. Kapolei Chamber of Commerce – $500,000 Funding will support the creation of the West O‘ahu Innovation and Entrepreneur Center, a small business and entrepreneur incubator in Kapolei. University of Hawai?i Cancer Center – $6,500,000 Funding will enable the construction of the new Early Phase Clinical Trial Research Center—the first and only facility of its kind in Hawai?i. The Center will provide individuals with cancer access to Phase I clinical trials, which is currently only available to patients and their families by flights to the contiguous states. (Schatz, Hirono, and Case joint request) University of Hawai?i – $1,000,000 Funding will support planning and infrastructure for the University of Hawai‘i’s Office of Indigenous Innovation to establish an Indigenous Data Science Hub with a living laboratory that could incubate up to 10 community-based innovation pilots in support of global resilience. (Schatz, Hirono, and Case joint request) YWCA of Hawai‘i Island – $1,102,000 Funding will be used to provide early intervention support for the highest risk families by healing trauma caused by adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among new parents, as well as offering support services to enable families to provide an ACE-free childhood to their children. (Schatz and Hirono joint request) The Legal Clinic – $120,000 Funding will be used to provide training for law students and other attorneys on the immigration consequences of criminal convictions, and will conclude with a public education seminar on the intersection of criminal and immigration law. (Schatz and Hirono joint request) Hawai‘i Department of Public Safety – $900,000 Funding will be used to provide educational support for existing prison education programs at Halawa, Kulani, and Waiawa Correctional Facilities, partnering with Chaminade University, Hawai‘i Community College, and Windward Community College. Hawai‘i Department of the Attorney General – $200,000 Funding will be used to recruit 17 Sexual Assault Nurses/Forensic Examiners (SANE/SAFE), pilot a Hawai‘i State SANE/SAFE training program, and improve the coordination of medical services to victims. Tripler Army Medical Center – $38,000,000 Funding will be used to provide a potable water system for Tripler Army Medical Center in accordance with DoD standards for water supply and storage. (Schatz, Hirono, and Case joint request) Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum – $500,000 Funding will support historic preservation of Hangar 79. Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum – $400,000 Funding will support historic preservation of Hangar 37. Fort Shafter – $33,000,000 Funding will be used to construct two potable water wells and one 1-million gallon capacity above ground water storage tank, replace water lines, and modernize controls to improve water quality at Fort Shafter. (Schatz, Hirono, and Case joint request) Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam – $103,350,000 Funding will be used to construct three High Explosives Magazine boxes for long ordnance storage and expand perimeter security to the extent of the West Loch Annex property via a new perimeter fence, security patrol road, and entry control facilities at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam. (Schatz and Hirono joint request) Marine Corps Base Hawai‘i – $87,900,000 Funding will be used for housing for Marines stationed at Marine Corps Base, Hawai‘i that meets current living standards and replaces 50-year old quarters. (Schatz, Hirono, and Kahele joint request) Schofield Barracks – $111,000,000 Funding will be used to construct facilities for four companies and a troop aid station consolidating the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team in the South Range District of Schofield Barracks. (Schatz and Hirono joint request) Schofield Barracks – $9,000,000 Funding will be used to replace a substandard facility and construct administrative, training, and dormitory space and cover for firetrucks and emergency support vehicles. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/06/22/2023/hirono-colleagues-urge-dod-to-protect-military-families-rights-and-end-use-of-nefarious-non-disclosure-agreements-by-private-military-housing-contractors,"Hirono, Colleagues Urge DoD to Protect Military Families’ Rights and End Use of “Nefarious” Non-Disclosure Agreements by Private Military Housing Contractors",2022-12-20,2022,2022-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) in sending a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin expressing concern over reports that military families are being forced to sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) with privatized military housing companies in order to receive compensation for poor housing conditions. In the letter, the lawmakers urge the Department of Defense (DoD) to put an end to these practices. “The use of NDAs leaves tenants who were provided with unsafe or unhealthy housing conditions forced to choose between receiving compensation for those atrocious conditions and forever remaining silent about their experiences or telling their story and having to pay out of their own pockets for safe housing conditions. Furthermore, it allows the private housing companies to evade responsibility for their failures. These are unacceptable outcomes,” the lawmakers wrote. Congress has a clear record of opposing any requirements for military families to sign NDAs for on base housing. The Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) included a provision requiring companies to notify and receive approval from DoD—when a landlord uses a non-disclosure agreement. The law also makes clear that current or prospective tenants cannot be required to sign NDAs “in connection with entering into, continuing, or terminating a lease for the housing unit,” and that, “any such agreement against the interests of the tenant is invalid.” Despite these reforms, it appears the use of NDAs has not stopped. Reports from advocates for safer military housing revealed that military families are still being forced to sign NDAs in order to receive compensation for on-base rental housing that is unsafe or unhealthy, and Senator Warren’s office obtained copies of NDAs that Balfour Beatty Communities and Liberty Military Housing forced on military families. One NDA was required by Balfour Beatty Communities, LLC (BBC), a company that pleaded guilty and agreed to pay over $65 million in fines and restitution for defrauding the military. BBC attempted to force a family to sign this NDA in order to receive compensation for property damaged by mold. The family refused to do so because they did not want to be silenced and prevented from making any future claims. In addition to forcing families into silence, the NDA impinges on the ability of DoD and the Department of Justice to monitor the company’s compliance with its settlement agreement. Another public report from November 2022 indicated that the housing company Michaels Organization has also been requiring families to sign NDAs in order to receive settlements for unsafe housing conditions at Fort Belvoir. One family refused to accept the “hush money” and sign the NDA, which would have required them not to discuss the claims or make negative statements about their housing in public. “The use of these NDAs is an outrageous abuse of military families’ rights by private housing companies that have failed to do their job despite receiving millions of dollars in taxpayer funds. Tenants should have the right to speak freely about their experiences and should not feel afraid to report any wrongdoing by their housing provider. Their right ‘to report inadequate housing standards or deficits in habitability of the housing unit’ is part of the tenant bill of rights and DoD must not allow the use of NDAs to undermine these rights. Private housing providers must not be allowed to silence military families, who make countless sacrifices for our country, to gain a profit or avoid accountability for forcing these families to live in unsafe or unsanitary housing,” the lawmakers concluded. The Senators are asking DoD to answer a set of questions by January 17. The full text of the letter is available here. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Chair of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support, Senator Hirono has long been an advocate for the military community, supporting veterans, helping to protect female service members, overseeing the safe closure of Red Hill, focusing on rebuilding and modernizing military infrastructure in Hawaii and around the country, strengthening U.S. relationships with partners and allies, and advancing DOD’s work to combat climate change. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/-schatz-secures-85-million-to-address-national-housing-crisis-help-build-more-affordable-housing,"Schatz Secures $85 Million To Address National Housing Crisis, Help Build More Affordable Housing",2022-12-20,2022,2022-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today secured the inclusion of a new $85 million grant program based on his bipartisan ‘Yes In My Backyard’ legislation in the fiscal year 2023 appropriations bill. The bill establishes a new federal program to reward state and local governments that reform land-use policies and other local barriers that constrain the supply of affordable housing. “We need to legalize housing, and abandon the exclusionary zoning that originated during Jim Crow and continues today. Government needs to change its mentality from intentionally constraining the supply of housing to incentivizing it,” said Senator Schatz, Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development. For decades, local zoning and land use regulations as well as lack of necessary housing-related infrastructure have prevented housing production from keeping pace with population and economic growth, resulting in a nationwide housing shortage. The new $85 million federal grant program will help reverse this trend by rewarding state, local, and regional jurisdictions that address exclusionary zoning practices, land use policies, and housing infrastructure to increase the supply of affordable housing. These policies include increasing density, reducing minimum lot sizes, creating transit-oriented development zones, streamlining or shortening permitting processes and timeline, expanding by-right multifamily zoned areas, allowing accessory dwelling units on lots with single family homes, eliminating or relaxing residential property height limitations, and donating vacant land for affordable housing development. Schatz first introduced the Yes in My Backyard Act in 2019 with U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.). It was re-introduced last year, and has the support of more than 250 organizations. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-1-billion-to-defuel-shut-down-red-hill-included-in-appropriations-bill,"Schatz: $1 Billion To Defuel, Shut Down Red Hill Included In Appropriations Bill",2022-12-20,2022,2022-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today announced that the annual appropriations bill includes $1 billion to defuel and permanently close the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility. “This is new federal funding to drain and permanently shut down Red Hill. We still have more work to do to make sure Red Hill is closed as quickly and safely as possible, and now we have even more resources to help in that effort,” said Senator Schatz, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Earlier this year, Schatz secured millions in federal funding to defuel, permanently close the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility, and clean up contaminated water in the affected areas. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-secures-nearly-64-million-in-new-funding-for-honolulu-rail-project,Schatz Secures Nearly $64 Million In New Funding For Honolulu Rail Project,2022-12-20,2022,2022-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today announced that he has secured $63.8 million in new funding for the Honolulu Rail Transit Project. As chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, Schatz worked with congressional leaders to steer nearly $64 million to the rail project in Honolulu. The new money, which will be used to cover inflationary cost increases, is in addition to the remaining federal funding that the Federal Transit Administration has already committed to the project. “The federal government has already committed millions of dollars into the rail project, so finding new money was no easy task. We fought hard to make sure Hawai‘i gets its fair share of federal dollars, and this new money will give HART more resources to cover inflationary costs and finally get this project up and running for the people of Honolulu,” said Senator Schatz, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-hawaii-congressional-delegation-calls-for-independent-investigation-into-toxic-afff-leaks-at-red-hill,"Hirono, Hawaii Congressional Delegation Calls for Independent Investigation Into Toxic AFFF Leaks at Red Hill",2022-12-19,2022,2022-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, joined Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) and U.S. Representatives Ed Case (D-HI) and Kai Kahele (D-HI) in calling for a congressionally-initiated independent investigation into how the Department of Defense and the Department of the Navy have responded to PFAS-based contamination events at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility, including the recent leak of aqueous film forming foam (AFFF). “The November 29th leak of a fire suppression system at the Red Hill complex that spilled over 1,100 gallons of AFFF into the environment, as well as other previous PFAS contamination events affecting Red Hill and Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH), have potentially exposed the community surrounding the Red Hill complex to enduring threats to their health. This community and the people of Hawai‘i deserve answers regarding how the Navy undertook efforts to address these incidents and complete the clean-up and remediation of impacted sites,” the delegation wrote in a letter to Gene Dodaro, the Comptroller General of the Government Accountability Office. The delegation continued, “we urge you to use the resources and tools available to you to conduct a rigorous and data-driven investigation to provide transparency on these response efforts and provide recommendations on required improvements that will protect impacted communities.” The full text of the letter is available here and below. Comptroller General Dodaro, We write urging an immediate investigation into the procedures and practices utilized by the Department of Defense and the Department of Navy to protect human health and the environment from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility complex (Red Hill). Both Departments use compounds containing PFAS, such as aqueous film forming foam (AFFF), at Red Hill, and the recent events in Hawai‘i demonstrate the need for a thorough audit to ensure that Hawai‘i’s people, land, water, and ocean are all protected. The November 29th leak of a fire suppression system at the Red Hill complex that spilled over 1100 gallons of AFFF into the environment, as well as other previous PFAS contamination events affecting Red Hill and Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH), have potentially exposed the community surrounding the Red Hill complex to enduring threats to their health. This community and the people of Hawai‘i deserve answers regarding how the Navy undertook efforts to address these incidents and complete the clean-up and remediation of impacted sites. The dangers associated with “forever chemicals,” such as PFAS, are significant to the health of people exposed to them and to the environment. Moreover, because these chemicals degrade extremely slowly, they can build up in the environment and in animals and plants that ingest or are otherwise exposed to them. Consistent exposure to highly concentrated amounts of these chemicals can cause a range of adverse health effects including severe diseases, like cancer. This persistent threat underscores the necessity for adequate oversight and due diligence for the methods employed to handle the containment of such chemicals, safe storage, and eventual remediation of impacted sites. Without proper care, the legacy of damage of these spills will impact the health and well-being of people for generations and exact a devastating toll on the ecosystem and environment. In June 2022, the EPA revised its health advisories for two specific PFAS chemicals: perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS): PFAS Prior HA New HA Increase PFOA 70 parts per billion (ppb) .02 parts per trillion (ppt) 3500x PFOS 70 ppb .004 ppt 17,500x Further, both PFOA and PFOS have been detected in water quality reports for JBPHH released by the Department of the Navy in 2021 and 2022: PFAS 2021 Detection Level 2022 Detection Level PFOA 3.2 ppb 3.6 ppb PFOS 5.5 ppb 5.6 ppb While the Department of Defense and the Department of Navy should continue to conduct their own reviews on their responses to ongoing and previous PFAS/PFOA and AFFF exposure events, a GAO investigation will provide a necessary third-party assessment of their practices. We urge you to use the resources and tools available to you to conduct a rigorous and data-driven investigation to provide transparency on these response efforts and provide recommendations on required improvements that will protect impacted communities. Given the ongoing operation to complete defueling at Red Hill, contamination from the current and prior discharges of PFAS-based firefighting foam raise significant questions for the people of Hawai‘i for their health and safety. Accordingly, we request the GAO to conduct an investigation to answer the following questions: Were the methods employed by the Navy to clean up and remediate sites exposed to PFAS adequate to the standards of state and federal regulators in Hawai‘i? Did the Navy inappropriately withhold any pertinent information from appropriate state and federal regulators during the course of any PFAS exposure investigations? If so how did this impact their investigation and remediation of sites? How should the Navy use the updated EPA health advisories for PFOS and PFOA to ensure the safety of drinking water at JBPHH, remediate the environment, and prevent further discharges of these and other PFAS at JBPHH and Red Hill? Did the Navy effectively include Hawai‘i state regulators and relevant state agencies in previous AFFF exposure incident investigations at the Red Hill Complex? Based on GAO analysis of the Navy’s PFAS-related procedures and practices for exposed sites in Hawai‘i, what deficiencies exist that the Navy should alter? Of the Hawai‘i sites with previously documented exposures of PFAS-based substances and that were cleaned and remediated by the Navy, which require further clean up, remediation, and testing? As the Department of Defense continues to consider PFAS-free alternatives for firefighting systems, what alternatives are best suited for installations in Hawai‘i to adopt? How best can the Department of Defense position it’s Hawai‘i based operations to quickly and safely adopt these alternatives? We expect this GAO investigation will not interfere with the defueling timeline of Red Hill and further underscore that GAO conducts their investigation so there is no delay to defueling efforts. We look forward to the results of your investigation and any recommendations you determine are in the best interests of impacted communities. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hawaii-congressional-delegation-calls-for-independent-investigation-into-toxic-afff-leaks-at-red-hill,Hawai‘i Congressional Delegation Calls For Independent Investigation Into Toxic AFFF Leaks At Red Hill,2022-12-19,2022,2022-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i) and U.S. Representatives Ed Case (D-Hawai‘i) and Kai Kahele (D-Hawai‘i) today called for a congressionally-initiated independent investigation into how the Department of Defense and the Department of the Navy have responded to PFAS-based contamination events at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility, including the recent leak of aqueous film forming foam (AFFF). The delegation also pushed for answers on recent reporting that alleges the Navy withheld key information on a previous leak of the toxic chemical. “The November 29th leak of a fire suppression system at the Red Hill complex that spilled over 1,100 gallons of AFFF into the environment, as well as other previous PFAS contamination events affecting Red Hill and Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH), have potentially exposed the community surrounding the Red Hill complex to enduring threats to their health. This community and the people of Hawai‘i deserve answers regarding how the Navy undertook efforts to address these incidents and complete the clean-up and remediation of impacted sites,” the delegation wrote in a letter to Gene Dodaro, the Comptroller General of the Government Accountability Office. The delegation continued, “we urge you to use the resources and tools available to you to conduct a rigorous and data-driven investigation to provide transparency on these response efforts and provide recommendations on required improvements that will protect impacted communities.” The full text of the letter can be found below and is available here. Comptroller General Dodaro, We write urging an immediate investigation into the procedures and practices utilized by the Department of Defense and the Department of Navy to protect human health and the environment from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility complex (Red Hill). Both Departments use compounds containing PFAS, such as aqueous film forming foam (AFFF), at Red Hill, and the recent events in Hawai‘i demonstrate the need for a thorough audit to ensure that Hawai‘i’s people, land, water, and ocean are all protected. The November 29th leak of a fire suppression system at the Red Hill complex that spilled over 1100 gallons of AFFF into the environment, as well as other previous PFAS contamination events affecting Red Hill and Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH), have potentially exposed the community surrounding the Red Hill complex to enduring threats to their health. This community and the people of Hawai‘i deserve answers regarding how the Navy undertook efforts to address these incidents and complete the clean-up and remediation of impacted sites. The dangers associated with “forever chemicals,” such as PFAS, are significant to the health of people exposed to them and to the environment. Moreover, because these chemicals degrade extremely slowly, they can build up in the environment and in animals and plants that ingest or are otherwise exposed to them. Consistent exposure to highly concentrated amounts of these chemicals can cause a range of adverse health effects including severe diseases, like cancer. This persistent threat underscores the necessity for adequate oversight and due diligence for the methods employed to handle the containment of such chemicals, safe storage, and eventual remediation of impacted sites. Without proper care, the legacy of damage of these spills will impact the health and well-being of people for generations and exact a devastating toll on the ecosystem and environment. In June 2022, the EPA revised its health advisories for two specific PFAS chemicals: perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS): PFAS Prior HA New HA Increase PFOA 70 parts per billion (ppb) .02 parts per trillion (ppt) 3500x PFOS 70 ppb .004 ppt 17,500x Further, both PFOA and PFOS have been detected in water quality reports for JBPHH released by the Department of the Navy in 2021 and 2022: PFAS 2021 Detection Level 2022 Detection Level PFOA 3.2 ppb 3.6 ppb PFOS 5.5 ppb 5.6 ppb While the Department of Defense and the Department of Navy should continue to conduct their own reviews on their responses to ongoing and previous PFAS/PFOA and AFFF exposure events, a GAO investigation will provide a necessary third-party assessment of their practices. We urge you to use the resources and tools available to you to conduct a rigorous and data-driven investigation to provide transparency on these response efforts and provide recommendations on required improvements that will protect impacted communities. Given the ongoing operation to complete defueling at Red Hill, contamination from the current and prior discharges of PFAS-based firefighting foam raise significant questions for the people of Hawai‘i for their health and safety. Accordingly, we request the GAO to conduct an investigation to answer the following questions: Were the methods employed by the Navy to clean up and remediate sites exposed to PFAS adequate to the standards of state and federal regulators in Hawai‘i? Did the Navy inappropriately withhold any pertinent information from appropriate state and federal regulators during the course of any PFAS exposure investigations? If so how did this impact their investigation and remediation of sites? How should the Navy use the updated EPA health advisories for PFOS and PFOA to ensure the safety of drinking water at JBPHH, remediate the environment, and prevent further discharges of these and other PFAS at JBPHH and Red Hill? Did the Navy effectively include Hawai‘i state regulators and relevant state agencies in previous AFFF exposure incident investigations at the Red Hill Complex? Based on GAO analysis of the Navy’s PFAS-related procedures and practices for exposed sites in Hawai‘i, what deficiencies exist that the Navy should alter? Of the Hawai‘i sites with previously documented exposures of PFAS-based substances and that were cleaned and remediated by the Navy, which require further clean up, remediation, and testing? As the Department of Defense continues to consider PFAS-free alternatives for firefighting systems, what alternatives are best suited for installations in Hawai‘i to adopt? How best can the Department of Defense position it’s Hawai‘i based operations to quickly and safely adopt these alternatives? We expect this GAO investigation will not interfere with the defueling timeline of Red Hill and further underscore that GAO conducts their investigation so there is no delay to defueling efforts. We look forward to the results of your investigation and any recommendations you determine are in the best interests of impacted communities. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-dhhl-to-receive-more-than-17-million-to-expand-high-speed-internet-in-native-hawaiian-communities,Schatz: DHHL To Receive More Than $17 Million To Expand High-Speed Internet In Native Hawaiian Communities,2022-12-19,2022,2022-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today announced that the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) will receive $17.3 million in new federal funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce to expand high-speed internet access in Native Hawaiian communities. “This funding will increase broadband internet access in Native Hawaiian communities across the state, helping families and small businesses get the high-speed internet they need and supporting the expansion of important services, including telehealth and remote learning,” said Senator Schatz, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. The funding comes from the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program, which expands broadband access on Tribal lands. It will include new broadband equipment and software, new computers and personal devices, support for increased remote learning, telehealth, and digital inclusion programs, and staff to ensure their successful implementation. Funding will also support a DHHL survey of Native Hawaiian households, with the data gathered used to help develop a statewide collective broadband strategy. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-rubio-legislation-to-protect-coral-reefs-set-to-become-law,Schatz-Rubio Legislation To Protect Coral Reefs Set To Become Law,2022-12-16,2022,2022-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Last night, the U.S. Senate passed the Restoring Resilient Reefs Act, bipartisan legislation authored by U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) that will help protect coral reefs and advance coral reef stewardship. The legislation was included in the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and now heads to the president’s desk to be signed into law. “Our coral reefs have been pushed to the brink of extinction, and we need to act now to save them. Our bill, which is now set to become law, puts federal funding in the hands of states and territories to manage and restore the coral reefs that our communities, oceans, and coasts depend on,” said Senator Schatz. “I saw firsthand the devastated condition of our coral reefs when I toured the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, and I promised a comprehensive response. This new law will ensure federal agencies are partnering effectively with state and local governments and non-governmental organizations to restore our dwindling coral reefs. The Florida communities that rely on the health of these critical ecosystems cannot be left behind. This is a pivotal moment in the battle to save our corals and protect our coastal communities,” said Senator Rubio. The Restoring Resilient Reefs Act increases authorizations for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Coral Reef Program from $16 million to $45 million annually. This landmark legislation also authorizes a state block grant program for $12 million annually to support state efforts to manage and restore coral reefs, and $4.5 million annually for Pacific and Atlantic coral reef cooperative institutes. Together, these provisions represent a major step forward for coral reef stewardship. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-colleagues-introduce-the-right-to-private-conduct-act,"Hirono, Colleagues Introduce the Right to Private Conduct Act",2022-12-15,2022,2022-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined eight of her Democratic colleagues in introducing the Right to Private Conduct Act, a bill to protect the rights to privacy and liberty granted by the Supreme Court decision Lawrence v. Texas. This legislation would prevent any person acting under color of State law from inhibiting an individual’s right to engage in private, non-commercial, consensual sexual conduct between adults. “As the far-right majority on the Supreme Court works to overturn fundamental rights, this legislation will protect the right to privacy for consenting adults,” said Senator Hirono. The landmark Lawrence v. Texas ruling established the right of all adult couples to be free from unwarranted state intrusion into their personal decisions about consensual sexual relationships; a major victory for civil rights that invalidated arcane sodomy laws and paved the way for marriage equality. Prior to Lawrence, sodomy laws allowed law enforcement and community members to violate individual privacy by reporting suspected sexual activity. Although the policing of private spaces affected all individuals and couples, sodomy laws disproportionately targeted and criminalized members of the LGBTQ community, barring individuals from access to employment, housing, parental rights, adoption and foster parenting, and protection from to civil rights law. In the years since the ruling, Lawrence has served as a cornerstone of the emerging legal field of sexual privacy, one which governs laws regarding sexual autonomy, consent, intimacy, and human dignity. In this era of increased concerns surrounding data privacy, it is critical that all Americans maintain those protected rights. In addition to Senator Hirono, the bill was introduced by U.S. Representatives Mark Takano (D-CA), Sylvia Garcia (D-TX), Chris Pappas (D-NH), Mondaire Jones (D-NY), Katie Porter (D-CA), and Dwight Evans (D-PA), and Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT). This bill has been endorsed by the American Civil Liberties Union, PFLAG, and the National Center for Transgender Equality. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senate-passes-national-defense-authorization-act-containing-hirono-led-provisions-to-provide-1-billion-to-close-red-hill-nearly-800-million-to-upgrade-military-infrastructure-in-hawaii,"Senate Passes National Defense Authorization Act Containing Hirono-Led Provisions to Provide $1 Billion to Close Red Hill, Nearly $800 Million to Upgrade Military Infrastructure in Hawaii",2022-12-15,2022,2022-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, voted to pass the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which included key provisions she secured, including $1 billion for the defueling and closure of Red Hill and nearly $800 million for other military infrastructure upgrades in Hawaii. The NDAA—which passed the House by a vote of 350-80 last week—also included Senator Hirono’s legislation to electrify all of the military’s non-tactical vehicles by 2035. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 83-11 and now heads to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law. “Today, the Senate passed the National Defense Authorization Act,” said Senator Hirono. “As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, my priority in NDAA—first and foremost—has been to safely close Red Hill. I’m proud that I successfully secured $1 billion in this year’s NDAA for that purpose—and that this legislation now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law. I will continue to work with the Department of Defense to ensure that Red Hill is closed safely and quickly. In addition to closing Red Hill, this bill contains nearly $800 million I fought to secure to safeguard and modernize critical military infrastructure in Hawaii, and across the region, in order to protect families and ensure INDOPACOM meets its mission of enhancing stability in our region. I will keep fighting for families and servicemembers across Hawaii.” More information on the military provisions Senator Hirono secured is available below: Red Hill Authorizes $1 billion in funding for the Red Hill Recovery Fund. Authorizes the closure of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility on Oahu and $1 billion in funding to support the closure. Develops plans for Directs the Department of Defense (DoD) to appoint a single point of contact to lead the closure of Red Hill and conduct an independent assessment of optimal post-closure care for the Red Hill facility. Establishes a water monitoring program at the facility. Directs a federally funded research and development to conduct a study to determine the range of feasible alternative DoD uses for the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility and provide to the Secretary a report on the findings of the study. Directs a briefing on the efforts of the Secretary of Defense to appropriately track the health implications of fuel leaks at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility for members of the Armed Forces and dependents thereof, including members of each Armed Force and dependents thereof. the closure, clean-up, monitoring and maintenance and post-optimal closure care for the facility; environmental remediation of ground water at the facility; and how the Department will coordinate with state regulatory authorities, water utility authority, state environmental agencies and surrounding community. While not a part of NDAA, the military is taking additional steps to address health implications, including standing up the Red Hill Clinic, administered by the Defense Health Agency, which will be the main medical agency for symptoms and conditions related to the water contamination. Delivering for Hawaii Directs the Secretary of the Navy to pay for the cost to transfer customers off the Navy’s electrical system at Kalaeloa to a new system operated by Hawaiian Electric. Authorizes up to $40 million in funding for planning and design for the Waterfront Production Facility at Pearl Harbor Shipyard. Authorizes $446 million for the replacement of Dry Dock 3 at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickham (JBPHH). Authorizes $7 million for the construction of an aircraft maintenance hangar at Marine Corps Base Kaneohe Bay. Authorizes $10 million for increasing safety and modernization of missile magazines at JBPHH. Authorizes $57.9 million for the Bachelor Enlisted Quarters at Marine Corps Base Kaneohe Bay. Authorizes $40 million for the C-40 Aircraft Maintenance Hangar at Marine Corps Base Kaneohe Bay. Authorizes $29 million for the National Guard Readiness Center, Kalaeloa. Authorizes $89 million for the Air Force Research Laboratory, Maui Experimental Site. Authorizes $25 million for the Company Operations Facility, Schofield Barracks. Authorizes $33 million for Water System Upgrades at Fort Shafter. Authorizes $38 million for the Potable Water System at Tripler Army Medical Center. Authorizes a 4.6% salary increase for servicemembers. Strengthening Our Ability to Protect the Pacific Region Directs INDOPACOM to submit a report on the international agreements necessary to achieve the necessary force presence in the Pacific, and a plan for entering into those agreements. Directs the Secretary of the Navy to implement the Comptroller General’s recommendations to the Shipyard Improvement Optimization Plan (SIOP) to better understand anticipated costs of the program. Sets a floor of at least 31 amphibious assault ships in the U.S. fleet. Authorizes $78.9 million for INDOPACOM theater exercises. Authorizes $19 million for the Pacific Multi-Domain Training and Experimentation Capability (PMTEC) to connect training ranges across the Pacific. Authorizes $2.4 million for INDOPACOM Pacific Movement Coordination Center to support collaboration and information sharing across the Pacific region. Authorizes $8 million for the Asia Pacific Regional Initiative (APRI) to strengthen the U.S. military’s relationships with Pacific region partners. Authorizes $250 million for LPD Flight II Advance Procurement to support the procurement of additional amphibious transport docks. Prioritizing Sustainability Requires DoD to transition fully to electric and other alternatively-fueled vehicles for its fleet of non-tactical vehicles by 2035, helping reduce the DoD’s reliance on fossil fuels. Authorizes $176 million for the Readiness and Environmental Protection Initiative (REPI) to make military installations more resilient to climate change and land use conversion. Authorizes $30 million to improve the reliability of the electrical grid at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam under the Energy Resilience and Conservation Investment Program (ERCIP). Video of Senator Hirono discussing the provisions to close Red Hill is available here and video of her discussing other investments in military infrastructure is available here ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-provisions-to-improve-volcanic-warning-system-protect-coral-reefs-passes-senate-set-to-become-law,"Schatz Provisions To Improve Volcanic Warning System, Protect Coral Reefs Passes Senate, Set To Become Law",2022-12-15,2022,2022-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate today passed the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which included several provisions authored by U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i). Schatz’s provisions included measures to protect coral reefs, improve the nation’s volcanic warning system, and stop the cruel practice of killing sharks for their fins. The NDAA bill now heads to president’s desk to be signed into law. The NDAA bill includes the bipartisan Restoring Resilient Reefs Act which was authored by Schatz and U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.). The landmark bill increases authorizations for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Coral Reef Program from $16 million to $45 million annually. It also authorizes a state block grant program for $12 million annually to support state efforts to manage and restore coral reefs, and $4.5 million annually for Pacific and Atlantic coral reef cooperative institutes. The provision’s passage with the NDAA is a major step forward for coral reef stewardship. “Our coral reefs have been pushed to the brink of extinction, and we need to act now to save them. Our bill, which is now set to become law, puts federal funding in the hands of states and territories to manage and restore the coral reefs that our communities, oceans, and coasts depend on,” said Senator Schatz. Schatz also authored the Volcanic Ash and Fumes Act and secured its inclusion into NDAA. The bipartisan bill updates the U.S. Geological Survey’s National Volcanic Early Warning System by requiring NOAA to share volcanic gas and ash dispersal models to be incorporated into the warning system, keeping responders, residents, and aviation safe during volcanic eruptions and their aftermath. Schatz continued, “Hawai‘i has six active volcanoes, including Mauna Loa and Kīlauea. As we all know in Hawai‘i, volcanic eruptions can be a real danger, so improving our warning systems can make a difference in keeping people safe. Our bipartisan bill, which is set to become law, is a common-sense step to make sure the agencies tracking volcanoes have all available data to respond to threats on land, in the sea, and in the sky, and better protect families in our state.” The bill also includes a provision cosponsored by Senator Schatz, which will ban the buying and selling of shark fins in the United States and protect sharks from finning, the brutal practice of slicing fins off of live sharks and throwing the remainder of the animal back into the ocean to drown, starve, or die a slow death. Schatz led the effort to include the provision when the bill passed out of the Commerce Committee. “Finning is cruel, and it’s crushing the global shark population, which is critical to our oceans and marine ecosystem,” said Senator Schatz. “I’m glad we were able to move this bill one step closer to becoming law so that we can protect more sharks from this brutal practice.” The NDAA bill also includes Schatz-Thune legislation to improve weather forecasting. The Learning Excellence and Good Examples from New Developers (LEGEND) Act will require NOAA to make certain operational models publicly available and utilize any innovations to improve the models that are developed as a result of public collaboration.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-urges-dod-to-step-up-efforts-to-help-those-experiencing-health-issues-from-red-hill-water-contamination,Schatz Urges DoD To Step Up Efforts To Help Those Experiencing Health Issues From Red Hill Water Contamination,2022-12-15,2022,2022-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today called on the Department of Defense to step up its efforts to assist people experiencing health issues as a result of water contamination from the Red Hill fuel leak. “Protecting the health and safety of service members and their families is the sacred obligation of the Department of Defense, and the water contamination of the community water system at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam was a breach of trust. DoD must use all tools at its disposal to ensure that all people who were exposed have access to the medical assessments and treatments they need today and in the future, including service members, military family members, DoD civilian employees, DoD contractors, and civilians who are not DoD-affiliated,” Schatz wrote in his letter to Gilbert Cisneros, the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. In his letter, Schatz urged the DoD to provide additional health care resources and benefits to all those impacted, including non-Military Health System beneficiaries. Schatz also called for transparency and more details on the chemicals those impacted may have been exposed to, and a long-term health study to help provide key medical data to those affected and their doctors. The full text of Schatz’s letter can be found below and is available here. Dear Mr. Cisneros: As we recently marked one year since the Red Hill fuel leak, I write to you with concern about the ongoing public health impacts of this crisis. Protecting the health and safety of service members and their families is the sacred obligation of the Department of Defense, and the water contamination of the community water system at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam was a breach of trust. DoD must use all tools at its disposal to ensure that all people who were exposed have access to the medical assessments and treatments they need today and in the future, including service members, military family members, DoD civilian employees, DoD contractors, and civilians who are not DoD-affiliated. I appreciate the Defense Health Agency’s (DHA) efforts to-date, including an incident report that tracks DoD-affiliated personnel who were exposed, and the health care benefits and services the agency routinely provides to service members, military retirees, and family members. While I am encouraged by additional health care actions described at recent community meetings, I urge you to make the health and wellbeing of individuals whose health was impacted a central focus of your response to the Red Hill fuel leak moving forward. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) recently released a 10-month follow-up investigation on the health effects of the November 2021 leak that echoed the experiences that families have consistently shared over the past year. Alarmingly, ATSDR reports acute impacts on vulnerable groups, including children and people who were pregnant at the time of the leak. The findings illustrate the significance and ubiquity of mental and physical health symptoms: 80% reported symptoms in the past 30 days 55% reported worse physical health compared to before the leak 50% reported worse mental health compared to before the leak 46% reported being very concerned about tap water safety 41% reported worsening of an existing condition 31% reported a new diagnosis from a health care provider since the leak As the Department determines its priorities to respond to these findings, I urge you to take the following actions to support the health and safety of people affected: Release the chemical breakdown of JP-5 and additives, so that exposed individuals and their health providers can tailor screenings and treatments appropriately. Absent this critical information, providers are treating clusters of symptoms without a full understanding of the root cause. If DoD cannot release the chemical breakdown in the interest of national security, then DHA experts should evaluate classified information and publish multiple screening and treatment protocols for subpopulations with a range of risk profiles and age groups. When DoD provides this information, it must be sure to publicize to primary care, occupational, and environmental health specialists across the MHS, throughout the TRICARE network, and among community providers in Hawaii to ensure that all people who were exposed—including those with a permanent change of station—can receive necessary services. Ensure all people who were exposed have access to the care they need—emphasizing vulnerable populations and the wellbeing of children. Numerous strategies could accomplish this goal to ensure access to necessary care. I am pleased that DHA recently announced plans to launch a Red Hill coordinated care clinic at Makalapa Branch Health Clinic that will offer a team-based approach to primary care with access to specialty providers, care managers, and other support services specifically to respond to impacted Military Health System beneficiaries. Subject to space availability and compelling need, DoD could also use its statutory authority through the Secretarial Designee Program to provide medical assessments and treatment to non-Military Health System beneficiaries. Contingent on the terms of each beneficiary’s chosen TRICARE plan option, DHA should ensure that there are no bureaucratic entanglements unnecessarily delaying care. Adopt a third-party registry to track comprehensive information about all individuals who were exposed, and the resulting health impacts. This registry should include a community advisory board and provide a centralized communications platform to notify individuals about resources, services, and emerging findings. I appreciate that DoD immediately noted the need to account for individuals exposed through its Defense Occupational and Environmental Health Readiness System incident report. As DHA has acknowledged, this report has limitations, including its failure to include non-DoD affiliated personnel, data are not individualized, and health data are not included. DoD has publicly stated it is considering taking up ATSDR’s recommendation to adopt a registry managed by a third party. I urge DoD to do so as expeditiously as possible. Swift action will help ensure that more exposed individuals are included. The longer DoD waits, the less comprehensive this registry will be. Assess long-term health outcomes through epidemiological studies. Using the platform of the third-party registry, DoD must commission studies to evaluate long-term health impacts. As ATSDR has indicated, there is limited research about the longitudinal effects of JP-5 exposure, particularly among vulnerable groups like babies exposed in utero and young children. DoD must partner with ATSDR, State of Hawaii officials, and independent research entities on these studies to ensure people’s long-term health needs are addressed today and in the future. I urge the Department to take up these and other priority actions to address the public health impacts among all people exposed to the contaminated water system at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Thank you for your attention to this critical matter. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/video-house-passes-hirono-legislation-to-support-native-hawaiian-survivors-of-gender-based-violence,VIDEO: House Passes Hirono Legislation to Support Native Hawaiian Survivors of Gender-Based Violence,2022-12-14,2022,2022-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation introduced by U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) to allow Native Hawaiian survivors of gender-based violence to access critical programs and resources provided by Congress through the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). The reauthorization of VAWA—which was signed into law in March, 2022—provides funding to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, sex-trafficking, dating violence and stalking. Senator Hirono’s legislation amends the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) to ensure Native Hawaiian organizations can actually serve the Native Hawaiian community. The bill, which passed in the Senate unanimously earlier this month, passed in the House on a voice vote and now heads to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law. “For decades, Congress has provided funding to support survivors of gender-based violence through the Violence Against Women Act, including Native women who experience disproportionately high levels of sexual violence,” said Senator Hirono. “However—unlike American Indian and Alaska Native women—Native Hawaiian women have been unjustly excluded from accessing much-needed resources provided through VAWA. I’ve been focused on making the necessary changes for years to ensure that Native Hawaiian organizations can finally serve the Native Hawaiian community. And I’m proud that today, my bill to amend VAWA passed the House and now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law. Now, Native Hawaiian survivors will actually be able to access the support they need and deserve, and Native Hawaiian organizations will be able to do even more in the fight to end sexual violence.” Native women across the country—including American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women—experience disproportionately high levels of sexual violence. Therefore, VAWA includes Services, Training, Officers Prosecutors (STOP) grants to provide funding for eligible Native-serving non-profits, including Native Hawaiian organizations, to help combat sexual violence and support survivors. However, because of how the law was written, while Native Hawaiian organizations are able to apply for STOP grant funding, they cannot use the funds to actually serve the Native Hawaiian community. As a result, Native Hawaiian women have been unable to access critical resources included in VAWA. According to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, more than two-thirds of sex trafficking victims in Hawaii are Native Hawaiian women and girls, and 37% of reported child sex trafficking cases in Hawaii are Native Hawaiian. Senator Hirono has been a vocal advocate for the Native Hawaiian community and efforts to combat violence against Native Hawaiians. Last month, she spoke on the Senate floor about the need to amend VAWA to include Native Hawaiian women. In August, she pressed FBI Director Christopher Wray to do more to protect the Native Hawaiian community from sexual exploitation at a full Judiciary Committee hearing and emphasized the need for the FBI to include the Native Hawaiian community in its efforts to address the missing and murdered Indigenous people crisis and violence against Native communities. In May, she joined a resolution designating May 5th as National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-leads-bipartisan-group-of-senators-in-urging-brazilian-president-elect-luiz-inacio-lula-da-silva-to-combat-deforestation-work-with-us-global-partners,"Schatz Leads Bipartisan Group Of Senators In Urging Brazilian President-Elect Luiz Inácio Lula Da Silva To Combat Deforestation, Work With U.S., Global Partners",2022-12-14,2022,2022-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today led a bipartisan group of senators in urging Brazilian president-elect Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to work with American and global leaders to prevent deforestation of the Amazon rainforest and help fight climate change. Citing Lula’s public commitments to protect the Amazon, the senators expressed their interest in working with him and the National Congress of Brazil to restore protections against illegal deforestation. “The Brazilian Amazon is one of the world’s most important carbon sinks, and its preservation is of vital importance not just to Brazil, but also to the United States and countries around the world,” the senators wrote to the president-elect. “Your track record is an indication of your ability to restore robust enforcement of your country’s Forest Code when you assume the presidency. We also appreciate the challenges you face in reversing a multi-year trend of lax law enforcement amid opposition from powerful interests. We are eager to work with your administration and the international community as you undertake this crucial work that has implications for the entire global community.” Schatz previously introduced the FOREST Act, bipartisan legislation which creates a framework for the federal government to deter commodity-driven illegal deforestation around the world. Deforestation accounts for roughly 10 percent of human-caused carbon emissions globally, and scientists have warned in recent years that the Amazon is reaching a dangerous tipping point amid escalating deforestation. Protecting the Amazon from deforestation will help prevent the most destructive climate change scenarios while supporting biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. In addition to Schatz, the letter was also signed by U.S. Senators Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Chris Coons (D-Del.), and Todd Young (R-Ind.). The full text of the letter can be found below and is available here. Dear Mr. President-elect: We write to congratulate you on your victory and express our desire to work with you to strengthen U.S.-Brazil cooperation. Our countries have a long history of productive engagement rooted in shared values, interests, and histories. We look forward to building on that foundation to address the many priorities we have in common. We want to convey our particular interest in working with you to reinvigorate our countries’ collaboration on forest protection and restoration. The Brazilian Amazon is one of the world’s most important carbon sinks, and its preservation is of vital importance not just to Brazil, but also to the United States and countries around the world. Scientists have warned in recent years that the rainforest is reaching a dangerous tipping point amid escalating deforestation. Your commitment to, and track record of, reversing this trend and enforcing and strengthening Brazil’s environmental laws provides the opportunity for us to partner to combat deforestation. Deforestation accounts for roughly 10 percent of human-caused carbon emissions globally. As you have consistently acknowledged over the years, preservation of the Amazon is critical not only for biodiversity and ecosystem resilience, but also for preventing the most destructive climate change scenarios. Furthermore, nearly half of all tropical deforestation is estimated to be the result of illegal conversion of forest for commercial agriculture. When so much deforestation in Brazil and around the world is occurring in violation of existing laws, addressing the issue is a matter of law enforcement and international security. Illegal deforestation is a practice often associated with corruption, organized crime, and human rights abuses, which disproportionately impacts indigenous communities. It is in our collective interest to ensure criminals cannot threaten local communities and wildlife with illegal clearing, or use the proceeds from their destructive practices to fund other illicit enterprises. Furthermore, curbing this practice will be economically beneficial for both our nations, as producers who play by the rules in Brazil and the United States face unfair competition from illegally produced commodities. We are very encouraged by your campaign pledge to tighten protections against illegal deforestation of the Amazon. We note the progress you made in significantly curbing deforestation during your previous tenure in office and your longstanding commitment to environmental protection. Your track record is an indication of your ability to restore robust enforcement of your country’s Forest Code when you assume the presidency. We also appreciate the challenges you face in reversing a multi-year trend of lax law enforcement amid opposition from powerful interests. We are eager to work with your administration and the international community as you undertake this crucial work that has implications for the entire global community. We look forward to engaging with you and with our counterparts in the National Congress of Brazil to find areas for cooperation on forest restoration, environmental protection, national security, and mutual economic prosperity. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-takano-blumenthal-introduce-legislation-to-protect-sexual-privacy-stop-targeted-government-attacks-on-lgbtq-rights,"Schatz, Takano, Blumenthal Introduce Legislation To Protect Sexual Privacy, Stop Targeted Government Attacks On LGBTQ+ Rights",2022-12-14,2022,2022-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and U.S. Representative Mark Takano (D-Calif.) introduced the Right to Private Conduct Act, a bill to protect the rights to privacy and liberty granted by the Supreme Court decision in Lawrence v. Texas. The legislation would prevent any person acting under color of law from inhibiting an individual’s right to engage in private, non-commercial, consensual sexual conduct between adults. “Our bill makes one thing clear: what goes on between consenting adults in their private lives is their business, not the government’s,” said Senator Schatz. “The Supreme Court has grown senseless in their attacks on our rights. As it stands, millions of Americans could see a rollback of their protected rights to make their own personal decisions about fundamentally private matters,” said Representative Takano. “While the threat to reconsider the current interpretations of privacy and liberty affects everyone, it disproportionately affects the LGBTQ+ community. The government has no right to interfere in the sexual relations of any consenting adult, and the Right to Private Conduct Act will finally enshrine this belief into federal law.” “This measure will counter the Supreme Court’s ongoing attacks on privacy and personal freedom. As extreme justices and judges attempt to roll-back the ability of Americans to make their own decisions about their bodies and their futures, I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing the Right to Private Conduct Act,” said Senator Blumenthal. “This legislation will protect all Americans, including the LGBTQ+ community, from invasive government overreach in Americans’ most personal, intimate decisions.” The landmark Lawrence v. Texas ruling established the right of all adult couples to be free from unwarranted state intrusion into their personal decisions about consensual sexual relationships – a major victory for civil rights that invalidated arcane sodomy laws and paved the way for marriage equality. Prior to Lawrence, sodomy laws allowed law enforcement and community members to violate individual privacy by reporting suspected sexual activity. Although the policing of private spaces affected all individuals and couples, sodomy laws disproportionately targeted and criminalized members of the LGBTQ community, barring individuals from access to employment, housing, parental rights, adoption and foster parenting, and protection under civil rights law. In the years since the ruling, Lawrence has served as a cornerstone of the emerging legal field of sexual privacy, one which governs laws regarding sexual autonomy, consent, intimacy, and human dignity. In this era of increased concerns surrounding privacy, it is critical that all Americans maintain those protected rights. In addition to Blumenthal, Schatz’s Senate bill is cosponsored by U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i). Takano’s House bill is cosponsored by U.S. Representatives Sylvia Garcia (D-Texas), Chris Pappas (D-N.H.), Mondaire Jones (D-N.Y.), Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.), Katie Porter (D-Calif.), and Dwight Evans (D-Pa.). The bill has been endorsed by the American Civil Liberties Union, PFLAG, and the National Center for Transgender Equality. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-joins-president-biden-for-signing-of-respect-for-marriage-act,Hirono Joins President Biden For Signing of Respect for Marriage Act,2022-12-13,2022,2022-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined President Biden at the White House as he signed the Respect for Marriage Act into law. The bipartisan legislation, which Senator Hirono cosponsored and helped to pass last month, protects marriage equality for same-sex and interracial couples in federal law. “Being able to marry who you want, regardless of race or gender, is a fundamental right, which is why I was proud to vote to protect same-sex and interracial marriages at the federal level,” said Senator Hirono. “The Respect for Marriage Act provides long overdue assurance for married couples that their unions will remain legal and protected, and I am glad that President Biden signed it into law today. I will continue working to ensure that every person in our country can live safely and openly as their authentic selves.” The Respect for Marriage Act is bipartisan, bicameral legislation—cosponsored by Senator Hirono—to protect marriage equality in federal law. Specifically, the Respect for Marriage Act would: Require the federal government to recognize a marriage between two individuals if the marriage was valid in the state where it was performed; and Guarantee that valid marriages between two individuals are given full faith and credit, regardless of the couple’s sex, race, ethnicity, or national origin, but the bill would not require a State to issue a marriage license contrary to state law. Senator Hirono has been a consistent champion for LGBTQ+ rights. Earlier this year, she introduced a resolution recognizing June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month and took to the Senate floor to block Senate Republicans’ attempt to pass anti-transgender legislation to ban trans women and girls from participating in sports consistent with their gender. In March, Senator Hirono also introduced a resolution with her Senate colleagues recognizing International Transgender Day of Visibility. She is also a sponsor of the Equality Act, legislation which would extend federal civil rights protections to LGBTQ+ individuals. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/house-passed-national-defense-authorization-acts-includes-hirono-bills-to-protect-coral-reefs-reconnect-families-separated-by-korean-war,"House-Passed National Defense Authorization Acts Includes Hirono Bills to Protect Coral Reefs, Reconnect Families Separated by Korean War",2022-12-09,2022,2022-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI), secured the text of two bills she sponsored in the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (FY23 NDAA), which passed the House earlier this week by a vote of 350-80 and now heads to the Senate for consideration, where it is expected to pass with broad support and become law. The NDAA includes the text of Senator Hirono’s Coral Reef Sustainability Through Innovation Act, bipartisan legislation to help protect coral reef ecosystems, as well as the text of her Korean War Divided Families Reunification Act, bipartisan legislation to establish a formal process to help Korean American families reunite with family members that remain in North Korea. As a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Hirono also secured numerous defense-related provisions in the FY23 NDAA, including $1 billion for the closure of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility on Oahu, as well as nearly $800 million for other military infrastructure projects across Hawaii. Introduced earlier this month, Senator Hirono’s Coral Reef Sustainability Through Innovation Act is a bipartisan bill to help protect coral reef ecosystems in Hawaii and across the nation from increasing threats such as climate change, pollution, and direct damage from humans. The legislation directs the federal agencies that are members of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force to establish, individually or with one or more other agencies, a coral health prize competition in order to spur innovative solutions to preserve, sustain, and restore coral reef ecosystems at no additional cost to taxpayers. “Coral reefs are critical to Hawaii’s environment and provide tens of billions of dollars in economic value to the American people,” said Senator Hirono. “With threats like climate change and pollution endangering the continued existence of coral reefs, it’s critical we invest in innovative solutions to protect and revive these vital marine ecosystems. The federal prize competitions this bill creates will help protect our coral reefs while advancing our understanding of these ecosystems and the best way to preserve them into the future.” The NDAA also included the Korean War Divided Families Reunification Act, which she introduced in August. This bipartisan legislation directs the U.S. Secretary of State to establish a formal process to help Korean American families reunite with family members that remain in North Korea. “Although the hostilities of the Korean War ended nearly seventy years ago, many Korean American families in Hawaii and across our country continue to suffer its consequence and are unable to see or connect with family members still in North Korea,” said Senator Hirono. “Family separation is wrong, and these families deserve the opportunity to reconnect with their loved ones. I’m glad we were able to take this meaningful step in this year’s NDAA.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://case.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1006,U.S. House Passes Annual Defense Authorization Bill To Further Address Red Hill Fuel Crisis Including Health Impacts,2022-12-08,2022,2022-12,Democrat,House,HI,Ed Case,C001055,case.house.gov,case,https://case.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27&Page=16,scraper,"(Washington, DC) – Congressman Ed Case (HI-01) announced that the full U.S. House has approved the $847.3 billion Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), including his priorities relating to closing Red Hill, strengthening America’s national defense in the Indo-Pacific and improving the Department of Defense’s (DoD) relationship with the local community. The bill retains nine floor amendments introduced by Case and approved during earlier House consideration. “Through the FY 2023 NDAA, the Hawai‘i Congressional delegation reaffirms our efforts to ensure the closure of Red Hill and ensure transparency in the defueling, closure and remediation process. Equally important, it reinforces the importance of tracking the long-term health of those affected by the crisis,” said Case. The bill’s Red Hill provisions include: · Requiring the Navy to issue a publicly available report every quarter on the status of the effort to close the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility. · Directing the DoD to determine the need, number and optimal locations of additional sentinel or monitoring wells to detect and track the movement of fuel that has leaked into the ground, in coordination with the United States Geological Survey. · Requiring the DoD to conduct a hydrology study around Red Hill and assess how best to address the water needs on O‘ahu and mitigate water shortages, to include water treatment plants or the placement of a new drinking water shaft. · Directing the DoD to track the long-term health implications of fuel leaks from Red Hill for members of the armed forces and their dependents in conjunction with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and Hawai‘i Department of Health. The bill also supports Case’s continued efforts to strengthen the military’s community engagement efforts as it works to rebuild trust with the people of Hawai‘i following the Red Hill fuel leaks. “The military must do everything it can to earn back trust from our communities,” said Case. “This can only be done by coordinated performance and partnership among all services over time.” Case introduced and secured passage of provisions that require the DoD to develop and implement a Hawai‘i-specific community engagement strategy that strengthens the ties between the military and the local community and improves coordination across military departments on consultation and engagement initiatives. Additionally, the NDAA requires the DoD to increase cultural support to military units in the state, which includes training on Hawaiian culture and improved consultation with the Native Hawaiian community. Finally, the bill requires the military to enhance defense cooperation with allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region. The bill also authorizes crucial investments in America’s global network of alliances and partnerships, including more than $11.5 billion in funding for the Pacific Deterrence Initiative. Additionally, the bill expands DoD funding to include support for U.S. Coast Guard personnel and capabilities in the participation of training, exercises and other activities with foreign partners in the region. “Military installations in Hawai‘i play a crucial role in keeping the U.S. safe and protecting our national interests worldwide,” said Case, “especially given the shift in our national security strategies and resources to the Indo-Pacific. As the only state located in the Indo-Pacific, it is instrumental in deterring and denying our adversaries’ ability to engage in acts of aggression or coercion against our partners and allies. The FY 2023 NDAA reaffirms the importance of the U.S. presence, and that presence begins in our state.” To strengthen America’s presences in the Indo-Pacific, the NDAA also requires the military to submit a report on the advisability of enhancing defense cooperation with partners in the region and includes expanding the role of the National Guard in support of these initiatives, especially in Oceania. This includes a pilot program to enhance DoD engagement with young civilian defense and security leaders in the Indo-Pacific region. Additionally, it directs the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development to provide an independent assessment of the resources needed to fulfill the Indo-Pacific Strategy. Finally, the bill directs the military to increase its support for the Compact negotiations with the Freely Associated States - the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Republic of Palau – that are essential to our country’s national security. In addition to the provisions described above, the bill includes the following amendments secured by Case: · Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program (SIOP) Facilities Review: Directs the Navy to improve the SIOP’s efforts to optimize facilities and replace outdated equipment, such as those at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility. · Improving Oversight of Large Construction Projects: Requires the DoD to review the Navy’s ability to manage, supervise and inspect projects that cost more than $500 million, to include SIOP projects in Hawai‘i. · Underground Facilities in Hawai‘i: Requires the military to survey underground tunnels and facilities like the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility located in Hawai‘i. · Assessing Future Investments on Guam: Requires the military to brief Congress on required infrastructure investment in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands based on emerging threats in the region and the ongoing relocations of U.S. service members from Japan. · Joint Base Military Construction Assessment: Requires the DoD to review prioritization of military construction, maintenance and upgrades of joint base infrastructure and facilities, with a particular focus on facilities belonging to subordinate services relative to the lead service on joint bases, such as Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. The bill includes various other programs, provisions and funding affecting Hawai‘i and the Indo-Pacific, as follows: · Authorizes $873 million in military construction projects and acquisition in Hawai‘i, including: o Pearl Harbor Dry Dock: $446 million o Pearl Harbor Missile Magazines: $10 million o Pearl Harbor Primary Electrical Distribution Upgrade: $25 million o Pearl Harbor Water Line Upgrades: $10 million o Pearl Harbor Shipyard Waterfront Production Facility: $40 million o Maui Secure Integration Support Lab: $89 million o Marine Corps Base Kāne‘ohe Bay Bachelor Enlisted Quarters: $58 million o Marine Corps Base Kāne‘ohe Bay C-40 Hangar: $40 million o Kapolei National Guard Readiness Center: $29 million o Tripler Army Medical Center Water System Upgrades: $38 million o Fort Shafter Water System Upgrades: $33 million o Schofield Barracks Company Operations Facility: $25 million o Energy Resilience on Pearl Harbor: $30 million · Authorizes the transfer of the former Barber’s Point utility system to the State of Hawai‘i. · Authorizes the construction of two new Virginia-Class Submarines that will be maintained at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility. · Expresses Congressional support for the U.S. defense relationship with Taiwan, a key effort for the Hawai‘i National Guard. · Requires U.S. Indo-Pacific Command to provide a report to Congress describing the support and sustainment for critical capabilities necessary to meet operational requirements in a conflict. · Requires an independent study on fuel distribution logistics in the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility and quarterly reporting on the progress made in establishing permanent fuel logistics points. · Requires the DoD to analyze Chinese influence in the Pacific Islands region in its annual report. · Expresses congressional support for South Korea as a critical ally of the U.S. and requires a briefing on how the DoD will seek to implement the U.S. extended deterrence commitment to Korea. · Secures significant investments in clean energy and energy efficiency at DoD, harnessing solar and electric technologies to ensure that our defense facilities and vehicle fleets are resilient to climate disaster and energy disruptions. This year’s bill also supports a 4.6% pay raise for service members and civilians, and additional resources to help ease inflationary pressures. It also directs the Department of Transportation to develop and deliver to Congress a strategy to assist state maritime academies and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in improving the representation in the next generation of the mariner workforce of women and underrepresented communities, to include Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. “We need to continue to support our service members and help them through the rising inflation that affects their ability to care for their families,” said Case. “Along with the pay raise, Congress also provided financial support for the commissaries and expanded support for childcare through this bill.” Overall, the FY 2023 NDAA authorizes $847.3 billion in discretionary spending for national defense across the DoD, parts of the Department of Energy and other agencies. It seeks to restore U.S. alliances and partnerships and strengthen our country’s global competitiveness. This year’s NDAA will fulfill Congress’s constitutional obligation to “provide for the common defense.” A summary of the bill is available here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://case.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1007,Case Announces Passage Of Most Consequential Oceans Legislation In Decades,2022-12-08,2022,2022-12,Democrat,House,HI,Ed Case,C001055,case.house.gov,case,https://case.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27&Page=17,scraper,"(Washington, DC) – Congressman Ed Case (HI-01) announced that the full U.S. House passed a package of oceans bills included in the annual National Defense Authorization Act that include his longtime efforts to conserve coral reefs, protect marine mammals and better understand marine ecosystems. “From warmer temperatures and acidification to nonpoint-source pollution, trash, overfishing and beyond, our oceans are on an unsustainable path and desperately need our help to save them,” said Case, a member of the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources with jurisdiction over federal ocean programs, as well as the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations and of its Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Science which oversees and funds many such programs. “This legislation not only focuses attention on our oceans, but also commits resources to effectively respond to the concerns which is critical not just to our island home but to the global environment as well.” “Hawaii’s oceans and coral reefs are in dire need of investment to sustain their future in the face of climate change,” said Suzanne Case, Chair of the Hawai‘i State Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR). “DLNR is very grateful for our delegation’s strong leadership and Congress’s commitment to conserving Hawaii’s oceans and coral reefs.” Chair Case continued: “The Ocean and Coral Reef Legislation will be a major boost to Hawaii’s coral reef conservation program to help sustain Hawaii’s reefs to protect our shorelines and support thriving fisheries, ecosystems, and our economy.” The package includes a number of bills that Congressman Case helped draft, introduced and advance in the House Natural Resources Committee, including the Coral Reef Sustainability through Innovation Act and the Restoring Resilient Reefs Act. Overall, the package will help advance: Coral Reef Conservation These titles reauthorize and amend the Coral Reef Conservation Act to better address climate change, ecosystem loss, disease outbreaks and other threats to corals. In addition, these titles establish new programs and funding opportunities for states and territories for coral research, conservation, and restoration and authorize the Coral Reef Task Force and U.S. Department of the Interior coral reef activities, with a focus on U.S. insular areas. Ocean Science To date, less than 5% of the ocean has been explored. Smart investments in ocean research and technology will contribute to a greater knowledge of the oceans and coastlines, as well as lay the groundwork for more growth and job creation in the attractive blue economy sector. This title directs existing ocean-focused interagency committees to coordinate overlapping data collection, align supercomputing and data storage efforts, develop cross-agency databases and support consistent archiving practices. This title also directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to create, maintain and regularly update a publicly available website that provides links and information about all resiliency grant programs administered by NOAA. Regional Ocean Partnerships (ROPs) ROPs help coordinate interstate management. This provision authorizes federal support for these partnerships by directing the Secretary of Commerce to establish new ROPs on request from the governor of a coastal state. The provision authorizes $10.1 million for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023, with increases each year through 2027, and it authorizes $1 million for FY 2023 through FY 2027 for tribes and Indigenous communities to participate or engage with ROPs. National Ocean Exploration Provides statutory authority for the National Ocean Mapping, Exploration and Characterization Council and revises several programs at NOAA that support ocean and coastal mapping, hydrographic surveys and spatial data collection. Marine Mammals This title updates and modernizes the highly successful Marine Mammal Protection Act. It improves marine mammal science, creates ""Marine Mammal Health Monitoring and Analysis Platform to collect and report data about the death of marine mammals, promoting interdisciplinary research, facilitating communication and improving collaboration among scientists and observation networks. The title also provides for new conservation and grant programs that harness technology to reduce ocean noise, monitor marine mammals and help vessels avoid them and improve technology for marine mammal conservation. Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing and Forced Labor The U.S. is the largest seafood importer in the world. Despite efforts to deny illegally and unethically harvested seafood access to U.S. markets, nearly 11% of total U.S. seafood imports in 2019 - worth $2.4 billion - were illegal or unreported fishing products. China is a major source of these fish products and a top country of concern for human rights violations in the seafood supply chain. This title strengthens laws surrounding illegal fishing/slave labor provisions. Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force This section updates the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force to provide assistance and recommendations to state and tribal agencies for inspecting and decontaminating recreational vessels for the purposes of managing and controlling aquatic invasive species. NOAA Corps Makes updates to the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps, building off Case’s bill enacted last Congress to strengthen the NOAA Commissioned Office Corps. The section also provides authorities for the Office of Marine and Aviation Operations to acquire new hurricane hunter aircraft. Banning Shark Fin Sales Since 1970, shark populations have declined by 70%, posing a major threat to ocean ecology and biodiversity. The fins from as many as 73 million sharks make it into the shark fin trade each year, with China having one of the largest markets. The U.S. continues to contribute to the global shark fin trade even though a number of states, airlines, shipping companies, and others have already banned it. The section prohibits the domestic sale of shark fins and creates a violation penalty under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. A summary of the bill is available here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-secures-1-billion-to-close-red-hill-nearly-800-million-to-upgrade-military-infrastructure-in-hawaii-in-house-passed-national-defense-authorization-act,"Hirono Secures $1 Billion to Close Red Hill, Nearly $800 Million to Upgrade Military Infrastructure in Hawaii in House Passed National Defense Authorization Act",2022-12-08,2022,2022-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI), today applauded House passage of the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which included key provisions she secured as a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), including $1 billion for the defueling and closure of Red Hill and nearly $800 million for other military infrastructure upgrades in Hawaii. The NDAA—which passed the House by a vote of 350-80 and now heads to Senate for final passage—also included Senator Hirono’s legislation to electrify all of the military’s non-tactical vehicles by 2035. “As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, my priority in NDAA—first and foremost—has been to safely close Red Hill. I’m proud that I successfully secured $1 billion in this year’s NDAA for that purpose. In addition to Red Hill, families and servicemembers in Hawaii continue to bear the brunt of other aging and poorly maintained military infrastructure. I fought to secure over $800 million to safeguard and modernize critical infrastructure in Hawaii and across the region in order to protect families and ensure INDOPACOM meets its mission of enhancing stability in our region,” said Senator Hirono. “While DoD works to modernize its infrastructure, Congress has a responsibility to reduce the government’s carbon emissions. That’s why we included language to require the Defense Department to transition its non-combat vehicle fleet to electric and other zero-emissions vehicles by 2035. There’s still a lot of work to do reduce the military’s dependence on oil and reduce our emissions, but this bill is a step in the right direction.” More information on the military provisions Senator Hirono secured is available below: Red Hill Authorizes $1 billion in funding for the Red Hill Recovery Fund. Authorizes the closure of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility on Oahu and $1 billion in funding to support the closure. Develops plans for Directs the DOD to appoint a single point of contact to lead the closure of Red Hill and conduct an independent assessment of optimal post-closure care for the Red Hill facility. Establishes a water monitoring program at the facility. Directs a federally funded research and development to conduct a study to determine the range of feasible alternative Department of Defense uses for the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility and provide to the Secretary a report on the findings of the study. Directs a briefing on the efforts of the Secretary of Defense to appropriately track the health implications of fuel leaks at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility for members of the Armed Forces and dependents thereof, including members of each Armed Force and dependents thereof. the closure, clean-up, monitoring and maintenance and post-optimal closure care for the facility; environmental remediation of ground water at the facility; and how the Department will coordinate with state regulatory authorities, water utility authority, state environmental agencies and surrounding community. While not a part of NDAA, the military is taking additional steps to address health implications, including standing up the Red Hill Clinic, administered by the Defense Health Agency, which will be the main medical agency for symptoms and conditions related to the water contamination. Delivering for Hawaii Directs the Secretary of the Navy to pay for the cost to transfer customers off the Navy’s electrical system at Kalaeloa to a new system operated by Hawaiian Electric. Authorizes up to $40 million in funding for planning and design for the Waterfront Production Facility at Pearl Harbor Shipyard. Authorizes $446 million for the replacement of Dry Dock 3 at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickham (JBPHH). Authorizes $7 million for the construction of an aircraft maintenance hangar at Marine Corps Base Kaneohe Bay. Authorizes $10 million for the construction of missile magazines at JBPHH. Authorizes $57.9 million for the Bachelor Enlisted Quarters at Marine Corps Base Kaneohe Bay. Authorizes $40 million for the C-40 Aircraft Maintenance Hangar at Marine Corps Base Kaneohe Bay. Authorizes $29 million for the National Guard Readiness Center, Kalaeloa. Authorizes $89 million for the Air Force Research Laboratory, Maui Experimental Site. Authorizes $25 million for the Company Operations Facility, Schofield Barracks. Authorizes $33 million for Water System Upgrades at Fort Shafter. Authorizes $38 million for the Potable Water System at Tripler Army Medical Center. Authorizes a 4.6% salary increase for servicemembers. Strengthening Our Ability to Protect the Pacific Region Directs INDOPACOM to submit a report on the international agreements necessary to achieve the necessary force presence in the Pacific, and a plan for entering into those agreements. Directs the Secretary of the Navy to implement the Comptroller General’s recommendations to the Shipyard Improvement Optimization Plan (SIOP) to better understand anticipated costs of the program. Sets a floor of at least 31 amphibious assault ships in the U.S. fleet. Authorizes $436 million for INDOPACOM theater campaigning. Authorizes $19 million for the Pacific Multi-Domain Training and Experimentation Capability (PMTEC) to connect training ranges across the Pacific. Authorizes $2.4 million for INDOPACOM Pacific Movement Coordination Center to support collaboration and information sharing across the Pacific region. Authorizes $8 million for the Asia Pacific Regional Initiative (APRI) to strengthen the U.S. military’s relationships with Pacific region partners. Authorizes $250 million for LPD Flight II Advance Procurement to support the procurement of additional amphibious transport docks. Prioritizing Sustainability Requires DoD to transition fully to electric and other alternatively-fueled vehicles for its fleet of non-tactical vehicles by 2035, helping reduce the DoD’s reliance on fossil fuels. Authorizes $176 million for the Readiness and Environmental Protection Initiative (REPI) to make military installations more resilient to climate change and land use conversion. Authorizes $30 million to improve the reliability of the electrical grid at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam under the Energy Resilience and Conservation Investment Program (ERCIP). ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-elevated-in-senate-democratic-leadership-to-deputy-conference-secretary,Schatz Elevated In Senate Democratic Leadership To Deputy Conference Secretary,2022-12-08,2022,2022-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – The Senate Democratic Caucus today voted to elevate U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) to Deputy Conference Secretary, a new position within the Senate Democratic leadership team. Schatz was nominated for the new role by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.). In addition to the new leadership position, Schatz will retain his role as Chief Deputy Whip. “I’m honored to serve in this new leadership role,” said Senator Schatz. “We have more work to do in the Senate, and this new post puts me in a better position to help shape and defend our priorities. I look forward to working with Leader Schumer and our leadership team on building a stronger future for Hawai‘i and our country.” Winning more than 71 percent of the vote in Hawai‘i this year, Schatz was re-elected to the Senate in November with the largest margin of victory of any Senate candidate in 2022. “From the American Rescue Plan to bipartisan gun safety legislation, CHIPS and Science, Inflation Reduction Act, and more, the last two years have been about addressing the unprecedented challenges facing our country and where possible achieving bipartisan solutions. The American people have chosen progress and democracy, and our caucus will continue to provide the leadership necessary to provide relief to working families grappling with the health and economic aftereffects of the COVID crisis, worsening income inequality, and more. I look forward to leveraging the expertise of our diverse caucus, and as America confronts increasingly dark forces seeking to undermine the very roots of our democracy, it is all the more important that we never lose sight of what is important – improving the lives of American families,” said Leader Schumer. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://case.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1003,Case Announces Nominations To Nation's Service Academies For Incoming '23 Class,2022-12-07,2022,2022-12,Democrat,House,HI,Ed Case,C001055,case.house.gov,case,https://case.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27&Page=17,scraper,"(Honolulu, HI) - Congressman Ed Case (HI-01) today announced his 2023 nominations to three of our nation’s service academies: the U.S. Military Academy (West Point/Army); U.S. Naval Academy (Annapolis/Navy); and the U.S. Air Force Academy (Colorado Springs/Air Force). “I take my responsibility to nominate deserving applicants from my district to our legendary service academies very seriously, and personally interviewed all of my nominees before making my decisions,” said Case. “I was truly impressed with the applicants, and it was very encouraging and rewarding to have spent time with our next generation of military leaders.” Case named the following nominees to three service academies: United States Air Force Academy Ah Yo, Xavier (Punahou) Akiyama, Owen (Kamehameha) Gotsch, Kota (Kaiser) Hoskins, Harrison (Radford) Kimura, Jaren (Mililani) Kwak, Justin (Punahou) Martinez, Kyle Dominic (Leilehua) Tanioka, Mia (Iolani) Wadolowski, Jack (Kadena) Zaa, Logan (Kamehameha) United States Military Academy at West Point Ah Yo, Xavier (Punahou) Akiyama, Owen (Kamehameha) Benchoff, Jonathan (Radford) Ellazar, Ivan Oliver (Farrington) Henderson, Danielle (Moanalua) Hoskins, Harrison (Radford) Kwak, Justin (Punahou) Lee, Luke (Punahou) Tanaka, Steinar (Kaiser) Ushiroda, Kennedy (Roosevelt) United States Naval Academy Allman, Stanton (Radford) Durkin, Matias (Radford) Ellazar, Ivan Oliver (Farrington) Ines, Camden (Campbell) Kimura, Jaren (Mililani) Lentz, William (St. Louis) Matsuzaki, Corin (Punahou) Panganiban, Anthony Joseph (Maryknoll) Tanaka, Steinar (Kaiser) Wadolowski, Jack (Kadena) For the Class of 2023, Case interviewed 22 candidates from among nine public and five private schools. Members of Congress are authorized by law to nominate candidates to the four United States Service Academies (Case had no nominees this year for the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York). The Coast Guard Academy at New London, Connecticut does not require a Congressional nomination for appointment. Acceptance of an academy appointment requires at least a nine-year service obligation, including four years at an academy and at least five years of active duty service. For information on eligibility requirements and how hot seek an appointment for the 2024 entering class, please go to Congressman Ed Case’s web site at https://case.house.gov/services/service-academy-nominations.htm. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/biden-signs-hirono-led-legislation-to-protect-survivors-of-sexual-assault-and-harassment-into-law,Biden Signs Hirono-Led Legislation to Protect Survivors of Sexual Assault and Harassment Into Law,2022-12-07,2022,2022-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, President Joseph R. Biden signed the Speak Out Act into law, legislation co-led by Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY). This bipartisan, bicameral bill will limit the enforceability of non-disclosure agreements and non-disparagement agreements (NDAs) where a sexual harassment or sexual assault dispute arises and survivors wish to break their silence, and was also co-led by Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC). The bill passed the Senate unanimously in September and passed the House last month. The House companion bill was introduced by Representatives Lois Frankel (D-FL) and Ken Buck (R-CO). “Today, President Biden signed the Speak Out Act into law. Going forward, pre-dispute NDA's will no longer be able to silence survivors of sexual assault or harassment. I'm proud we got this done,” said Senator Hirono. “I will continue working to help ensure all survivors get the protection and support they deserve.” Prior to the Speak Out Act, individuals and organizations could use NDAs to prevent survivors of sexual harassment or assault from speaking publicly about these incidents. The threat of legal retaliation created and enabled a culture of silence that allowed predators to continue their illegal conduct, while their victims were forced out of their careers and the workforce entirely. Specifically, the Speak Out Act will: Prohibit the use of predispute NDAs between employers and current, former, and prospective employees, as well as independent contractors; Prohibit the use of predispute NDAs between providers of goods and services and consumers, and; Allow States to enact additional protections beyond the Speak Out Act’s protections—setting a floor not a ceiling for restricting NDA enforceability. Video of Senator Hirono discussing the importance of the Speak Out Act at a Judiciary Committee hearing can be viewed here. Senator Hirono is a strong advocate for survivors of sexual assault and harassment, and consistently works to advance legislation to protect survivors. She cosponsored the bipartisan Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act, which prevents perpetrators from being able to push survivors of sexual harassment and assault into the secretive, biased process of forced arbitration, and was signed into law earlier this year. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-case-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-protect-coral-reefs-,"Hirono, Case Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Coral Reefs",2022-12-07,2022,2022-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, during National Corals Week, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Representative Ed Case (D-HI) introduced the Coral Reef Sustainability Through Innovation Act of 2022, bipartisan, bicameral legislation to help protect coral reef ecosystems in Hawaii and across the nation from increasing threats such as climate change, pollution, and direct damage from humans. The legislation directs the federal agencies that are members of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force to establish, individually or with one or more other agencies, a coral health prize competition in order to spur innovative solutions to preserve, sustain, and restore coral reef ecosystems at no additional cost to taxpayers. The text of the bill is also included in the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) released earlier today. “Coral reefs are vital to Hawaii’s environment, providing a rich habitat for marine life while helping to protect our coastlines and prevent flooding,” said Senator Hirono. “Decades of pollution and ocean warming caused by climate change have left corals in Hawaii and around the world at risk of extinction. As we work to protect and restore coral reef ecosystems, this legislation will help incentivize innovation and inspire creative solutions to protect coral reefs, at no cost to taxpayers. I’ll continue fighting to protect Hawaii’s coral reefs and all of our natural resources for generations to come.” “Healthy coral reef ecosystems provide the greatest biological diversity of all ecosystem types in the world,” said Congressman Case. “However, warmer-than-normal ocean temperatures are threatening their health and causing mass bleaching events, which cause corals to be more susceptible to disease and increase their chances of dying. Prize competitions that encourage public-private partnerships have an established record of jump-starting innovation to address our most complicated challenges. This measure will follow that model in determining the best solutions to the threats to our coral reef ecosystems and integrating them into our federal ocean management policy. ” Coral reefs play an important role in Hawaii’s maritime ecosystems, serving as a source of food, a place for recreation and tourism, and a source for coastal protection. A U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) study published in 2019 estimated the flood protection value of coral reefs in Hawaii alone at $836 million annually. Additionally, a study published by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in 2011 estimated the total economic value of Hawaii coral reefs to the American people to be $33.57 billion. However, pollution, overfishing, and rising ocean temperatures are threatening the health of coral reefs in Hawaii and around the world, as evidenced by an increase in the frequency and duration of global mass bleaching events in recent decades. Specifically, the Coral Reef Sustainability Through Innovation Act would amend the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 to include prize competitions. The legislation would allow any agency on the US Coral Reef Task Force to: Award competitive prizes to advance the ability to preserve, sustain, and restore coral reef ecosystems; use already appropriated money to fund prize purses; and work with private non-profits to contribute to prize purses and administer competitions. In addition to Sen. Hirono and Rep. Case, the bill is cosponsored by Sens. Tom Carper (D-DE), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Reps. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Debbie Wasserman Shultz (D-FL), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Jennifer Gonzalez Colon (R-PR). The full text of the bill is available here and a one-pager is available here. Senator Hirono has consistently advocated for protecting Hawaii’s environment and its rich biodiversity. Last month, she urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture to create a regional Climate Hub in Hawaii in order to help address the state’s unique climate challenges. In September, Senator Hirono introduced legislation to provide $55 million in federal funding to help combat Rapid Ohia Death (ROD) in Hawaii. In August, she helped pass the Inflation Reduction Act, which includes the largest investment in climate action in our nation’s history. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-legislation-to-help-domestic-violence-survivors-cut-ties-with-abusers-separate-from-shared-wireless-service-plans-signed-into-law,"Schatz Legislation To Help Domestic Violence Survivors Cut Ties With Abusers, Separate From Shared Wireless Service Plans Signed Into Law",2022-12-07,2022,2022-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, President Joe Biden signed the Safe Connections Act into law. The new law, authored by U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), will help survivors of domestic violence and other crimes cut ties with their abusers and separate from shared wireless service plans, which can be exploited to monitor, stalk, or control victims. “Giving domestic violence abusers control over their victims’ cell phones is a terrifying reality for many survivors. Right now there is no easy way out for these victims – they’re trapped in by contracts and hefty fees. Our new law will help survivors get out of these shared plans and help victims stay connected with their families and support networks,” said Senator Schatz. “This new law will help survivors of domestic violence regain their independence and free their communications from abusers’ control. It’s another important step toward ensuring all victims of domestic violence have the support they need and deserve,” said Senator Fischer. Survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, sexual assault, and human trafficking often face challenges when establishing independence from an abuser. These include financial insecurity and limited access to the communications tools essential to maintaining connections with family, social safety networks, employers, and support services. As survivors seek help and stabilize their lives, the Safe Connections Act will help them stay safe and connected by: Allowing survivors to separate a mobile phone line from any shared plan involving an abuser without penalties or other requirements. This includes lines of any dependents in their care; Requiring the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to initiate a rulemaking proceeding to seek comment on how to help survivors who separate from a shared plan enroll in the Lifeline Program for up to six-months as they become financially stable; and Requiring the FCC to establish rules that would ensure any calls or texts to hotlines do not appear on call logs. The Schatz-Fischer legislation was cosponsored by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.). The Safe Connections Act is supported by Access Now, the Clinic to End Tech Abuse at Cornell University, the Hawai‘i State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the International Justice Mission, the National Domestic Violence Hotline, Public Knowledge, RAINN, StrongHearts Helpline, Legal Momentum - the Women's Legal Defense and Education Fund, the National Network to End Domestic Violence, the Electronic Privacy Information Center, the Domestic Violence Action Center, the Center for Democracy and Technology, Polaris, and Electronic Frontier Foundation. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-colleagues-introduce-legislation-to-reauthorize-and-improve-the-small-business-development-centers-program,"Hirono, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Reauthorize and Improve the Small Business Development Centers Program",2022-12-02,2022,2022-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), member of the Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship, introduced the Small Business Development Centers Improvement Act of 2022. The legislation, led by Chairman Ben Cardin (D-MD), aims to reauthorize and improve the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) Program. “Small Business Development Centers provide much needed counseling and support to business owners and entrepreneurs in Hawaii and throughout the nation,” said Senator Hirono. “In 2021 alone, Hawaii SBDC helped small business owners create over 500 jobs and start more than 70 local businesses, strengthening our economy and our communities. SBDCs play an important role in providing the resources businesses need to succeed. As a member of the Senate Small Business Committee, I will continue working to support local businesses and entrepreneurs in Hawaii and across the country.” The Small Business Development Centers Improvement Act of 2022 will make a number of updates to the SBDC program, including requiring that the SBA provide annual reports to Congress on all entrepreneurial activities and the SBDC program, and requiring SBA to assess and report on their data collecting practices. It also prohibits entities other than institutions of higher education from receiving new grants under the program, allows centers to collect fees related to private partnerships or cosponsorships, authorizes centers to market their services directly to small businesses, and modifies provisions related to program funding, operations, data collection, and reporting. The SBDC program began in 1976 with one center at California State Polytechnic University. Today, the SBDC network is comprised of 62 lead centers, with nearly 1,000 outreach centers located nationwide – including centers on Kauai, Oahu, Maui, and Hawaii Island. A number of the lead centers are located at Minority Serving Institutions, including HBCUs, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions, and Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions. The SBDC program is SBA’s largest resource partner within the entrepreneurial development programs. The centers deliver professional business advice and training focused on strategic planning, business development, financial planning, and cash flow management to small business owners. SBDCs are uniquely effective in that they are closely integrated with the local community, and are familiar with the area’s unique challenges. In FY2021 the SBDC network served 643,144 unique clients, helped start 22,589 new businesses and supported over 2 million jobs. In addition to Senators Hirono and Cardin, the bill is cosponsored by Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chris Coons (D-DE), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH). It is also endorsed by America’s SBDC, a nationwide network of Small Business Development Centers. As a member of the Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship, Senator Hirono has worked to secure federal support for Hawaii’s small businesses. Last month, she visited small businesses in Kaimuki to meet with business owners and discuss how federal programs, including the Paycheck Protection Program, enabled them to remain in business through the COVID-19 pandemic. In August, she hosted SBA Administrator Isabella Guzman for a tour of organizations supporting small businesses and small businesses on Oahu. In September, she joined colleagues in introducing the Women’s Business Centers Improvement Act, legislation to reauthorize and improve SBA’s Women’s Business Center (WBC) Program, a national network of more than 140 centers that offer counseling, training, networking, workshops, technical assistance, and mentoring to entrepreneurs, including the Patsy T. Mink Center for Business & Leadership on Oahu. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/president-signs-schatz-bill-to-expand-marijuana-research-into-law,President Signs Schatz Bill To Expand Marijuana Research Into Law,2022-12-02,2022,2022-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, President Joe Biden signed the Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act into law. The new law, authored by U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), will expand research into marijuana-derived medications. The goal of the law is to facilitate research on marijuana and its potential health benefits. The Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act will accomplish this by streamlining the application process for scientific marijuana studies and removing existing barriers for researchers that frequently slow the research process. “The medical community agrees that we need more research to learn about marijuana’s potential health benefits,” said Senator Schatz. “Our new law will remove excessive barriers that make it difficult for researchers to study the effectiveness and safety of marijuana, and hopefully, give patients more treatment options.” In addition to Schatz, Feinstein, and Grassley, the Senate bill was cosponsored by U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska). Cannabis containing more than 0.3 percent delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (commonly known as THC) is currently classified as a Schedule I drug. As a result, medical research is subject to stringent regulations that have impeded progress. Few marijuana-derived products have been FDA-approved, and there is little available information about their interactions with other medications, appropriate doses or delivery mechanisms. The goal of the Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act is to ensure that research on CBD and other potentially beneficial marijuana-derived substances is based on sound science while also reducing regulatory barriers associated with conducting research on marijuana. The new law also requires the Department of Health and Human Services and the National Institutes of Health to submit a report to Congress on the potential harms and benefits of marijuana use. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-colleagues-introduce-bill-to-strengthen-protections-against-sexual-harassment-discrimination-in-education,"Hirono, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Strengthen Protections Against Sexual Harassment, Discrimination in Education",2022-12-01,2022,2022-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, introduced legislation with Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) to strengthen civil rights protections against harassment in schools. The Students’ Access to Freedom & Educational Rights Act (SAFER) Act would amend the burdensome standards for harassment lawsuits brought under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) and create additional protections for students who experience sex-based harassment. The SAFER Act aims to repair years of damage to Title IX, including actions by the Trump Administration to strip away many protections for student sexual assault survivors and court rulings that have increased the burden on young people seeking justice even as standards for workplace sexual assault lawsuits remain less onerous. “Fifty years ago, Title IX was signed into law to guarantee every student’s right to a quality, equitable education, regardless of their sex,” said Senator Hirono. “But despite the progress Title IX has created, too many students—especially LGBTQ+ students, pregnant and parenting students, students of color, and students with disabilities—are still deprived the full protections of the law. The SAFER Act will strengthen enforcement of Title IX at schools and create important protections for survivors of harassment and assault on campus. This legislation will move us closer to fulfilling our promise of ensuring every student can get the quality education they deserve.” Decades ago, Congress established strong protections against discrimination, including Title IX, which was originally sponsored by Rep. Patsy Mink of Hawaii, as well as Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin; Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits employment discrimination; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prohibits discrimination based on disability; and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, which prohibits age discrimination. Supreme Court rulings in Gebser v. Lago Vista Independent School District and Davis v. Monroe County Board of Education have created standards for Title IX sexual harassment lawsuits that increased the burden on the plaintiff. These standards have made it more difficult for students to be protected from sex-based harassment and have influenced other civil rights laws, making civil rights enforcement against discrimination on the basis of race, disability, and age more difficult as well. The SAFER Act would also require more transparency around Title IX religious exemptions, include a broader and more apt definition of sexual harassment and “sex,” allow the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights to levy fines against institutions for civil rights violations, require climate surveys in K-12 schools of students experiences with sex-based harassment, and create more requirements for Title IX coordinators and for trainings, with grant funding included. A one-page summary of the bill is available here. In addition to Senators Hirono and Casey, the SAFER Act is cosponsored by Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI). U.S. Representatives Jahana Hayes (D-CT), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), and Deborah Ross (D-NC) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives. The bill is supported by more than 70 organizations, including the National Women’s Law Center, Know Your IX, It’s On Us, Human Rights Campaign, and the National Disability Rights Network Senator Hirono is a strong advocate for survivors of sexual assault and harassment, and consistently works to advance legislation to protect survivors. Last month, the Speak Out Act, legislation co-led by Senator Hirono, passed through Congress and now heads to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law. The bill limits the enforceability of non-disclosure agreements and non-disparagement agreements (NDAs) where a sexual harassment or sexual assault dispute arises and survivors wish to break their silence. In September, she joined a letter applauding the Biden Administration’s push to further strengthen Title IX protections. That same month, Senator Hirono also introduced legislation to support survivors of sexual assault on college campuses. Earlier this year, she cosponsored the bipartisan Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act, which prevents perpetrators from being able to push survivors of sexual harassment and assault into the secretive, biased process of forced arbitration, and was signed into law earlier this year. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-announces-over-14-million-investment-in-public-health-infrastructure-in-hawaii,Hirono Announces Over $14 Million Investment in Public Health Infrastructure in Hawaii,2022-11-30,2022,2022-11,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) announced that the Hawaii State Department of Health will receive $14.4 million in federal funding to improve critical public health infrastructure throughout the state as part of the newly developed Public Health Infrastructure Grant Program. The grant program—which is supported in part by the American Rescue Plan—provides awards directly to state, local, and territorial health departments to support investments in public health workforce, infrastructure, and data modernization. “When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, our families, communities, and health care workers in Hawaii felt the devastating consequences of a historically underfunded, understaffed, and under resourced public health system,” said Senator Hirono. “Democrats in Congress passed the American Rescue Plan to not only help our communities respond to and recover from COVID-19, but to strengthen our nation’s public health infrastructure and better protect the populations they serve. These critical investments will help keep our communities safer now and ensure Hawaii is better prepared for future health crises.” “The COVID-19 pandemic cast a spotlight on the importance of public health—a system that is chronically underfunded and resource constrained,” said Cathy Ross, Deputy Director of the Hawaii State Department of Health. “This new federal funding will help the Department build stronger, more resilient public health infrastructure in Hawaii through investments in workforce, technology, core systems, and health equity. These investments will support healthier communities across the state.” Over the last decade, state and local public health programs have lost 20 percent of their workforce capacity. These programs are essential for preventing chronic diseases and protecting the nation from current and emerging public health threats. The grant—administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)—is the first of its kind, and provides flexible investment so jurisdictions can address their most pressing needs to support their unique public health infrastructure. This funding will help address the historic underinvestment in communities that are economically or socially marginalized, rural communities, and communities comprised of high-risk and underserved populations. In total, the CDC will award $3.2 billion to 107 public health departments throughout the country, $3 billion of which came from the American Rescue Plan. Specifically, the grant program supports investments in: Workforce: To recruit, retain, support, and train the public health workforce; Foundational capabilities: To strengthen systems, processes, and policies; Data modernization: To deploy scalable, flexible, and sustainable technologies. Senator Hirono has long worked to ensure Hawaii’s communities can access the health care they need. In 2020, she helped Community Health Centers across the state secure federal funding during the pandemic, and also helped secure CARES Act funding for the UH Systems to develop workforce training programs in the health care industry. Last month, during a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee hearing, Senator Hirono emphasized the need to address the strain caused by the shortage of health care workers in Hawaii and across the country. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/video-sen-hirono-to-va-native-hawaiians-should-never-be-deemed-an-afterthought,VIDEO: Sen. Hirono to VA: “Native Hawaiians Should Never Be Deemed An Afterthought”,2022-11-30,2022,2022-11,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today at a Senate Veterans Affairs Committee (SVAC) hearing about Native veterans, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono pressed officials at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to always include Native Hawaiian veterans when discussing and developing policies to better support Native veterans. Additionally, Senator Hirono questioned the VA officials on steps they are taking to address the disproportionately high levels of homelessness that Native Hawaiian veterans experience. During the hearing, Mark Upton, VA Deputy to the Deputy Under Secretary for Health, delivered testimony discussing the steps the VA is taking to support Native veterans—however he neglected to mention Native Hawaiians. Following his testimony, Senator Hirono stated, “As the Senator from Hawaii, I am very disappointed that your testimony neglected to mention Native Hawaiian veterans. As you know, like other Native communities, Native Hawaiians serve in our military at disproportionately high rates.” “I know the VA understands the importance of ensuring Native Hawaiian veterans are treated with the same concern as American Indian and Alaska Native veterans—especially following the Secretary’s recent trip to our state in October. But it is critical—given the historical lack of parity Native Hawaiians have received from the VA—that Native Hawaiian veterans are always included in our language and our policies.” “So, my main point is that Native Hawaiians should never be deemed an afterthought, and that when we talk about focusing on programs that support Native communities or Native veterans…I am asking that we need to always include Native Hawaiians when we start talking about all the things we are doing.” Despite serving in the military at a rate nearly 2.5 times higher than the national average, Native Hawaiian veterans continue to face barriers to accessing physical and mental health care, as well as disproportionately high rates of homelessness in Hawaii, making up the second largest share of homeless veterans experiencing homeless on Oahu. Senator Hirono asked officials, “Does VA have any strategies that specifically address Native Hawaiian veterans experiencing homelessness?” In addition to Mark Upton, Stephanie Birdwell, Director, VA Office of Tribal Government Relations; John Bell, Executive Director, Home Loan Guaranty Program, Veterans Benefits Administration; Roselyn Tso, Director, Indian Health Service, Department of Health & Human Services; and Benjamin Smith, Deputy Director, Indian Health Service also attended the hearing. As a member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Senator Hirono has consistently worked to support veterans in Hawaii and across the country. In August, she helped pass the Honoring Our PACT Act—comprehensive, bipartisan legislation to expand VA health care for veterans with health conditions related to burn pit and Agent Orange exposure. In October, Senator Hirono also hosted a series of events—including a field hearing where she questioned U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough—focused on discussing the state of VA resources and programs in Hawaii. Last month, Senator Hirono announced that the VA awarded $1.5 million in federal funding to Hawaii to support veterans’ suicide prevention efforts. A link to download video of the Senator’s full question line is available here. A transcript of the full exchange is available below. Senator Hirono: Thank you Mr. chairman, Dr. Upton, and the rest of our panel. Thank you very much for joining us today to discuss issues facing Native veterans. As a Senator from Hawaii, I am very disappointed, Dr. Upton, that your testimony neglected to mention Native Hawaiian veterans. As you know, like other Native communities, Native Hawaiians serve our military at disproportionately higher rates. I know the VA understands the importance of ensuring Native Hawaiian veterans are treated with the same concern as American Indians and Alaska Native veterans, especially following the Secretary’s recent visit to our state in October for a field hearing. But it is critical, given the historical lack of parity Native Hawaiians have received from the VA that Native Hawaiian veterans are included in our language and policies. Would you be willing to correct the record to include Native Hawaiians in your testimony, and to show how you are engaging with Native Hawaiians as a part of the Native American veteran community? Dr. Upton: Thank you Senator, and I appreciate the acknowledgement of our Native Hawaiian veterans, who are so important and important in our veteran population. As noted in our testimony, they’re an important part of our Tribal Advisory Committee, and I really appreciate that voice being on the group that advises our Secretary. In talking with our region of VAs that works very closely with the team in Hawaii, I know that they are taking the work with our Native veterans very seriously, working on efforts with the University of Hawaii, as well as other outreach to the population there. We certainly welcome the impact and input on how to do better and to continue those partnerships. Senator Hirono: So, my main point is that Native Hawaiians should never be deemed an afterthought, and that when we talk about focusing on programs that support Native communities or Native veterans, that would be three large groups of Native peoples, and you know who they are. So, I am asking that we need to always include Native Hawaiians when we start talking about all the things we are doing. I am aware there are specific programs that support Native Hawaiians. So, like other Native communities, Native Hawaiians veterans have long experienced significantly more challenges in accessing resources, an issue that former Chairman Akaka, Senator Dan Akaka from Hawaii who chaired this committee, fought to fix for years, and one that I am committed to as well. VA’s own 2021 National Veteran Health Equity Chartbook on Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander veterans reported that Native Hawaiian veterans often expressed more issues with care as compared to white veterans. It is clear that the VA needs to increase its understanding of Native Hawaiian culture, outreach to Native Hawaiian the community, and build ties with organizations trusted by the community to ensure Native Hawaiian veterans receive the care they deserve. And I have greatly appreciated the VA’s partnership on issues important to veterans in Hawaii. We have a lot of veterans in Hawaii, a big group of them are Native Hawaiians, including, of course as I mentioned in Secretary McDonough’s visit to Hawaii this year. But it is clear that the VA still has serious work to do to better support Native Hawaiian veterans, and I hope that we can continue working together to ensure Native Hawaiians veterans are getting the care and benefits they earned through their service to our country. And this really requires in many cases, very different ways of outreach to this community. It requires understanding of the Native Hawaiian veteran community. I realize you do have a person who sits on your advisory group, and I will be talking with him as to what more support we can provide. I have a question about homelessness in the time I have left. The homelessness among veterans is a huge issue for the VA. And at one point, one of our Secretaries said that eliminating homelessness among veterans was his top priority. Clearly that is still an issue. So, we are talking about the 2022 Point in Time Count showed that Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders make up the second largest share of homeless veterans on islands. And that veterans overall have twice as many health conditions as compared to the broader population, included in the PIT count. In your testimony, you mentioned VA’s toolkit to provide “background, planning, resources, and programmatic options for organizations, interested in finding solutions for homelessness among native veterans” and this too, again, does not mention Native Hawaiian veterans at all. Does the VA have any strategies that specifically address Native Hawaiian veterans experiencing homelessness, and if so, do these strategies integrate Native Hawaiian cultural practices and norms? Dr. Upton: Thank you Senator, and please know I take all of that feedback very seriously. I do not know offhand about specific programs impacting homelessness for Native Hawaiians, but I will absolutely take that for the record and we will follow up with you. Senator Hirono: Thank you, so, homelessness, as well as so many other health issues, including mental health issues and suicide, the Native Hawaiians veteran groups experiences much higher rates than the larger populations. So, Mr. Chairman, thank you for your indulgence, I’m a little over time but clearly, we have work to do. Thank you. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-hawaii-to-receive-more-than-5-million-to-provide-high-speed-internet-access-to-more-people-across-the-state,Schatz: Hawai‘i To Receive More Than $5 Million To Provide High-Speed Internet Access To More People Across The State,2022-11-30,2022,2022-11,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today announced that Hawai‘i will receive $5.6 million in new federal funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce to expand high-speed internet access in unserved and underserved communities. “Everyone in Hawai‘i should have access to high-speed internet,” said Senator Schatz, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “This funding will allow us to expand broadband infrastructure across the state, and help make sure families and small businesses can get affordable, dependable broadband service.” The funding comes from the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, which expands high-speed internet though planning, infrastructure deployment, and adoption programs. The first phase of the BEAD Program will support a dedicated broadband office, employee training, technical assistance, and outreach for the program to encourage community engagement, determine eligibility, and ensure successful implementation. The BEAD Program was created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, legislation signed into law by President Biden last November that will bring at least $2.8 billion to Hawai‘i for infrastructure improvements. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-leads-group-of-7-senators-urging-president-biden-to-commute-native-american-activist-leonard-peltiers-sentence,Schatz Leads Group Of 7 Senators Urging President Biden To Commute Native American Activist Leonard Peltier’s Sentence,2022-11-30,2022,2022-11,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, renewed efforts to urge President Joe Biden to commute the sentence of Leonard Peltier, a Native American activist convicted of murder in 1977 following a controversial investigation and trial, which many civil rights leaders and legal experts have called unjust, including the U.S. Attorney who prosecuted the case. The new letter follows Schatz’s call for clemency in January. In addition to Schatz, the letter is signed by U.S. Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.). In their letter to the president, the senators cite Peltier’s advanced age, illness, and the growing concerns of misconduct and injustice around his arrest and prosecution. “Mr. Peltier has spent more than half of his life behind bars. Now, at seventy-seven years old, he suffers from numerous health conditions, including a potentially fatal abdominal aortic aneurysm,” the senators wrote. “We urge you to grant clemency to Mr. Peltier by commuting the remainder of his sentence. Mr. Peltier’s continued imprisonment defies the promises of justice, and the power to exercise mercy in this case lies solely within your discretion.” The full text of the letter can be found below and is available here. Dear President Biden: We write to request that you grant clemency to Native American rights activist Leonard Peltier by commuting the remainder of his sentence. Mr. Peltier has spent more than half of his life behind bars. Now, at seventy-seven years old, he suffers from numerous health conditions, including a potentially fatal abdominal aortic aneurysm. Over the past several decades, clemency for Mr. Peltier has received sweeping support from many faith and human rights leaders, including Pope Francis, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, Saint Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela, the Dalai Lama, and Coretta Scott King. Each have articulated the moral imperative of granting Mr. Peltier clemency. Moreover, mounting evidence of clear misconduct has warranted outcry from the very officials who put Mr. Peltier behind bars. James H. Reynolds, the U.S. Attorney who oversaw Mr. Peltier’s prosecution on appeal, stated that “the prosecution and continued incarceration of Mr. Peltier was and is unjust.” The late Judge Gerald Heaney, who presided over Mr. Peltier’s 1986 appeal in the Eighth Circuit, also called for the commutation of Mr. Peltier’s sentence in a powerful letter that detailed the injustice of Mr. Peltier’s trial and proclaimed that “a healing process must begin.” We commend the steps that your administration has taken to right past wrongs of our government’s treatment of Native Americans, particularly through Secretary Haaland’s leadership and her Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative. Furthermore, your administration has demonstrated a laudable commitment to upholding the core American values of liberty and justice, and rectifying inequities in the criminal justice system. Consistent with these actions, we urge you to grant clemency to Mr. Peltier by commuting the remainder of his sentence. Mr. Peltier’s continued imprisonment defies the promises of justice, and the power to exercise mercy in this case lies solely within your discretion. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-colleagues-urge-president-biden-to-commute-native-american-activist-leonard-peltiers-sentence,"Hirono, Colleagues Urge President Biden to Commute Native American Activist Leonard Peltier’s Sentence",2022-11-29,2022,2022-11,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined six of her Senate colleagues in urging President Joe Biden to commute the sentence of Leonard Peltier, a Native American activist convicted of murder in 1977 following a controversial investigation and trial, which many civil rights leaders and legal experts have called unjust, including the U.S. Attorney who prosecuted the case. The letter, led by Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI), is also signed by Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ed Markey (D-MA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Tina Smith (D-MN). In their letter to the president, the senators cite Peltier’s advanced age, illness, and the growing concerns of misconduct and injustice around his arrest and prosecution. “Mr. Peltier has spent more than half of his life behind bars. Now, at seventy-seven years old, he suffers from numerous health conditions, including a potentially fatal abdominal aortic aneurysm,” the senators wrote. “We urge you to grant clemency to Mr. Peltier by commuting the remainder of his sentence. Mr. Peltier’s continued imprisonment defies the promises of justice, and the power to exercise mercy in this case lies solely within your discretion.” The letter follows an earlier letter Senator Hirono sent to President Biden in May similarly urging him to commute Peltier’s sentence. The full text of the letter is available here and below. Dear President Biden: We write to request that you grant clemency to Native American rights activist Leonard Peltier by commuting the remainder of his sentence. Mr. Peltier has spent more than half of his life behind bars. Now, at seventy-seven years old, he suffers from numerous health conditions, including a potentially fatal abdominal aortic aneurysm. Over the past several decades, clemency for Mr. Peltier has received sweeping support from many faith and human rights leaders, including Pope Francis, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, Saint Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela, the Dalai Lama, and Coretta Scott King. Each have articulated the moral imperative of granting Mr. Peltier clemency. Moreover, mounting evidence of clear misconduct has warranted outcry from the very officials who put Mr. Peltier behind bars. James H. Reynolds, the U.S. Attorney who oversaw Mr. Peltier’s prosecution on appeal, stated that “the prosecution and continued incarceration of Mr. Peltier was and is unjust.” The late Judge Gerald Heaney, who presided over Mr. Peltier’s 1986 appeal in the Eighth Circuit, also called for the commutation of Mr. Peltier’s sentence in a powerful letter that detailed the injustice of Mr. Peltier’s trial and proclaimed that “a healing process must begin.” We commend the steps that your administration has taken to right past wrongs of our government’s treatment of Native Americans, particularly through Secretary Haaland’s leadership and her Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative. Furthermore, your administration has demonstrated a laudable commitment to upholding the core American values of liberty and justice, and rectifying inequities in the criminal justice system. Consistent with these actions, we urge you to grant clemency to Mr. Peltier by commuting the remainder of his sentence. Mr. Peltier’s continued imprisonment defies the promises of justice, and the power to exercise mercy in this case lies solely within your discretion. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-statement-on-senate-passage-of-respect-for-marriage-act-,Hirono Statement on Senate Passage of Respect for Marriage Act,2022-11-29,2022,2022-11,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) voted to pass the Respect for Marriage Act, bipartisan, bicameral legislation that she cosponsored to protect marriage equality in federal law, which passed the Senate by a vote of 61-36. The amended House bill must now be voted on again by the U.S. House before being sent to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law. “When the right-wing Supreme Court eliminated the constitutional right to reproductive freedom, it became clear that this was not the end of possible assaults on our fundamental rights and freedoms, including the right to marry who you love,” said Senator Hirono. “With this MAGA Court’s sights on our constitutional rights, I’m glad the Senate came together in a bipartisan manner to pass the Respect for Marriage Act. This critical legislation will give couples in same-sex and interracial marriages peace of mind that their unions will be protected at the federal level.” Specifically, the Respect for Marriage Act would: Require the federal government to recognize a marriage between two individuals if the marriage was valid in the state where it was performed; and Guarantee that valid marriages between two individuals are given full faith and credit, regardless of the couple’s sex, race, ethnicity, or national origin, but the bill would not require a State to issue a marriage license contrary to state law. The House companion bill was introduced by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus Chairman David Cicilline (D-RI). A previous version of the bill passed the House on July 19 by a vote of 267 to 157, with 47 Republicans voting in favor. Senator Hirono has been a consistent champion for LGBTQ+ rights. Earlier this year, she introduced a resolution recognizing June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month and took to the Senate floor to block Senate Republicans’ attempt to pass anti-transgender legislation to ban trans women and girls from participating in sports consistent with their gender. In March, Senator Hirono also introduced a resolution with her Senate colleagues recognizing International Transgender Day of Visibility. She is also a sponsor of the Equality Act, legislation which would extend federal civil rights protections to LGBTQ+ individuals. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-provisions-to-improve-volcanic-warning-system-protect-coral-reefs-included-in-defense-authorization-bill,"Schatz Provisions To Improve Volcanic Warning System, Protect Coral Reefs Included In Defense Authorization Bill",2022-11-27,2022,2022-11,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today secured the inclusion of several provisions to the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), including measures to protect coral reefs, improve the nation’s volcanic warning system, and stop the cruel practice of killing sharks for their fins. The final NDAA bill includes the bipartisan Restoring Resilient Reefs Act which was authored by Schatz and U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.). The landmark bill increases authorizations for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Coral Reef Program from $16 million to $45 million annually. It also authorizes a state block grant program for $12 million annually to support state efforts to manage and restore coral reefs, and $4.5 million annually for Pacific and Atlantic coral reef cooperative institutes. The provision’s inclusion in NDAA is a major step forward for coral reef stewardship. “Our coral reefs have been pushed to the brink of extinction, and we need to act now to save them,” said Senator Schatz. “Our legislation will put federal funding in the hands of states and territories to manage and restore the coral reefs that our communities, oceans, and coasts depend on.” Schatz also authored the Volcanic Ash and Fumes Act and secured its inclusion into NDAA. The bipartisan bill updates the U.S. Geological Survey’s National Volcanic Early Warning System by requiring NOAA to share volcanic gas and ash dispersal models to be incorporated into the warning system, keeping responders, residents, and aviation safe during volcanic eruptions and their aftermath. Schatz continued, “Hawai‘i has six active volcanoes, including Mauna Loa and Kīlauea. As we all know in Hawai‘i, volcanic eruptions can be a real danger, so improving our warning systems can make a difference in keeping people safe. Our bipartisan bill is a common-sense step to make sure the agencies tracking volcanoes have all available data to respond to threats on land, in the sea, and in the sky, and better protect families in our state.” The bill also includes a provision cosponsored by Senator Schatz, which will ban the buying and selling of shark fins in the United States and protect sharks from finning, the brutal practice of slicing fins off of live sharks and throwing the remainder of the animal back into the ocean to drown, starve, or die a slow death. Schatz led the effort to include the provision when the bill passed out of the Commerce Committee. “Finning is cruel, and it’s crushing the global shark population, which is critical to our oceans and marine ecosystem,” said Senator Schatz. “I’m glad we were able to move this bill one step closer to becoming law so that we can protect more sharks from this brutal practice.” The NDAA bill also includes Schatz-Thune legislation to improve weather forecasting. The Learning Excellence and Good Examples from New Developers (LEGEND) Act will require NOAA to make certain operational models publicly available and utilize any innovations to improve the models that are developed as a result of public collaboration. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/photos-and-video-ahead-of-small-business-saturday-hirono-visits-kaimuki-small-businesses,"PHOTOS & VIDEO: Ahead of Small Business Saturday, Hirono Visits Kaimuki Small Businesses",2022-11-25,2022,2022-11,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"HONOLULU, HI – Ahead of Small Business Saturday, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, visited small businesses in Kaimuki to meet with business owners and discuss how federal programs, including the Paycheck Protection Program, enabled them to remain in business through the COVID-19 pandemic. Senator Hirono was joined on the tour by Jordan Lee and Summer Shiigi, Kaimuki small business owners and cofounders of “Keep It Kaimuki,” a community-based business network of small businesses founded in 2017 to showcase the diversity of the Kaimuki neighborhood and its businesses. “From bookshops, to cafés, to pet stores, and so much more, small businesses like those I visited today are critical to Hawaii’s economy and the communities they serve,” said Senator Hirono. “I enjoyed learning more about these businesses and the wide array of goods and services they offer, and hearing from business owners about how federal programs helped them weather the pandemic. As we enter the holiday season, I encourage everyone to shop local and support small businesses in their own neighborhoods.” During the visit, Senator Hirono toured several local businesses, including: Coffee Talk, a café offering a variety of specialty coffee and tea beverages that received PPP funding; da Shop, an independent community bookstore that features many local authors in addition to national bestsellers, cookbooks, and children’s books, and also received PPP funding; Bead It, a bead store founded in 1992 that received PPP funding; Keep It Simple, a zero-waste store with additional locations in Waikiki and Kapolei that allows customers to bring reusable containers to fill up with things like laundry detergent, body wash, and hand soap; and Nana Ai Katsu, a katsu restaurant that opened in Kaimuki in December 2021 as take-out only and started in-person dining earlier this month. Video of the Senator speaking with business owners is available to download here. Saturday, November 26, 2022 is Small Business Saturday. Founded by American Express in 2010 and officially cosponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) since 2011, Small Business Saturday encourages people across the country to shop local and support small businesses in their communities. According to the 2021 Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey, spending at independent retailers and restaurants on Small Business Saturday reached an estimated $23.3 billion in 2021. As a member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Senator Hirono has worked to secure federal support for Hawaii’s small businesses throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. In August, she hosted the U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Isabella Guzman for a tour of organizations supporting small businesses and small businesses on Oahu. More recently, in September, she joined colleagues in introducing the Women’s Business Centers Improvement Act, legislation to reauthorize and improve the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Women’s Business Center (WBC) Program, a national network of more than 140 centers that offer counseling, training, networking, workshops, technical assistance, and mentoring to entrepreneurs, including the Patsy T. Mink Center for Business & Leadership on Oahu. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-colleagues-call-for-postal-service-to-ramp-up-efforts-to-electrify-the-mail-delivery-fleet,"Hirono, Colleagues Call for Postal Service to Ramp Up Efforts to Electrify the Mail Delivery Fleet",2022-11-23,2022,2022-11,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined her colleagues in a letter, led by Senators Edward Markey (D-MA) and Tom Carper (D-DE), to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy and United States Postal Service (USPS) Board of Governors Chair Roman Martinez calling for USPS to dramatically increase mail delivery fleet electrification effort, an effort that would improve service on some 177,000 routes across the country. USPS estimates that the adoption of a fully electric fleet of Next Generation Delivery Vehicles (NGDV) would roughly triple reductions in greenhouse gas emissions compared to a fleet that is only 10 percent electric. “We urge USPS to use the $3 billion in new funding from the Inflation Reduction Act to further increase its vehicle electrification efforts and not merely spend the money on the 40-percent BEV commitment it had already made and had the resources to achieve,” wrote the lawmakers. “With Inflation Reduction Act funding, USPS should aim higher and strive for at least a 95-percent electric mail delivery fleet that will reduce dangerous greenhouse-gas emissions, help usher in an era of ubiquitous clean car technology, and protect and create high quality union jobs in the domestic EV supply chain by insisting that the workforce producing the fleet affords workers the opportunity to collectively bargain.” USPS received an additional $3 billion in funds from the Inflation Reduction Act to invest in battery electric vehicles (BEV) and supporting infrastructure. The lawmakers urge USPS to make a commitment to increase its fleet electrification commitment to 95 percent from 40 percent, leveraging the additional funding provided through the Inflation Reduction Act to not simply meet its previous commitment, but rather to make further progress towards a more ambitious benchmark. In the letter, the lawmakers also remind USPS that switching to BEVs would reduce air pollution in communities across the country. In addition to Senators Hirono, Markey, and Carper, the letter was also signed by Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Martin Heinrich (D-NM). The full text of the letter is available here. As Chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Energy, Senator Hirono is working to expand the presence of electric vehicles and speed the transition to clean, renewable energy in Hawaii and across the country. In August, she helped pass the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which includes $1 billion for EPA grants to states or municipalities to cover the incremental cost of purchasing heavy-duty vehicles, like school and transit buses and garbage trucks. Earlier this year, she convened an Energy Subcommittee hearing on lowering energy costs that featured testimony from the President and CEO of Kauai Island Utility Cooperative about the long-term cost-savings offered by renewable power and electric vehicles. In June, she introduced legislation to require the Department of Defense to transition its fleet of non-combat vehicles to electric vehicles. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/photos-and-video-hirono-meets-with-filipino-curriculum-project-student-leaders,PHOTOS & VIDEO: Hirono Meets with Filipino Curriculum Project Student Leaders,2022-11-23,2022,2022-11,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"HONOLULU, HI – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) met with student leaders of the Filipino Curriculum Project to discuss the project’s achievements and plans for the future. The Filipino Curriculum Project is working to create an elective course within the Hawaii Department of Education (HIDOE) that tells the history and contributions of Filipinos in Hawaii. “Hawaii’s rich diversity is central to our state’s history and culture, and it’s important that our keiki learn about all of the communities that comprise our unique state,” said Senator Hirono. “The Filipino community has made significant contributions in areas such as health care, education, the arts, business, military service, and more in Hawaii and across the country. Developing a curriculum that celebrates these contributions, as well as the rich history and culture of the Filipino community is long overdue. The students leading the Filipino Curriculum Project are a testament to the drive and dedication of the next generation, and I’m very encouraged by what they’re doing. I’ve asked for their feedback on my bill to expand AAPI history in our schools, and I look forward to continuing our dialogue.” The Filipino Curriculum Project is a collaboration between Hawaii students from public and private schools. The curriculum the group is developing will have four components: (1) Ethnic Identity; (2) Cultural Connection; (3) Historical Context; and (4) Filipinos in Hawaii. Thus far, the group has participated in curriculum workshops, met with leadership from the HIDOE, and engaged with State legislators to pass House Resolution 50 to implement a Filipino history, culture, and identity social studies course for high school students. Senator Hirono has long advocated on behalf of Asian Pacific Islander American communities in Hawaii, the U.S., and Pacific Island nations and territories. In May, she introduced a bill to promote the teaching of Asian Pacific American history for high school students and teachers who enroll in the U.S. Department of Education’s American History and Civics Academies programs. Senator Hirono also brought legislation to the Senator floor, that was signed into law by President Biden, establishing a commission to study the creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture. Additionally, for the last several years, she has led the Senate resolution recognizing May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-lawmakers-urge-fda-to-consider-steps-to-protect-and-expand-access-to-medication-abortion,"Hirono, Lawmakers Urge FDA to Consider Steps to Protect and Expand Access to Medication Abortion",2022-11-21,2022,2022-11,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined eight Senate Democrats in a letter, led by Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), to U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf encouraging the agency to defend Americans’ reproductive rights, and to consider steps to protect and expand access to medication abortion. “As states implement new restrictions, it is more important than ever that you take immediate steps to expand access to medication abortion,” wrote the lawmakers. “We encourage and support your efforts to protect access to abortion and reproductive rights across the nation.” In the letter, the lawmakers encourage FDA to finalize the updated Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) for medication abortion drug Mifepristone, consider lifting remaining medically unnecessary REMS restrictions, and work with drug sponsors to add a miscarriage management indication for Mifepristone taken with misoprostol. For over two decades, women have been safely and effectively using medication abortion—Mifepristone and Misoprostol—to terminate a pregnancy. The two medications, when taken together, significantly improve the management of early pregnancy loss and result in fewer complications. Yet, right-wing state legislatures across the country have passed laws banning the use of medication abortion, further stripping away women’s access to abortion care and undermining the FDA’s authority to protect the nation’s public health. Following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn nearly 50 years of precedent and repeal Roe v. Wade in July 2022, President Biden released an Executive Order to protect access to reproductive health care services. On August 26, 2022, HHS responded by publishing a report that included a recommendation to expand access to medication abortion through FDA finalization of updated REMS for Mifepristone “that have been found to be safe and effective.” In addition to Senators Hirono and Warren, the letter was also signed by Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Angus King (I-ME), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Ed Markey (D-MA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Brian Schatz (D-HI). The full text of the letter is available here. A long-time champion for abortion access, Senator Hirono is committed to protecting the fundamental right to abortion care for all. In August, she led a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services urging them to make medication abortion more easily accessible. Earlier this month, Senator Hirono released a report revealing the devastating consequences of state abortion bans and restrictions on women’s access to health care. In August, she also introduced the Let Doctors Provide Reproductive Health Care Act to protect doctors against Republicans’ non-stop attacks and ensure they can safely provide abortion care in states where it is still legal. In July, Senator Hirono introduced the Right to Contraception Act, as well as the Expanding Access to Family Planning Act, to protect access to critical reproductive health care services, like birth control, and cancer screenings. She also introduced the Freedom to Travel for Health Care Act of 2022, which clarifies that it is illegal for anti-choice states to limit travel for abortion services, and would empower impacted individuals to bring civil action against those who restrict a woman’s right to cross state lines to receive legal reproductive care. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/fighting-for-native-hawaiian-survivors-of-gender-based-violence,Fighting for Native Hawaiian Survivors of Gender-Based Violence,2022-11-18,2022,2022-11,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Aloha, This week, the Senate unanimously passed legislation I introduced to allow Native Hawaiian survivors of gender-based violence to access critical programs and resources provided by Congress through the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). My legislation makes an important change to VAWA to ensure Native Hawaiian organizations can actually serve the Native Hawaiian community. For decades, Congress has provided funding to organizations that support survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, sex trafficking, dating violence, and stalking through VAWA. Tragically, Native women across the country— including Native Hawaiian women—experience disproportionately high levels of sexual violence. This crisis is heartbreaking and demands action. To address the disproportionate violence against Native women, VAWA includes funding specifically for Native-serving non-profits, such as Native Hawaiian organizations. However, it excluded Native Hawaiian women from accessing these critical resources—which was unacceptable. Senator Hirono speaks about her legislation on the Senate floor. That’s why I’ve been fighting to update VAWA to include Native Hawaiians. My bill will enable Native Hawaiian organizations to actually serve the Native Hawaiian community and do even more in the fight to end sexual violence. I’m proud that the Senate unanimously passed this legislation and I'll keep fighting to get this bill passed in the House and signed into law. I have been a strong advocate and longstanding supporter of programs and resources that uplift survivors of sexual violence. In August, I pressed FBI Director Christopher Wray to strengthen its efforts to protect the Native Hawaiian community from sexual exploitation and emphasized the need for the FBI to include the Native Hawaiian community in its work to address the missing and murdered Indigenous people crisis and violence against Native communities. I will always fight to ensure the Native Hawaiian community has the resources they need in order to successfully implement initiatives and programs that continue to uplift the community. Mahalo, Mazie K. Hirono United States Senator",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-led-resolution-commemorating-50th-anniversary-of-hanalei-and-pearl-harbor-national-wildlife-refuges-unanimously-passes-in-senate,Hirono-Led Resolution Commemorating 50th Anniversary of Hanalei and Pearl Harbor National Wildlife Refuges Unanimously Passes in Senate,2022-11-18,2022,2022-11,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate passed a resolution introduced by Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, recognizing the 50th anniversaries of the establishment of Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge on Kauai and Pearl Harbor National Wildlife Refuge on Oahu. The resolution, which passed via unanimous consent, was also cosponsored by Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) and celebrates the two refuges while acknowledging the wonders of Hawaii’s eight other national wildlife refuges (NWR). The resolution also encourages people in Hawaii and across the country to learn about, support, and appreciate these refuges. “Hawaii’s national wildlife refuges play a crucial role in protecting many endangered species, such as the nene goose and the akoko plant,” said Senator Hirono. “The Hanalei and Pearl Harbor National Wildlife Refuges, along with Hawaii’s eight other NWRs, provide safe, protected spaces for various species, including fish, wildlife, and plants to flourish, while also allowing visitors to learn about different native species and the cultural history of each area. I’m glad the Senate unanimously passed my resolution recognizing the 50th anniversary of these important refuges, and I’ll continue working to support conservation efforts in Hawaii and across the country as we work to protect our environment for generations to come.” Established more than 100 years ago, the National Wildlife Refuge System aims to protect and conserve local wildlife and native species. Across the U.S., there are more than 560 National Wildlife Refuges, including ten in Hawaii, managed and administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Pearl Harbor National Wildlife Refuge was established on October 17, 1972 to mitigate the environmental impacts of the construction of the Honolulu International Airport Reef Runway. It protects some of the last remaining wetlands on Oahu and is home to threatened and endangered wildlife and plants, such as the Hawaiian stilt and the akoko. The Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge on Kauai was established on November 30, 1972 to aid in the recovery of threatened and endangered species, such as the nene (Hawaiian goose). It consists of 917 acres in Hanalei Valley, and provides an important habitat for a wide array of fish, wildlife, and plants. The full text of the resolution can be found here. As a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee, Senator Hirono has championed legislation to protect Hawaii’s environment, fish, wildlife, and plants. In September, she introduced legislation authorizing $55 million in federal funding over the next eleven years to support ongoing efforts to help combat Rapid Ohia Death in Hawaii. This past March, Senator Hirono also introduced a bipartisan resolution designating April 2022 as “National Native Plant Month,” recognizing the importance of native plants to environmental conservation and restoration, as well as in supporting a diversity of wildlife. In April 2021, she also announced that the Kona Soil and Water Conservation District was one of the projects to receive federal funding to boost biodiversity and support wildlife habitats. Earlier that year, Senator Hirono joined the other members of the Hawaii delegation in introducing legislation to assess the potential for Hawaii lands to be declared a national forest. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/video-senate-unanimously-passes-hirono-legislation-to-support-native-hawaiian-survivors-of-gender-based-violence-,VIDEO: Senate Unanimously Passes Hirono Legislation to Support Native Hawaiian Survivors of Gender-Based Violence,2022-11-18,2022,2022-11,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate unanimously passed legislation introduced by U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) to allow Native Hawaiian survivors of gender-based violence to access critical programs and resources provided by Congress through the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). The reauthorization of VAWA—which was signed into law in March, 2022—provides funding to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, sex-trafficking, dating violence and stalking. Senator Hirono’s legislation amends the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) to ensure Native Hawaiian organizations can actually serve the Native Hawaiian community. Native women across the country—including American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women—experience disproportionately high levels of sexual violence. Therefore, VAWA includes Services, Training, Officers Prosecutors (STOP) grants to provide funding for eligible Native-serving non-profits, including Native Hawaiian organizations, to help combat sexual violence and support survivors. However, because of how the law was written, while Native Hawaiian organizations are able to apply for STOP grant funding, they cannot use the funds to actually serve the Native Hawaiian community. As a result, Native Hawaiian women have been unable to access critical resources included in VAWA. “For decades, Congress has provided funding to organizations that support survivors of gender-based violence through the Violence Against Women Act. This funding is critical to support all women, including Native women who experience disproportionately high levels of sexual violence. However, Native Hawaiian women have been excluded from accessing these much-needed resources,” said Senator Hirono. “Today, I’m proud that the Senate unanimously passed my legislation to amend VAWA to ensure that Native Hawaiian organizations can actually serve the Native Hawaiian community. This bill will allow Native Hawaiian survivors to get the support they deserve, and will enable Native Hawaiian organizations to do even more in the fight to end sexual violence.” According to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, more than two-thirds of sex trafficking victims in Hawaii are Native Hawaiian women and girls, and 37% of reported child sex trafficking cases in Hawaii are Native Hawaiian. Senator Hirono has been a vocal advocate for the Native Hawaiian community and efforts to combat violence against Native Hawaiians. In August, she pressed FBI Director Christopher Wray to do more to protect the Native Hawaiian community from sexual exploitation at a full Judiciary Committee hearing and emphasized the need for the FBI to include the Native Hawaiian community in its efforts to address the missing and murdered Indigenous people crisis and violence against Native communities. In May, she joined a resolution designating May 5th as National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Shortly before Senate passage, Senator Hirono spoke on the Senate floor in support of her legislation. The full text of her remarks is below and video is available here. Senator Rounds, I do not object to the substance of your bill. As a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, I am very much aware of the contributions made to our country by Native Americans, and certainly the Native American veterans. However, for a long time, I have been trying to get a very simple technical fix to the Violence Against Women Act that would allow Native Hawaiian organizations to serve Native Hawaiian women. As we all know, VAWA provides support to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, sex trafficking, dating violence and stalking. Tragically, Native women across the country—that would be Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiian, American Indian women—experience disproportionately higher levels of sexual violence. Which is why VAWA includes STOP grants to provide funding for eligible Native organizations—non-profits—including Native Hawaiian organizations to serve Native women. However, in spite of the fact that Native Hawaiian women are represented among the disproportionately high number of survivors of gender-based violence and sex-trafficking, and despite the fact that Native Hawaiian organizations are eligible for these grants, because of a drafting oversight, these Native Hawaiian organizations eligible for these grants cannot serve the Native Hawaiian community. It would likely shock many of my colleagues to learn about the gender-based violence and sex-trafficking numbers in Hawaii. And of sex trafficking survivors in Hawaii—over 70 percent are Native Hawaiian women and girls. But yet, Native Hawaiian organizations cannot actually serve Native Hawaiian women through these grants. By passing this simple technical fix, we can ensure that Native Hawaiian women can access the benefits and support included in this critical Violence Against Women Act. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-legislation-to-help-domestic-violence-survivors-cut-ties-with-abusers-separate-from-shared-wireless-service-plans-set-to-become-law,"Schatz Legislation To Help Domestic Violence Survivors Cut Ties With Abusers, Separate From Shared Wireless Service Plans Set To Become Law",2022-11-18,2022,2022-11,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed the Safe Connections Act. The bill, authored by U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), will help survivors of domestic violence and other crimes cut ties with their abusers and separate from shared wireless service plans, which can be exploited to monitor, stalk, or control victims. “Giving domestic violence abusers control over their victims’ cell phones is a terrifying reality for many survivors. Right now there is no easy way out for these victims – they’re trapped in by contracts and hefty fees. Our bill, which is now set to become law, will help survivors get out of these shared plans and help victims stay connected with their families and support networks,” said Senator Schatz. “This important legislation will help survivors of domestic violence regain their independence and free their communications from abusers’ control. I’m glad to see the Senate and House now have both passed our bipartisan bill with unanimous support, and I look forward to seeing it signed into law,” said Senator Fischer. Survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, sexual assault, and human trafficking often face challenges when establishing independence from an abuser. These include financial insecurity and limited access to the communications tools essential to maintaining connections with family, social safety networks, employers, and support services. As survivors seek help and stabilize their lives, the Safe Connections Act will help them stay safe and connected by: Allowing survivors to separate a mobile phone line from any shared plan involving an abuser without penalties or other requirements. This includes lines of any dependents in their care; Requiring the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to initiate a rulemaking proceeding to seek comment on how to help survivors who separate from a shared plan enroll in the Lifeline Program for up to six-months as they become financially stable; and Requiring the FCC to establish rules that would ensure any calls or texts to hotlines do not appear on call logs. The Schatz-Fischer legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.). “The National Domestic Violence Hotline (The Hotline) profoundly supports the passage of the Safe Connections Act. Survivors reaching out to The Hotline often share the devastating effects of abusive partners using phones and other devices to monitor, control, harass and stalk them. The ability to leave a shared phone contract while maintaining confidentiality will be an incredible and possibly lifesaving tool in a survivor’s journey to safety,” said Katie Ray-Jones, CEO of the National Domestic Violence Hotline. “Our work reveals how phones play an essential but complicated role in survivors’ lives. Survivors rely on communications technologies as a lifeline, but those same technologies can expose them to abuse. The Safe Connections Act carefully responds to this tension through important new protections for survivors,” said Professor Thomas Kadri of the Clinic to End Tech Abuse at Cornell University. The Safe Connections Act is supported by Access Now, the Clinic to End Tech Abuse at Cornell University, the Hawai‘i State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the International Justice Mission, the National Domestic Violence Hotline, Public Knowledge, RAINN, StrongHearts Helpline, Legal Momentum - the Women's Legal Defense and Education Fund, the National Network to End Domestic Violence, the Electronic Privacy Information Center, the Domestic Violence Action Center, the Center for Democracy and Technology, Polaris, and the Electronic Frontier Foundation. The bill now heads to the president’s desk to be signed into law. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-led-legislation-to-protect-survivors-of-sexual-assault-and-harassment-passes-house,Hirono-Led Legislation to Protect Survivors of Sexual Assault and Harassment Passes House,2022-11-16,2022,2022-11,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass the Speak Out Act, legislation co-led in the Senate by Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), by a vote of 315-109. The bipartisan, bicameral bill would limit the enforceability of non-disclosure agreements and non-disparagement agreements (NDAs) where a sexual harassment or sexual assault dispute arises and survivors wish to break their silence, and was also co-led by Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC). The bill passed the Senate unanimously in September and now heads to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law. The House companion bill was introduced by Representatives Lois Frankel (D-FL) and Ken Buck (R-CO). “For too long, NDAs have been weaponized to silence survivors of sexual abuse and misconduct,” said Senator Hirono. “The Speak Out Act takes a crucial step towards supporting survivors by limiting the enforceability of these NDAs and enabling states to enact other long overdue protections. I am grateful that the House has passed this important legislation and I look forward to seeing President Biden sign it into law as we continue working to help ensure all survivors get the protection and support they deserve.” Prior to the Speak Out Act, individuals and organizations could use NDAs to prevent survivors of sexual harassment or assault from speaking publicly about these incidents. The threat of legal retaliation created and enabled a culture of silence that allowed predators to continue their illegal conduct, while their victims were forced out of their careers and the workforce entirely. Specifically, the Speak Out Act will: Prohibit the use of predispute NDAs between employers and current, former, and prospective employees, as well as independent contractors; Prohibit the use of predispute NDAs between providers of goods and services and consumers, and; Allow States to enact additional protections beyond the Speak Out Act’s protections—setting a floor not a ceiling for restricting NDA enforceability. Senator Hirono is a strong advocate for survivors of sexual assault and harassment, and consistently works to advance legislation to protect survivors. She cosponsored the bipartisan Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act, which prevents perpetrators from being able to push survivors of sexual harassment and assault into the secretive, biased process of forced arbitration, and was signed into law earlier this year. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-statement-on-respect-for-marriage-act-cloture-vote,Hirono Statement on Respect for Marriage Act Cloture Vote,2022-11-16,2022,2022-11,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) voted to invoke cloture on the Respect for Marriage Act, bipartisan, bicameral legislation that she cosponsored to protect marriage equality in federal law. The legislation, which passed in the House in July, passed the major procedural cloture vote 62-37, all but ensuring it’s final passage in the Senate. “Nearly a decade ago, the Supreme Court affirmed marriage equality as the law of the land. But as the far-right majority on the Court works to eliminate fundamental rights, it is clear we must act to protect same-sex and interracial marriages. The Respect for Marriage Act will give same-sex and interracial couples the certainty that their marriage is, and always will be, legal—and I am proud to support this bipartisan legislation,” said Senator Hirono. “I look forward to voting on final Senate passage of this legislation, and I’ll continue fighting to ensure that every person in our country is treated with dignity and respect—regardless of their race, gender identity, sexual orientation, or religion.” Specifically, the Respect for Marriage Act would: Require the federal government to recognize a marriage between two individuals if the marriage was valid in the state where it was performed; and Guarantee that valid marriages between two individuals are given full faith and credit, regardless of the couple’s sex, race, ethnicity, or national origin, but the bill would not require a State to issue a marriage license contrary to state law. The House companion bill was introduced by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus Chairman David Cicilline (D-RI) and passed the House on July 19 by a vote of 267 to 157, with 47 Republicans voting in favor. Senator Hirono has been a consistent champion for LGBTQ+ rights. Earlier this year, she introduced a resolution recognizing June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month and took to the Senate floor to block Senate Republicans’ attempt to pass anti-transgender legislation to ban trans women and girls from participating in sports consistent with their gender. In March, Senator Hirono also introduced a resolution with her Senate colleagues recognizing International Transgender Day of Visibility. She is also a sponsor of the Equality Act, legislation which would extend federal civil rights protections to LGBTQ+ individuals. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/video-hirono-questions-va-leaders-about-red-hill-exposure-pact-act-implementation-during-va-committee-hearing,"VIDEO: Hirono Questions VA Leaders About Red Hill Exposure, PACT Act Implementation During VA Committee Hearing",2022-11-16,2022,2022-11,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, questioned a panel of leaders from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) about VA’s plans to support servicemembers impacted by fuel leaks at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility. During a full committee hearing, Senator Hirono asked Dr. Shereef Elnahal, VA Under Secretary for Health, and Dr. Patricia Hastings, VA’s Chief Consultant for Health Outcomes Military Exposures, about how the VA is preparing to care for servicemembers impacted by the Red Hill fuel leaks once they transition out of active duty “As we talk about loss of data, et cetera, and the need to coordinate between DoD and VA, these are thousands and thousands of people who were exposed to jet fuel leaks at Red Hill, and it occurs to us that there should be a way for some kind of tracking and tracing of the health issues attended to this exposure while they’re currently in active service, as well as, presumably, they’re going to become veterans,” said Senator Hirono. “So is this something that you’re already doing?” In response, Dr. Hastings confirmed that VA is working with the Department of Defense (DOD) to track those impacted by Red Hill. “Red Hill is one of the cohorts we are concerned with,” said Dr. Hastings. “There is a registry of those people who were exposed that DOD has. This is a cohort that we will follow into the future and this will be decades of following up. But that is what my office does routinely, we follow the cohorts, we look at health outcomes, we look at how to care for those veterans and their families.” Senator Hirono also asked about a component of the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act, legislation signed into law earlier this year to expand VA coverage to 3.5 million toxic-exposed veterans, directing the VA to research jet fuel exposure. “A provision in the PACT Act directs the Department to study the impacts of jet fuel exposure – like the exposure that occurred at Red Hill. So I assume that you are doing that, and I would welcome information about how that is going,” Senator Hirono continued. The Honoring Our PACT Act was signed into law by President Biden in August, and is the largest expansion of benefits for toxic-exposed veterans in over 30 years. Since the bill’s signing, over 136,000 PACT-related disability claims have been filed. VA has also launched a new toxic exposure screening at medical appointments, and has screened over 13,000 veterans. A link to download video of the Senator’s full question line is available here. As a member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Senator Hirono has consistently worked to support veterans in Hawaii and across the country. In August, she helped pass the Honoring Our PACT Act—comprehensive, bipartisan legislation to expand VA health care for veterans with health conditions related to burn pit and Agent Orange exposure. In October, Senator Hirono also hosted a series of events—including a field hearing where she questioned U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough—focused on discussing the state of VA resources and programs in Hawaii. Last month, Senator Hirono announced that the VA awarded $1.5 million in federal funding to Hawaii to support veterans’ suicide prevention efforts. Earlier this week, Senator Hirono led a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin demanding more information about the DOD’s support for families and individuals impacted by the Red Hill fuel leaks. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-announces-154-million-grant-to-protect-and-recover-at-risk-species-in-maui-county,Hirono Announces $1.54 Million Grant to Protect and Recover At-Risk Species in Maui County,2022-11-15,2022,2022-11,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee, announced that the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will receive $1.54 million in federal funding to implement the first stage of the Maui Landscape Conservation Plan to protect and recover at-risk species in Maui County. The project will prevent near-term imminent extinction of target plant species, expand horticultural expertise for propagation and reintroduction, and establish a state-wide survey and monitoring database for the more than 200 at-risk plants, invertebrates, water birds and sea birds on the islands of Maui, Molokai, and Lanai. The grant is made possible by the Biden-Harris Administration’s America the Beautiful Challenge (ATBC), which was funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law enacted last year, as well as other federal conservation programs and private sources. “The Maui Landscape Conservation Plan—and similar initiatives across the state—play a key role in protecting and preserving native at-risk plant and animal species that comprise Hawaii’s unique environment,” said Senator Hirono. “The funding from this grant will enable DLNR to continue its efforts to ensure that these species, along with other precious natural resources, are able to continue to play important roles in our native ecosystems for years to come.” Across the country, the ATBC is providing nearly $91 million in funding through 55 new grants that will support conservation projects in 42 states, three U.S. territories, and 14 Tribal Nations, generating a total conservation impact of about $141.7 million. ATBC grants support projects that conserve, restore, and connect habitats for wildlife while improving community resilience and access to nature. Overall, the projects are expected to: Improve or remove more than 250 miles of fence to benefit wildlife; Manage more than 130,000 acres of fire-dependent habitat; Remove or improve more than 57 barriers to fish and aquatic organism passage; Reconnect more than 1,300 miles of stream or river; Improve management of more than 26 million acres, including grasslands with bison to provide ecological, cultural, and spiritual healing; and Restore more than 1,900 acres of wetlands. The grant awards were made possible with funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, other federal conservation programs, and private sources. The ATBC is a partnership between National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and the Departments of Interior, Agriculture and Defense, along with Native Americans in Philanthropy. It also includes an emphasis on supporting Tribal access to grant funding for restoration, conservation and capacity-building, and seeks projects that incorporate indigenous traditional knowledge in planning and implementation. As a member of the ENR Committee, Senator Hirono has championed legislation to protect Hawaii’s environment, fish, wildlife, and plants. In September, she introduced legislation authorizing $55 million in federal funding over the next eleven years to support ongoing efforts to help combat Rapid Ohia Death in Hawaii, and led a resolution recognizing the 50th anniversaries of the establishment of Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge on Kauai and Pearl Harbor National Wildlife Refuge on Oahu. This past March, Senator Hirono also introduced a bipartisan resolution designating April 2022 as “National Native Plant Month,” recognizing the importance of native plants to environmental conservation and restoration, as well as in supporting a diversity of wildlife. Last year, she helped pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), which invests billions in climate mitigation, resilience, and safety, including a focus on cleaner and safer buses. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-gillibrand-demand-answers-on-defense-department-support-for-families-impacted-by-red-hill-fuel-leaks,"Hirono, Gillibrand Demand Answers on Defense Department Support for Families Impacted by Red Hill Fuel Leaks",2022-11-15,2022,2022-11,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Chair of the Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel, today sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin demanding information about the Department of Defense’s (DOD) support of families and individuals impacted by the November 2021 release of fuel from the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility on Oahu. In the letter, Hirono reiterates many of the concerns expressed by organizations representing the more than 93,000 individuals impacted by the fuel leak—including the risk of future medical conditions caused by past fuel exposure—and requests information about the Department’s efforts to ensure those impacted have the information, health care, and support they need to protect themselves and their families. “While the Navy and the Department of Defense (DoD) have taken important steps toward addressing the fuel release by remediating the water supplies, deciding to shut down and budget for the facility’s closure, and standing up a Joint Task Force (JTF) to steward the facility’s defueling, the community remains confused and frustrated,” write the lawmakers. “Many servicemembers, families, and community members have valid concerns and questions about how they will be compensated for the various impacts of the fuel release, how they can access adequate medical support, and how the military will address long term impacts from the fuel exposure, among many other issues. To date, these questions have no clear answers.” In the letter, the lawmakers ask for answers to a list of specific questions, including: What is the DoD doing to assure affected individuals of the validity and accuracy of the water samples used to clear their homes for return? How is information for individual homes and facilities being communicated to those living in or utilizing those water sources? What information is being provided to the affected individuals concerning the chemical breakdown of contaminants they ingested or used in the homes’ water? If the chemical breakdown is protected by national security interests, how is the Department providing adequate information to physicians to provide sufficient treatment to patients, particularly those with non-traditional responses to the contamination? What information is being provided to future tenants concerning a given home’s contamination history? Are there any homes that require further remediation, including but not limited to replacing fixtures that have been damaged or corroded due to having contaminated water in its system? Are tenants in affected homes being given the opportunity to permanently relocate without penalty? What current, supplemental, and long-term medical care is being provided to those who were affected or suspect they may have been affected by the fuel release, including both those who have access to TRICARE and those who do not? Is the DoD providing the same information and communication to individuals utilizing the impacted water systems regardless of whether they are military personnel, DOD civilians, DOD contractors, or have no affiliation with the military? Has the DoD considered providing personnel who assisted with the flushing process hazardous duty pay? What has the DoD done with regard to whistleblower policies related questioning the Department about the mishap and its response? “Public trust in the Navy and DoD in Hawaii has severely eroded. Public engagement and consideration of community voices in decision-making are critical for restoring trust,” the lawmakers continue. “As members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, it is of great importance to us to know what the DoD is doing to address the specific issues and concerns raised by organizations and families affected by the November fuel spill at Red Hill.” As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Hirono is working to protect families impacted by the Red Hill fuel leaks and ensure DOD has the resources it needs to prevent any future leaks as it works to permanently defuel and close the facility. In June, she secured several key provisions in the Senate markup of the FY2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) related to Red Hill, including language to authorize $1 billion in funding for the closure of Red Hill, direct DoD to appoint a single point of contact to lead the closure of Red Hill, and establish a water monitoring program at the facility. In April, she hosted the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee for a tour of Red Hill. The full text of the letter is below and can be viewed here. The Honorable Lloyd Austin? Secretary of Defense? 7300 Defense Pentagon? Washington, D.C.? 20301? ? Dear Secretary Austin,? We write today to express concerns regarding the ongoing plight of members of the Oahu community affected by the November 2021 release of fuel from the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility. We are requesting answers to a series of questions that will begin to bring some clarity to community members. While the Navy and the Department of Defense (DoD) have taken important steps toward addressing the fuel release by remediating the water supplies, deciding to shut down and budget for the facility’s closure, and standing up a Joint Task Force (JTF) to steward the facility’s defueling, the community remains confused and frustrated. Many servicemembers, families, and community members have valid concerns and questions about how they will be compensated for the various impacts of the fuel release, how they can access adequate medical support, and how the military will address long term impacts from the fuel exposure, among many other issues. To date, these questions have no clear answers. Organizations and representatives from among the over 93,000 affected residents continue to ask the Navy and DoD for transparency and accountability. Public trust in the Navy and DoD in Hawaii has severely eroded. Public engagement and consideration of community voices in decision-making are critical for restoring trust. As members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, it is of great importance to us to know what the DoD is doing to address the specific issues and concerns raised by organizations and families affected by the November fuel spill at Red Hill. It is imperative that the Department recognize that a one size fits all approach for all impacted will not work as jet fuel exposure does not impact all individuals in the same manner or to the same degree. Individuals may have unique medical responses from consuming and bathing in contaminated water. Their access to information and care may also vary depending on their relationship, or lack thereof, with the Department. We thereby ask you to provide answers to the following questions: What is the DoD doing to assure affected individuals of the validity and accuracy of the water samples used to clear their homes for return? How is information for individual homes and facilities being communicated to those living in or utilizing those water sources? What information is being provided to the affected individuals concerning the chemical breakdown of contaminants they ingested or used in the homes’ water? If the chemical breakdown is protected by national security interests, how is the Department providing adequate information to physicians to provide sufficient treatment to patients, particularly those with non-traditional responses to the contamination? What information is being provided to future tenants concerning a given home’s contamination history? Are there any homes that require further remediation, including but not limited to replacing fixtures that have been damaged or corroded due to having contaminated water in its system? Are tenants in affected homes being given the opportunity to permanently relocate without penalty? What current, supplemental, and long-term medical care is being provided to those who were affected or suspect they may have been affected by the fuel release, including both those who have access to TRICARE and those who do not? Is the DoD providing the same information and communication to individuals utilizing the impacted water systems regardless of whether they are military personnel, DOD civilians, DOD contractors, or have no affiliation with the military? Has the DoD considered providing personnel who assisted with the flushing process hazardous duty pay? What has the DoD done with regard to whistleblower policies related questioning the Department about the mishap and its response? ? Sincerely, ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-announces-13-million-awarded-to-hawaii-projects-aimed-at-strengthening-local-food-and-agricultural-systems,Hirono Announces $1.3 Million Awarded to Hawaii Projects Aimed at Strengthening Local Food & Agricultural Systems,2022-11-14,2022,2022-11,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service awarded nearly $1.3 million total to four projects in Hawaii to expand and strengthen local food systems, and increase the availability of locally grown agricultural products. The four recipient organizations are Common Ground Collective; Hawaii Good Food Alliance; Kokua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services; and the Olohana Foundation. “Promoting sustainability in our food and agricultural systems is important for our communities, our environment, and our economy,” said Senator Hirono. “This funding and these projects are crucial as Hawaii works to reduce our reliance on imported goods. I’ll continue working to help ensure our local farmers have the resources and support to widely distribute their goods, and communities can access healthy, fresh, locally grown produce.” The funding will be used to support four projects throughout the state. On Maui, Common Ground Collective (CGC) utilizes field work and research to create food security and economic opportunity for Maui communities. With this award, CGC will work to decrease Maui’s reliance on imported goods by enhancing the local food system, support local agricultural producers by providing distribution assistance to new local growers, and expand the capacity of local food businesses to contribute to the island’s regional food system and those in need. Based on Oahu, Hawaii Good Food Alliance is a diverse group of community leaders who share in the production, aggregation, and distribution of food to rebuild thriving community food systems. The Hawaii Food Hub Hui, in partnership with the Hawaii Good Food Alliance, aims to build individual and collective capacity in Hawaii’s food hubs to ensure maximum sales for small and mid-size local farmers and producers, while enabling equitable access to fresh, healthy local food for communities. The goal of this project is to increase local food sales via Hawaii’s food hubs. Also on Oahu, the Roots Food Hub Online project—operated by Kokua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services (KKV)—will create an online sales and marketing application to expand the Hub’s customer base and create new sales opportunities to support local farmers. The Roots Food Hub works with small and micro-producers to create a system that values local, cultural, and sustainable foods, while providing equal access to those foods. Currently, KKV purchases, stores, delivers, and retails goods from local producers. On Hawaii Island, the Olohana Foundation will collaborate with local fruit producers to create new products, which will be dispersed into the local food system via The Food Basket, Hawaii Island’s food bank, and the Hawaii Farm to Car farmers market. This project aims to increase profits for small farmers and enhance local capacity for aggregation, processing, and distribution of goods for Hawaii Island and beyond. The funding will be distributed through the Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP), grants which support local and regional food business enterprises that engage as intermediaries in indirect producer to consumer marketing. The awarded projects focus on activities such as supporting the processing, aggregation, distribution, and storage of local and regional food products; developing value-added products; and facilitating regional food chain coordination. LFPP is awarding $31.8 million in fiscal year 2022 funding to 94 projects. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-named-congressional-champion-for-children,Hirono Named Congressional “Champion for Children”,2022-11-14,2022,2022-11,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) has been named a 2022 Champion for Children by the bipartisan advocacy organization First Focus Campaign for Children. The distinction recognizes Senator Hirono’s leadership on issues including combatting childhood food insecurity, reforming the criminal justice system, and supporting immigrant children and families. “Every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential, and I’m working to help ensure they have the support they need to do so,” said Senator Hirono. “Senate Democrats have worked to provide advance monthly payments to families through the expanded Child Tax Credit, invest in our public schools, expand support for immigrant children and families, ensure every child has food to eat, and more. I’m honored to be named a Champion for Children, and I’ll keep fighting to support the health, safety, and education of our keiki in Hawaii and beyond.” First Focus Campaign for Children’s 2022 Legislative Scorecard ranks members of Congress according to votes and bill sponsorships taken during the 117th Congress that prioritize the well-being of children in the U.S. and around the world. The new report examines key pieces of legislation designed to reduce child poverty, protect unhoused children, aid those who lost caregivers to COVID-19, guard against environmental threats, ensure that children have enough to eat, and to address other issues critical to advancing the needs of all children everywhere. Just 20 members of the U.S. Senate, all Democrats, were named Champions for Children in the 117th Congress. Senator Hirono has been a consistent champion for children in Hawaii and across the country. Last year, Senator Hirono helped pass the American Rescue Plan, which included $430 million in federal funding for Hawaii’s public schools. In May, she reintroduced the LIFT the BAR Act to reinstate access to federal benefits including the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for immigrants, who currently must wait five years after entering the country before becoming eligible due to unjust policy enacted nearly 30 years ago. In June, Senator Hirono helped pass the Keep Kids Fed Act to extend funding and flexibility for schools and other programs that provide meals for children. In July, she called on the Biden Administration to address the specific barriers to accessing and affording formula that members of underserved communities faced. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/honoring-our-veterans,Honoring Our Veterans,2022-11-14,2022,2022-11,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Aloha, Last week, we celebrated Veterans Day, an opportunity to recognize the service, bravery, and commitment of our veterans, who sacrifice so much in defense of our nation. I was honored to join veterans from across Hawaii at the Punchbowl Veterans Memorial to thank them for their service. Senator Hirono with JROTC Cadets at the Punchbowl Veterans Day ceremony. As important as it is to thank our veterans, the most important thing we can do to honor their sacrifice is ensure they get the benefits they deserve. Over the past two years, Congress has made critical progress for veterans in Hawaii and across our country. Honoring Our PACT ACT We passed the Honoring Our PACT Act, which has expanded VA care for more than 3.5 million post-9/11 veterans who have been exposed to toxins during their service, helping more of our veterans get the health care they deserve. I’m glad to say that the PACT Act is already helping veterans in Hawaii. A Honolulu resident who submitted a VA claim prior to the law’s passage, was denied care. After the PACT Act was signed into law, his condition became covered by the VA, and my office was able to help get his claim granted. For more information about accessing PACT Act benefits, click here. Expanding Mental Health Care As we work to support the physical health of our veterans, we also have a duty to provide them with the mental health support they need. That’s why Congress also passed the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act, which has helped to increase mental health care resources for veterans and make it easier for them to access these resources. Akaka VA Clinic Here in Hawaii, we are advancing construction of the Daniel K. Akaka Outpatient VA clinic in Kapolei, a project I’ve been proud to champion in the Senate. Once completed, this clinic will provide important care for veterans not only on Oahu, but across Hawaii and the entire Pacific region. Senator Hirono tours the construction site of the Daniel K. Akaka VA Clinic in Kapolei. Welcoming Secretary McDonough Earlier this year, I welcomed VA Secretary Denis McDonough to Hawaii to hear directly from our veterans about their experiences and the unique challenges they face. During his visit, we reaffirmed our commitment to working together in order to build on the progress we’ve made and help ensure all of our veterans can access the benefits they’ve earned. Senator Hirono and VA Secretary Denis McDonough meet with student veterans at UH Manoa. As a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, I’m working to provide the VA with the resources they need to continue delivering for our veterans. I’ll keep fighting to ensure all of our veterans in Hawaii and their families receive the support they deserve. Mahalo, Mazie K. Hirono United States Senator",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-urges-usda-secretary-to-create-new-climate-hub-in-hawaii-to-address-unique-climate-challenges,Hirono Urges USDA Secretary to Create New Climate Hub in Hawaii to Address Unique Climate Challenges,2022-11-10,2022,2022-11,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack urging the USDA to establish a Climate Hub in Hawaii to better serve the state and the Pacific basin. Climate Hubs help agricultural producers with climate-informed decision making. Currently, there are 10 Climate Hubs across the country—Hawaii belongs to the Southwest Climate Hub located in New Mexico. However, Hawaii’s geography and climate-related challenges are unique from the continental U.S., meaning that the data and information generated by the Southwest Climate Hub are often not as applicable for producers and land managers in the state. “Understanding the unique challenges our producers and natural resource managers face as well as providing trusted information and tools requires frequent presence, engagement, and established relationships within local communities,” wrote Senator Hirono in the letter. “Establishing a hub in Hawaii would further the Climate Hubs’ goal of ensuring equity and environmental justice by focusing on the unique needs of our diverse, historically disadvantaged farmers and ranchers that have often been overlooked.” In her letter, Senator Hirono also invited Secretary Vilsack to visit Hawaii in order to witness, firsthand, the unique challenges that local producers and natural resource managers face, as well as learn more about the value a Climate Hub in Hawaii would provide to local communities. The USDA Climate Hubs are the product of collaboration across various USDA agencies. They are led and hosted by the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Forest Service (FS), with contributions from many agencies including the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Farm Service Agency (FSA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), and the Risk Management Agency (RMA). Their mission is to develop and deliver science-based, region-specific information and technologies, with USDA agencies and partners, to agricultural and natural resource managers that enable climate-informed decision-making, and to provide access to assistance to implement those decisions. The full text of the letter is available here and below. The Honorable Thomas J. Vilsack Secretary of Agriculture 1400 Independence Ave, SW Washington, D.C. 20250 Dear Secretary Vilsack: I am writing to request the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) consider establishing a climate hub in Hawaii to serve Hawaii and the Pacific basin. There are currently 10 regional hubs located across the continental United States and Puerto Rico, with Hawaii belonging to the Southwest Regional Hub located in New Mexico. Given the vast differences in climate considerations and agricultural practices between the Southwestern continental U.S. and Hawaii, combined with the growing impacts of climate change faced by our natural resource managers and agricultural producers, I ask that you consider establishing a new hub in Hawaii. The USDA Climate Hubs were formally established in 2014 under your leadership. They are led and hosted by the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Forest Service (FS) and include contributions by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Farm Service Agency (FSA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), and the Risk Management Agency (RMA). They also coordinate with other federal agencies such as the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), as well as university and non-profit partners. There are USDA facilities in Hawaii currently interested in hosting a new hub that are well-positioned to facilitate this kind of partnership between USDA, other federal agencies, and external partners. The mission of the USDA Climate Hubs is to “…develop and deliver science-based information and technologies to natural resource and agricultural managers: enabling climate-informed decision making, reducing agricultural risk, and building resilience to climate change.” Despite these hubs having been in existence for eight years, hub staff visitation to Hawaii has been sparse. Understanding the unique challenges our producers and natural resource managers face as well as providing trusted information and tools requires frequent presence, engagement, and established relationships within local communities. Having a hub physically located in the state would facilitate the establishment of trusted relationships necessary to ensure the success of the USDA Climate Hubs’ mission in Hawaii and the Pacific basin. Additionally, the Climate Hubs’ five-year strategic plan for 2020-2025 identifies three overarching strategic goals and notes that woven throughout those goals are the themes of equity and environmental justice. Hawaii is a majority-minority state, and a significant number of our agricultural producers are considered socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. Establishing a hub in Hawaii would further the Climate Hubs’ goal of ensuring equity and environmental justice by focusing on the unique needs of our diverse, historically disadvantaged farmers and ranchers that have often been overlooked. Finally, environmental and agricultural variables that exist in Hawaii and the Pacific basin vary greatly from those that are common throughout the Southwestern continental United States. For example, while wildfire is as much a concern in Hawaii as it is in the western continental United States, unlike the mainland, Hawaii native ecosystems are not wildfire adapted. This means that while wildfire is a key part of ecosystem functions in mainland forests, wildfire does not play a key role in native ecosystem functions across Hawaii and many Pacific islands. Additionally, Hawaii has diverse tropical cropping systems that include multiple growing seasons each year, the majority of which are on small farms. In contrast, farms in the Southwestern United States tend to be much larger, have one growing season, and include commodities such as corn, wheat, and cotton that are not grown in Hawaii and the Pacific basin. Having a Climate Hub physically located in Hawaii would allow a more acute focus on the unique challenges that our agricultural producers and natural resource managers face and in turn, would better facilitate delivery of information and tools tailored to our unique adaptation needs. A number of local agricultural and natural resource stakeholders support establishing a USDA Climate Hub in Hawaii. I appreciate your consideration of this request and invite you to visit Hawaii to see the unique challenges that our producers and natural resource managers face and learn more about the value that a USDA Climate Hub in Hawaii would provide to our local communities. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/photos-and-video-hirono-visits-uh-west-oahu-to-discuss-programs-supporting-underrepresented-students,PHOTOS & VIDEO: Hirono Visits UH West Oahu to Discuss Programs Supporting Underrepresented Students,2022-11-10,2022,2022-11,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"HONOLULU, HI –Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) visited the University of Hawaii West Oahu (UHWO) to meet with university staff and learn about programs offered at the University to support underrepresented students, including Native Hawaiians. During her visit, Senator Hirono learned about their Center for Labor Education and Research (CLEAR), Early College Program, and programs for Native Hawaiian students. UHWO received approximately $15.5 million in CARES Act funds and other disaster relief bills. “I enjoyed the chance to meet with students on the beautiful UH West Oahu campus to hear about what they’re learning and how federal grants are helping many of them attend college,” said Senator Hirono. “Many of these students are the first in their families to attend college, and with support from federal funding, UHWO is helping them to expand their horizons and reach their full potential. I will continue working to support Hawaii’s colleges and universities, and the students they serve.” Direct-to-camera video of the Senator discussing her visit, along with b-roll of the Senator speaking with students at the University, is available to download here. CLEAR is designed to provide labor education, research, and labor-related programs to workers, their organizations, and the general public. The UHWO Early College High School Program Consortium works with the UH System partners to provide educational opportunities to schools who serve college students who come from largely underrepresented backgrounds in higher education. As an Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institution (ANNHSI), UHWO has also received funding from this program in order to expand their capacity to serve these students. Senator Hirono is a longstanding champion of programs that support underrepresented members of our community, particularly Hawaii’s indigenous, Native Hawaiian community. She has consistently advocated for programs that increase the number of low-income students prepared to attend college, and has strongly advocated for the Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institution (ANNHSI) program, which provides grants for institutions with large numbers of Alaska Native of Native Hawaiian students. Earlier this year, Senator Hirono led a letter calling for strong funding for the ANNHSI program and other programs that support Minority-Serving Institutions. Photos of the Senator’s visit are available here ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/video-hirono-statement-honoring-veterans-day,VIDEO: Hirono Statement Honoring Veterans Day,2022-11-10,2022,2022-11,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, issued the following statement ahead of Veterans Day: “On Veterans Day, we honor the service, bravery, and commitment of our veterans, who sacrifice so much in defense of our nation. Over the past two years, Congress has made critical progress for veterans in Hawaii and across our country. We’ve expanded VA care for millions of post-9/11 veterans, and increased mental health care for our veterans. The PACT Act has already helped veterans like one Honolulu resident who submitted a VA claim prior to the law’s passage, but was denied. After the PACT Act was signed into law, his condition became covered by the VA, and my office was able to help get his claim granted. “Here in Hawaii, we are advancing construction of the Daniel K. Akaka Outpatient VA clinic on Oahu, which will serve veterans across our state. We must continue building on this progress to help ensure all of our veterans can access the benefits they’ve earned. As a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, I’m working to provide the VA with the resources they need to continue delivering for our veterans. I’ll keep fighting to ensure all of our veterans and their families receive the support they deserve.” Video of Senator Hirono discussing Veterans Day is available here ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/new-senate-report-from-hirono-lawmakers-health-care-providers-speak-out-on-devastating-harm-and-mortal-threats-to-women-posed-by-state-abortion-bans,"New Senate Report from Hirono, Lawmakers: Health Care Providers Speak Out on Devastating Harm and Mortal Threats to Women Posed by State Abortion Bans",2022-11-01,2022,2022-11,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Tina Smith (D-MN) released a new report revealing the devastating consequences of state abortion bans and restrictions enacted by right-wing legislatures and the impacts of Senate Republicans’ extreme proposal to ban abortion nationwide after 15 weeks. Post-Roe Abortion Bans Threaten Women’s Lives: Health Care Providers Speak Out on the Devastating Harm Posed by Abortion Bans and Restrictions is a 23-page report led by Senator Warren based on information provided by leading health care providers. The report details the effects of these radical laws on women’s access to health care as described by health care organizations representing doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and hospitals. “This report details the devastating consequences of state-level abortion bans and the potential impact of the GOP’s push to outlaw abortion nationwide,” said Senator Hirono. “The Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision has sowed chaos and confusion even in states like Hawaii where abortion remains legal, endangering the health and safety of millions and disproportionately impacting communities of color. As MAGA Republicans work to advance a national abortion ban, we’ll continue fighting to defend reproductive freedom and codify abortion access nationwide.” The key findings of the report include: State-imposed restrictions on abortion care affect all women seeking reproductive health care, even in states where abortion remains legal. AMA wrote that “State-imposed restrictions on abortion care have certainly resulted in diminished access to pregnancy care, reproductive care, and other health care, as well as delays in such care.” NNU wrote that “In states where abortion is legal and protected, nurses are beginning to see increased patient loads because of patients traveling to these states to receive the reproductive health care they need. This will put additional strain on nurses who are already chronically understaffed at hospitals across the country.” State abortion bans have created mortal threats to women suffering from miscarriages, ectopic pregnancies, and other complications. The United States is already in the midst of a maternal mortality crisis, with the highest maternal mortality rate among wealthy countries, and with more than 80 percent of pregnancy-related deaths already being preventable. Abortion bans will make this crisis even worse, resulting in preventable pregnant women’s deaths. PRH wrote that “Efforts to ban abortion entirely will continue to exacerbate this country’s maternal health crises. Data shows that efforts to ban abortion would lead to a 24 percent increase in maternal mortality overall.” State-Imposed Restrictions on Abortion Care Threaten Health Care Providers and Interfere with the Doctor-Patient Relationship. All five organizations described how conflicting, vague, and restrictive state laws place providers in impossible situations of trying to meet their ethical duties to put patient health and well-being first while attempting to comply with complex state laws that interfere in the practice of medicine and jeopardize the health of patients. AHA wrote that the “threat of criminal sanctions will interfere with the exercise of health care providers’ expert judgment in the provision of medically necessary care. And this sort of chilling effect is particularly troubling in the emergency room context, where providers must make life-or-death decisions in the heat of the moment— and where delay or restraint can make all the difference.” State-Imposed Restrictions on Abortion Care Disproportionately Impact Communities of Color, Rural Communities, and Low-Income Communities. All five organizations described their fears that abortion bans will exacerbate existing health inequities.16 CDC data already show that Black and Indigenous women are two to three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women, and state-level abortion bans will make these disparities even worse. State-Imposed Restrictions on Abortion Care Result in Broader Restrictions on Medical Care and Medical Education. The consequences of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe extend beyond reproductive health care and are already impacting patients with autoimmune diseases, patients living in chronic pain, and many others, putting additional burdens on already stressed health care systems. APhA wrote that “Indirectly, state-imposed restrictions on abortion care have impacted pregnancy care, reproductive care, and other forms of health care. Many of these issues have been the result of vaguely worded state policies that could be interpreted as being more broadly applied to patients even if they are not receiving care related to an abortion.” Republicans’ Proposed National Abortion Ban Would Have Devastating Impact on Women’s Health and the Entire Health Care System. PRH wrote that “Efforts to ban abortion across the nation will continue to cause devastating harm to people and continue to exacerbate this country’s maternal health crises. Data shows that current efforts to ban abortion would lead to a 24 percent increase in maternal mortality overall. The consequences would be even more dire for Black women. It is projected that abortion bans are estimated to lead to a 39 percent increase in maternal mortality for Black women and birthing people. Under a federal ban the outcomes for pregnant people and people giving birth would be far worse.” The full report can be viewed here. A long-time champion for abortion access, Senator Hirono is committed to protecting the fundamental right to abortion care for all. In August, she introduced the Let Doctors Provide Reproductive Health Care Act to protect doctors against Republicans’ non-stop attacks and ensure they can safely provide abortion care in states where it is still legal. She also led a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services urging them to make medication abortion more easily accessible. In July, Senator Hirono introduced the Right to Contraception Act, as well as the Expanding Access to Family Planning Act, to protect access to critical reproductive health care services, like birth control, and cancer screenings. She also introduced the Freedom to Travel for Health Care Act of 2022, which clarifies that it is illegal for anti-choice states to limit travel for abortion services, and would empower impacted individuals to bring civil action against those who restrict a woman’s right to cross state lines to receive legal reproductive care. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-joins-colleagues-in-urging-doj-and-atf-to-clarify-and-enforce-ghost-guns-rule,Hirono Joins Colleagues in Urging DOJ and ATF to Clarify and Enforce Ghost Guns Rule,2022-10-31,2022,2022-10,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined thirteen of her Senate colleagues in urging the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to issue enforcement guidance and clarify the recently finalized Ghost Gun Rule. The rule regulates unfinished frames and receivers that are the core components used to construct ghost guns, untraceable firearms which have become the preferred instruments for criminals and violent extremists and pose a severe threat to the public and law enforcement. Ghost gun companies have attempted to avoid the rule’s restrictions by claiming that they can still legally sell “nearly-complete” frames and receivers as standalone products, without tools and other materials to complete a ghost gun, without running afoul of the new rule. “These companies have adopted the position that selling nearly-complete frames and receivers without the tools (commonly known as jigs) or instructions to complete them means that their products are not firearms under federal law,” the senators wrote to Attorney General Merrick Garland and ATF Director Steven Dettelbach. “Of the 100 companies previously known to sell unserialized and nearly-complete frames and receivers, dozens remain engaged in that business.” In 2020, Hawaii enacted a law restricting the possession, manufacturing, and sale of ghost gun kits and parts. However, federal agencies have reported a significant increase in the number of ghost guns found throughout the state. Last month, a man on Oahu was caught with two dozen ghost guns and illegal parts. The number of ghost guns recovered at potential crime scenes has grown exponentially, jumping from 1,758 in 2016 to 19,344 in 2021 alone. That these firearms are untraceable only makes it more difficult for law enforcement to develop leads and solve crimes. Between January 1, 2016, and March 4, 2021, ATF attempted to trace almost 23,946 recovered ghost guns, but could only complete 151 traces. In addition to these nearly-complete frames and receivers, the senators noted that many companies have also been selling standalone tools and equipment with directions to help purchasers complete the firearms. With these untraceable, dangerous weapons still accessible to those who wish to cause harm, the senators called for stronger enforcement of the rule. “The final rule, however, is clear and unambiguous: a nearly-complete frame or receiver is a firearm. The rule does not cover only frames and receivers sold as part of a kit, but also frames and receivers that can be readily completed. Indeed, enforcing the rule only against sellers of kits would be a colossal loophole,” the senators continued. “The Ghost Gun Rule was promulgated to stop the proliferation of ghost guns, mitigate the threat these firearms pose to our communities, and help law enforcement—at every level—do their jobs… It is now incumbent upon the Department and ATF to see that it is enforced—and enforced strongly,” the group concluded. In addition to Senator Hirono, the letter, led by Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), was also signed by Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Bob Casey (D-PA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI). The full text of the letter is available here and below. Dear Attorney General Garland and Director Dettelbach: We write to encourage the Department of Justice and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to issue enforcement guidance to clarify the Definition of “Frame or Receiver” Final Rule—better known as the Ghost Gun Rule—to ensure that it meets the goal of enforcing the law and stopping the proliferation of these deadly and untraceable firearms that can be acquired without a background check. This rule is intended to regulate nearly-complete frames and receivers that are the core components used to construct ghost guns. Under the final rule—effective August 24, 2022—readily completed frames and receivers are subject to the same regulations as traditional firearms: licensing, background check, and serialization requirements. If the Ghost Gun Rule is fully and properly implemented, the Department and ATF will be better able to protect the public from violent gun crimes and gun trafficking, and help law enforcement solve the crimes in which these firearms are used. Notwithstanding the Ghost Gun Rule, ghost gun companies have continued to sell the parts and tools to make these dangerous firearms—contending that the final rule fails to cover them and their products. These companies have adopted the position that selling nearly-complete frames and receivers without the tools (commonly known as jigs) or instructions to complete them means that their products are not firearms under federal law. Of the 100 companies previously known to sell unserialized and nearly-complete frames and receivers, dozens remain engaged in that business—including selling nearly-complete unserialized frames and receivers as well as offering the standalone tools and equipment with directions to help purchasers complete them. The final rule, however, is clear and unambiguous: a nearly-complete frame or receiver is a firearm. The rule does not cover only frames and receivers sold as part of a kit, but also frames and receivers that can be readily completed. Indeed, enforcing the rule only against sellers of kits would be a colossal loophole that would swallow the rule because the outcome is one and the same: both kits and standalone frames and receivers can readily be completed, assembled, restored, or otherwise converted to an operational frame or receiver. The text of the Ghost Gun Rule is consistent with other steps ATF has taken to ensure that unfinished frames and receivers are treated as firearms. For example, ATF has rescinded prior determination letters that ruled nearly-complete frames or receivers are not firearms and has required manufacturers to resubmit these parts for review. These parts and the ghost guns made from them pose a serious and severe threat to the public and to law enforcement. In May 2021, the Senate Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on The Constitution heard testimony from leading experts and law enforcement officials that ghost guns are becoming the preferred instruments for criminals and violent extremists—the fastest-growing gun violence menace in the nation. These firearms have been used in school and mass shootings, in domestic violence incidents, in domestic terrorism, and in police shootouts resulting in officer injuries and deaths. This threat continues to increase as the number of ghost guns recovered at potential crime scenes grows exponentially. In 2016, law enforcement recovered 1,758 ghost guns at potential crime scenes across the United States. The number of recovered ghost guns more than doubled in 2018, and more than doubled again in 2020. In 2021, alone, law enforcement recovered at least 19,344 ghost guns at potential crime scenes. That these firearms are untraceable only makes it more difficult for law enforcement to trace crime guns, develop leads, and solve crimes. Between January 1, 2016, and March 4, 2021, ATF attempted to trace almost 23,946 recovered ghost guns, but could only complete 151 traces. In the remaining 23,795 instances, absent other investigative leads and information, the crimes in which those firearms were used go unsolved. The Ghost Gun Rule was promulgated to stop the proliferation of ghost guns, mitigate the threat these firearms pose to our communities, and help law enforcement—at every level—do their jobs. To that end, we urge the Department and ATF to issue enforcement guidance that makes clear that when determining whether a frame or receiver may be “readily converted” into a functional firearm, ATF will consider whether equipment, tools, and instructions that facilitate completion are available otherwise we risk allowing violent criminals, domestic terrorists, and school shooters arming themselves with these easy-to-get, untraceable firearms without a background check. In particular, we urge the Department and ATF to confirm that how ATF reviews the “readily convertible” nature of a nearly-complete frame or receiver will not be limited to what tools, equipment, and instructions are included in the same sale or distribution of the part sold, but rather premised on the tools, equipment, and instructions that are readily available to the general public, including those easily obtainable online through third parties. We also encourage the Department and ATF to provide information about the enforcement actions that will be taken to hold accountable the ghost gun companies who continue to flaunt the final rule and sell ghost gun parts. We applaud and commend the work the Department and ATF have done to protect the public from ghost guns, including this final rule. It is now incumbent upon the Department and ATF to see that it is enforced—and enforced strongly. This guidance would help ensure just that. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:20:33Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-statement-on-president-elect-luiz-inacio-lula-da-silva-of-brazil,Schatz Statement On President-Elect Luiz Inácio Lula Da Silva Of Brazil,2022-10-31,2022,2022-10,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"HONOLULU – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement on the election of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva as president of Brazil. “Lula’s win is a victory for global climate action. The importance of the Amazon as a carbon sink cannot be overstated, and its preservation is critical to preventing the most destructive climate change scenarios. Lula significantly curbed deforestation during his previous tenure in office, and I am eager to work with him to restore environmental protections in the Amazon, support indigenous communities, and drive international progress on climate.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:20:33Z https://case.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=985,Case Joins House Colleagues In Celebrating Filipino American History Month,2022-10-28,2022,2022-10,Democrat,House,HI,Ed Case,C001055,case.house.gov,case,https://case.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27&Page=17,scraper,"(Washington, DC) – U.S. Congressman Ed Case (HI-01) today co-led introduction in the U.S. House alongside Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-39), Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-3), Congresswoman Michelle Steel (CA-48) and 23 other colleagues of a bi-partisan measure to celebrate October 2022 as Filipino American History Month. “Each year our country recognizes October as Filipino American History Month, a time for all Americans to celebrate the incredible past, present and future of our fellow citizens whose heritage lies in the great country of the Philippines,” said Congressman Ed Case in his written remarks submitted to the Congressional Record. “I am especially humbled to do so as the Representative of Hawaii’s First Congressional District, where according to the 2021 American Community Survey more than 190,000 Filipino Americans live, more than any other of our 435 districts throughout the country. “With Hawaii’s Second Congressional District – with the second largest Filipino American population – our Fil-Am community in Hawai’i stands at more than 370,000. “In total, fully a quarter of all Hawai’i residents are Filipino Americans, by far the largest percentage of any state or territory.” In his remarks, Case spotlighted the arrival of the first Filipinos who immigrated to the United States on October 18, 1587, when the ship the Nuestra Señora de Esperanza arrived in Morro Bay, California. The first Filipinos to arrive in I came onboard the SS Doric in 1906 with fifteen “sakadas” (contract laborers) who arrived in Honolulu to work in the sugar plantations. “To Fil-Ams everywhere, Maraming Salamat Po and Dios ti Agngina, congratulations. I truly look forward to partnering with you on your next proud chapters,” said Case. “As the only currently serving member of Congress with Filipino ancestry and co-chair of the U.S.-Philippines Friendship Caucus, I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing this resolution to celebrate Filipino American History Month,” said Congressman Bobby Scott. “Filipino Americans have contributed significantly to our nation through military service, the arts and sciences, health care and so much more. I am also proud to represent the Hampton Roads, Virginia region in Congress, which is home to a large and vibrant community of Filipino Americans, many of whom have served our nation in uniform. The ties between the United States and the Philippines could not be stronger. And I was honored to witness those strong ties firsthand this summer, when I attended the Inauguration of President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos, Jr. as part of the Presidential Delegation led by Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff. I hope all Americans join us in celebrating the rich contributions made to our nation by Filipino Americans.” “Filipino Americans are contributing to our history and culture in my district, throughout California and across the nation, and their unique stories are embedded into the American fabric,” said Congresswoman Young Kim. “I am so proud to represent a vibrant Filipino American community in Congress and thank my friend Rep. Ed Case for leading a bipartisan resolution to recognize Filipino American History Month.” “Filipino Americans in southern California and across the country have made incredible contributions to our nation’s success,” said Rep. Steel. “I am proud to cosponsor this resolution commemorating Filipino American History Month and honoring the history, heritage, and culture of our Filipino communities,” said Congresswoman Michelle Steel. “I’m proud to join my Congressional colleagues to formally recognize Filipino American contributions to the United States,” said Congressman Juan Vargas. “This is an excellent time to further appreciate and learn from Filipino American history and culture across our nation. I’m honored to represent almost 60,000 Filipino Americans in Congress, and I’m proud to celebrate their legacy in my district and across our country during this special month and beyond.” Attachment: Case remarks in the Congressional Record for Filipino American History Month. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:20:33Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-announces-5-million-in-federal-funding-for-epas-clean-school-bus-program-in-hawaii,Hirono Announces $5 Million in Federal Funding for EPA’s Clean School Bus Program in Hawaii,2022-10-27,2022,2022-10,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"HONOLULU, HI – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, announced that the Hawaii Department of Education will receive nearly $5 million to procure 25 new electric school buses. The grant is funded through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Clean School Bus Program, and will help 29 school districts across the Pacific Southwest purchase over 280 clean school buses that will accelerate the transition to zero emissions vehicles and produce cleaner air in and around schools and communities. “Updating our school bus fleet with electric vehicles is critical as Hawaii moves to clean, renewable energy,” said Senator Hirono. “This funding, made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will bolster Hawaii’s transition to electric vehicles while reducing the health risks of traditional diesel-burning buses to our keiki. I’ll continue working to support projects like this that strengthen Hawaii’s leadership in the transition to a clean energy future.” The Clean School Bus Program will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save money for school districts, and produce cleaner air, and the 2022 Clean School Bus Rebates prioritize low-income, rural, and Tribal communities. In total, President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will be awarding nearly $95 million to this year’s grant recipients in American Samoa, Arizona, California, Hawaii, and Nevada. As Chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Energy, Senator Hirono is working to expand the presence of electric vehicles and speed the transition to clean, renewable energy in Hawaii and across the country. In August, Senator Hirono helped pass the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which includes $1 billion for EPA grants to states or municipalities to cover the incremental cost of purchasing heavy-duty vehicles, like school and transit buses and garbage trucks. Last year, she helped pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), which invests billions in climate mitigation, resilience, and safety, including a focus on cleaner and safer buses.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:20:33Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-announces-473-million-in-federal-funding-for-kapalama-container-terminal-project,Hirono Announces $47.3 Million in Federal Funding for Kapalama Container Terminal Project,2022-10-26,2022,2022-10,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"HONOLULU, HI – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), today announced a $47.3 million grant through U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) for the Hawaii Department of Transportation’s (HDOT) Kapalama Container Terminal (KCT) Project at Honolulu Harbor. The grant is funded through MARAD’s Port Infrastructure Development Program and will be used to improve efficiency and resiliency and reduce emissions at the Harbor. In June, Senator Hirono and the Hawaii congressional delegation wrote to U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in support of this funding and earlier this month, she visited the harbor to highlight the importance of federal funding for the harbor and the KCT expansion project. “My recent visit to Honolulu Harbor highlighted how critical it is to Hawaii’s economy, handling more than 11 million tons of cargo every year,” said Senator Hirono. “The infusion of federal funding into the Kapalama Container Terminal Project will help improve the Honolulu Harbor’s resilience and efficiency by electrifying the harbor’s cranes and installing an electrical micro-grid, solar panels, and batteries to store power. As work continues to expand the harbor’s capacity, this federal funding will help reduce the harbor’s environmental impact and make it more resilient to threats including climate change, helping more cargo reach families and businesses across the islands quickly and efficiently. I’ll continue working to secure the federal funding Hawaii needs to strengthen our infrastructure and ensure the reliability of our supply chains.” The federal funding will be matched by $92 million in private funds. Specifically, the funding will support four activities, including: Upgrades to human-operated electrified ship-to-shore cranes, acquisition of new equipment, and installation of solar panels on terminal buildings that will improve the reliability of port operations; Smart gate and security technology to improve safety and operational efficiency; An electrical micro-grid to improve resilience to power outages; and, In collaboration with local communities and stakeholders, development of a Facility Resiliency Plan and a Terminal Electrification Plan to support additional environmental and resilience improvements in the future. Last year, Senator Hirono helped secure $800,000 in federal funding for the Army Corps of Engineers to do a feasibility study on navigation improvements in Honolulu Harbor and features that would make the harbor more resilient to natural disasters and sea level rise resulting from climate change, consistent with the HDOT’s 2050 Master Plan for the harbor. In August, Senator Hirono helped pass the Inflation Reduction Act, which established a new Grants to Reduce Air Pollution at Ports program at EPA, appropriating $3 billion available through 2026. Last year, she helped pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), which invests more than $17 billion in port infrastructure and waterways, including funding for the Port Infrastructure Development Program that made today’s award to KCT.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:20:33Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-announces-137-million-usda-grant-to-combat-coffee-leaf-rust-in-hawaii,Hirono Announces $1.37 Million USDA Grant to Combat Coffee Leaf Rust in Hawaii,2022-10-21,2022,2022-10,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) awarded $1.37 million to the Hawaii Agriculture Research Center to support the Center’s work to combat Coffee Leaf Rust (CLR) in Hawaii. The funding comes from NIFA’s Specialty Crop Research Initiatives (SCRI) program, and will be used to revitalize the organization’s coffee breeding program in an effort to produce coffee with CLR resistance. “Since its discovery in Hawaii in 2020, Coffee Leaf Rust has been a threat to one of our most important local agricultural industries,” said Senator Hirono. “This funding is crucial in supporting the work being done in Hawaii to combat Coffee Leaf Rust and save an industry that generates hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity each year. I am glad that the USDA is continuing to provide necessary resources to address CLR and I’ll continue working to support farmers across our state.” Coffee Leaf Rust (CLR) is considered the most devastating coffee disease in the world. According to the Hawaii Agriculture Research Center, coffee is one of the most economically valuable specialty crops in Hawaii—the raw crop value of Hawaiian coffee is $62 million and generates approximately $500 million in economic activity each year. It is produced commercially on six islands by over 1,400 growers and has a cultural heritage dating back over 150 years. In 2020, when CLR was first discovered in Hawaii, Senator Hirono urged the USDA to provide a swift response to contain and treat the fungus. Last year, Senator Hirono introduced the Coffee Plant Health Initiative Amendments Act that would expand research funding to address all current and emerging threats to coffee plant health, including CLR, and Hawaii was also awarded $6 million by NIFA to address CLR. NIFA’s Specialty Crop Research Initiatives (SCRI) program awards grants to support research that addresses key challenges of national, regional, and multistate importance in sustaining food and agriculture, including conventional and organic food production systems. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:34:28Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-murray-shaheen-warren-applaud-dod-action-to-ensure-access-to-reproductive-care,"Hirono, Murray, Shaheen, Warren Applaud DOD Action to Ensure Access to Reproductive Care",2022-10-20,2022,2022-10,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP), and Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today applauded the Department of Defense’s (DOD) memorandum on ensuring access to reproductive health care: “Today’s announcement from the Department of Defense is a significant step toward protecting the reproductive freedom of servicemembers and their families. These actions will help ensure that our servicemembers can access the health care they need, while protecting the medical professionals who provide this care. As Republicans in Washington and across the country work to enact a nationwide abortion ban following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn a 50 year Constitutional right, the federal government must use every available tool to protect the fundamental right to reproductive care for all women, including our servicemembers. We’re glad to see DOD taking these steps, and we hope the Department will continue working to strengthen the reproductive rights of all servicemembers and their families.” In June, following the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade, Senator Hirono led a group of her Senate colleagues in calling on DOD to take immediate steps to support and protect female servicemembers seeking abortion services.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:34:28Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-statement-on-water-issues-at-joint-base-pearl-harbor-hickam,Hirono Statement on Water Issues at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam,2022-10-20,2022,2022-10,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement after speaking with U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) Commander Admiral John Aquilino and Assistant Secretary of the Navy Energy, Installations and Environment, Meredith Berger about the ongoing water issues at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam: “Families and servicemembers in Hawaii are bearing the brunt of aging and poorly maintained infrastructure—this is unacceptable. The recent pipe breaks in the Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam water system has resulted in families, servicemembers and impacted communities being unable to shower, having to boil their cooking water, and face other disruptions in their day-to-day life. The incident has also forced the Navy to pause their defueling efforts at Red Hill. While the Navy worked with the Department of Health and the Board of Water Supply to remedy the situation, we need long-term solutions, not just short-term fixes. Yesterday, I spoke with INDOPACOM Commander, Admiral Aquilino and Assistant Secretary of the Navy Energy, Installations and Environment, Meredith Berger—who is responsible for overseeing all issues impacting Navy infrastructure. We discussed the need for the Department of Defense to be forward thinking when it comes to safeguarding and modernizing critical infrastructure in Hawaii and across the region. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I’m committed to making that happen in order to protect families and ensure INDOPACOM meets its mission of enhancing stability in our region.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:34:28Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-new-cfpb-action-will-help-address-credit-report-errors,Schatz: New CFPB Action Will Help Address Credit Report Errors,2022-10-20,2022,2022-10,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today commended the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) on newly issued guidance to consumer reporting companies about their obligation to screen for and eliminate errors from consumers’ credit reports. In November, Schatz urged the agency to help improve the accuracy of credit reports, streamline the dispute resolution process, and hold consumer reporting agencies accountable for addressing persistent errors. “Mistakes on credit reports have real impacts. It may mean people will end up having to pay more for credit or be denied loans altogether. It also might make it harder to land a job, get a mortgage, or rent an apartment. This new guidance is a good first step to helping eliminate these kinds of errors. But CFPB can and should do more to hold credit reporting agencies accountable for these mistakes,” said Senator Schatz. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:34:28Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-more-than-27-million-heading-to-hawaii-to-strengthen-access-to-health-care-reduce-health-disparities-keep-more-people-healthy,"Schatz: More Than $27 Million Heading To Hawai‘i To Strengthen Access To Health Care, Reduce Health Disparities, Keep More People Healthy",2022-10-18,2022,2022-10,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today announced more than $27 million in funding to Hawai‘i from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to support programs and research that expand access to health care and domestic violence programs, reduce racial and ethnic health disparities, and support the health care workforce. This funding includes over $4.3 million in congressionally-directed spending secured by Schatz, and millions of dollars more as a result of his work as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “Local agencies and organizations do important work providing community and behavioral health services, addressing health disparities, and conducting innovative research into cancer and other serious diseases. By supporting these programs, we’re helping to keep more people across Hawai‘i healthy and safe,” said Senator Schatz. The more than $27 million in funding includes: $15.6 million to improve access to health care, strengthen services in rural and underserved communities, expand behavioral health services, and support domestic violence programs Health Care $4,636,147 for the West Hawai‘i Community Health Center to continue providing health care services to underserved communities $3,000,000 for Hale Makua to support care and services for seniors $150,000 for Waikiki Health to support HIV care, treatment, and support through the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Behavioral Health Services $4,000,000 for the Hawai‘i Department of Health’s Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division to strengthen opioid treatment programs $999,857 for the Hawai‘i Department of Health to support the planning, development, and implementation of the Maui County Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic, the first clinic in the state providing comprehensive mental health and substance use services to receive this designation $698,458 for the Hawai‘i Department of Health to develop the OHANA Center of Excellence on Empowering Behavioral Health, which will serve as the U.S. hub for enhancing behavioral health care for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities $300,000 for the Hawai‘i Department of Health’s Pediatric Mental Health Care Access Expansion program to expand telehealth access programs for pediatric mental care $282,204 for the Hawai‘i Department of Health to support community mental health services $250,000 for the YMCA of Honolulu to support its substance use recovery program $100,000 for Maui Economic Opportunity to grow its MEO Youth Services program, which includes substance use, anti-bullying, and suicide prevention initiatives Domestic Violence Programs $1,000,000 for Pouhana ‘O Na Wahine to support the organization’s Native Hawaiian Tribal Resource Center on Domestic Violence $500,000 for the Domestic Violence Action Center to promote programs supporting key issues in women’s health $9 million to reduce racial and ethnic health disparities $4,552,815 for the University of Hawai‘i to support Ola HAWAI‘I, a specialized research center focused on addressing health disparities $2,467,767 for the University of Hawai‘i Cancer Center to advance research on ethnic differences in cancer $1,521,750 for the Hawai‘i Clinical Research Network to promote diverse racial and ethnic representation in clinical research trials $700,437 for the University of Hawai‘i to study health disparities in liver disease, which disproportionately affects Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders $2.3 million to strengthen Hawai‘i’s health care workforce $1,279,949 for the University of Hawai‘i to expand the Community Health Worker and Health Support Worker Training Program $999,966 for the University of Hawai‘i’s Rural Health Research Center to advance research related to rural health, the rural health workforce, and health equity ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:20:33Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-statement-on-new-interior-department-consultation-policy-with-native-hawaiian-community,Schatz Statement On New Interior Department Consultation Policy With Native Hawaiian Community,2022-10-18,2022,2022-10,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, released the following statement after the Department of the Interior announced its first-ever consultation policy with the Native Hawaiian community. “This is a very big deal and a vital first step. One of the most important principles in policymaking, especially as it relates to Native communities, is: ‘nothing about me, without me.’ This policy update recognizes that consultation with Native Hawaiians is an essential aspect of decision-making for the federal government and key to upholding its trust responsibility. We have long way to go, but all progress starts with listening.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:20:33Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-blackburn-eshoo-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-help-expose-foreign-government-funded-propaganda-improve-broadcast-television-and-radio-programming-transparency,"Schatz, Blackburn, Eshoo Introduce Bipartisan Bill To Help Expose Foreign Government-Funded Propaganda, Improve Broadcast Television And Radio Programming Transparency",2022-10-17,2022,2022-10,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) have introduced the Identifying Propaganda on Our Airwaves (IPA) Act, bipartisan legislation to help disclose foreign propaganda on American broadcast television and radio. The bill authorizes the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to require that broadcasters check foreign media databases to better identify groups sponsoring programming. Companion legislation has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by U.S. Representative Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.). “Foreign governments shouldn’t be able to hide behind shell companies to fund misinformation and propaganda on American airwaves,” said Senator Schatz, a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. “By giving the FCC the authority to require disclosure of this foreign propaganda, our bipartisan bill will help stop this practice and improve programming transparency on TV and the radio.” “Americans deserve the right to make informed decisions about the media they consume,"" said Senator Blackburn. “Under current regulations, the New Axis of Evil can use shell companies to broadcast regime-funded propaganda across American airwaves. This legislation will protect consumer transparency by requiring the disclosure of foreign government-sponsored content.” “In July, the D.C. Circuit struck down a portion of the FCC rule that required clearer foreign sponsorship disclosures for radio broadcasters, claiming that the FCC did not have such authority. This was a disastrous decision. The rule required that broadcasters simply check two federal sources to verify an ad sponsor’s identity, a rule implemented at my urging. The American people deserve to know when radio programming they hear on public airwaves is foreign government-funded propaganda,” said Representative Eshoo. “Our legislation unambiguously grants the FCC the authority to require broadcasters to conduct reasonable diligence to identify foreign agents and their shell companies so Americans will know who is funding the information on our public airwaves.” In 2021, the FCC unanimously issued rules requiring broadcasters to verify the real identity of programming sponsors by mandating they check the Department of Justice’s Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) website and the Commission’s U.S.-Based Foreign Media Outlets reports. These rules were designed to prevent foreign governments from funding propaganda through obscure shell companies. To take two examples showing how essential this verification is, “RM Broadcasting” and “Potomac Radio Group,” names of programming sponsors, are actually front groups for the Russian and Chinese governments. In July, however, the D.C. Circuit struck down the FCC’s authority to do this. The IPA Act re-implements this authority, requiring broadcasters check the sources to identify foreign agents and their shell companies when entering into and renewing airtime lease agreements for sponsored programming. The bill would not prohibit foreign governments from sponsoring content on U.S. airwaves, but would make local stations think twice before airing foreign influence operations. “The principle that the public has a right to know the identity of those who solicit their support is a fundamental and long-standing tenet of broadcasting,” said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. “Consumers deserve to trust that public airwaves aren’t being leased without their knowledge to foreign governments. I appreciate the leadership of Senators Schatz and Blackburn, and Representative Eshoo for their efforts to increase transparency and ensure consumers know who is behind the information transmitted over public airwaves.” “The fact that foreign governmental entities are covertly broadcasting on our television and radio stations is alarming. The American people have a right to know the identity of those using the public airwaves in order to be informed and make their own decisions in separating truth from disinformation. I thank Senators Schatz and Blackburn, and Representative Eshoo, for their leadership in ensuring that broadcasters do their due diligence to disclose the true source of foreign state-sponsored programming. The Communications Act – and fundamental notions of transparency – require no less,” said FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks. The full text of the bill is available here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:20:33Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-announces-128-million-in-american-rescue-plan-funding-for-uh-to-train-community-health-workers,Hirono Announces $1.28 Million in American Rescue Plan Funding for UH to Train Community Health Workers,2022-10-14,2022,2022-10,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded $1.28 million in federal funding to the University of Hawaii (UH) Systems to train new community health workers. The funding is part of the Community Health Worker Training Program created by the American Rescue Plan, which Senator Hirono helped pass last year. Currently, there are over 2,000 community health workers operating through several organizations throughout Hawaii. “As we work to combat our health care worker shortage in Hawaii and across the country, it is crucial that we invest in programs to grow our health care workforce,” said Senator Hirono. “By enabling UH to train additional community health workers, this funding will help families in Hawaii, especially those from underserved communities, navigate our health care system so they can access the care they need. I’ll continue working to strengthen Hawaii’s health care system and eliminate barriers to quality health care.” In 2021, UH graduated a record number of students enrolled in its Community Health Worker certificate program. In Hawaii, CHWs are employed by various organizations, including qualified health centers, hospitals, nonprofits, and state agencies. They serve as a bridge between the community and the health care system by providing health education, information, and direct services to community members. As part of the American Rescue Plan, HHS awarded over $225 million in grants through the Community Health Worker Training Program to 83 organizations across the country. The Community Health Worker Training Program is a multi-year program that supports training and apprenticeship for new community health workers (CHWs). This funding will be used to train 13,000 new CHWs and help ensure all patients have access to health care. Senator Hirono has long worked to address the health care worker shortage and ensure Hawaii’s communities can access the care they need. In 2020, she helped Community Health Centers across the state secure federal funding during the pandemic, and also helped secure CARES Act funding for the UH Systems to develop workforce training programs in the health care industry. Last month, during a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee hearing, Senator Hirono emphasized the need to address the strain caused by the shortage of health care workers in Hawaii and across the country. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:20:33Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-announces-19-million-awarded-to-uh-manoa-and-uh-maui-college-to-promote-food-and-agricultural-science-programs,Hirono Announces $1.9 Million Awarded to UH Manoa and UH Maui College to Promote Food and Agricultural Science Programs,2022-10-13,2022,2022-10,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) awarded $1.9 million in federal funding to programs at the University of Hawaii (UH) at Manoa and the University of Hawaii Maui College. The funding, which aims to promote and strengthen Alaska Native-Serving and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions, will provide financial support for these institutions to carry out education, applied research, and community development programs within a broadly defined arena of food and agricultural sciences-related disciplines. “This funding is an important investment in the future of Hawaii’s food and agriculture system, and the Native Hawaiian communities that have been stewards of the land for centuries,” said Senator Hirono. “UH’s programs, like GoFarm, play an important role in teaching and training the next generation of individuals who will care for the land and be responsible for strengthening Hawaii’s sustainability practices. I am glad that this funding will be used to support our local economy, develop our workforce, and engage members of the Native Hawaiian community as we work to protect the land and feed our communities for years to come.” The funding will be used to support two programs at UH Manoa and one at UH Maui College. The projects at UH Manoa include GoFarm Hawaii and Hawaii-One-Ag. GoFarm Hawaii is a statewide beginning farmer training program aiming to help enhance Hawaii’s food security and local economy by reducing dependence on imported food and increasing the number of sustainable, local agricultural producers. Hawaii-One-Ag creates and provides a number of diverse educational opportunities, and engages with high school and college students, as well as agricultural workers who want to develop their professional and technical skills. The UH Maui College program, Ike Kupuna: Integrating Traditional Knowledge into Natural Resource Sciences, combines modern and traditional methods in order to effectively manage Maui’s natural resources and increase participation amongst the Native Hawaiian community. Senator Hirono is a longstanding champion of programs that support Hawaii’s indigenous, Native Hawaiian community – including those that provide support through Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs). Earlier this year, in May, she led a letter with 15 Senate Democratic colleagues requesting strong funding for MSIs – including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions – in FY2023. More recently, in September, she introduced a Senate resolution recognizing the importance of institutions that provide educational opportunities for Asian American, Native, Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander students. The University of Hawaii (UH) also received $1.5 million from NIFA in 2020. This funding enabled UH to promote educational equity for underrepresented students, expand education programs, and provide job training in the fields of food, agriculture, and natural resources. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:20:33Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-secures-1-million-in-new-federal-funding-to-support-native-hawaiian-community-cultural-education-for-visitors,"Schatz Secures $1 Million In New Federal Funding To Support Native Hawaiian Community, Cultural Education For Visitors",2022-10-12,2022,2022-10,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today announced that seven Native Hawaiian organizations working to preserve and share Native Hawaiian culture and traditions with visitors will receive $1 million in funding from the U.S. Department of the Interior to continue doing so. The funding is made possible by the NATIVE Act, 2016 legislation authored by Senator Schatz to help empower Native communities through cultural tourism. “Everyone who visits Hawai?i should understand and appreciate Native Hawaiian culture, and this funding will help give local organizations the resources they need to preserve and share these important traditions,” said Senator Schatz, chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. The new funding, part of the Interior Department’s Opportunities in Hawai?i (HO?IHI) Program, will support a number of educational programs for visitors, in turn helping to create jobs, increase living standards, and expand economic opportunities for Native Hawaiian communities. The full list of recipients includes: ?Ao?ao o Na Loko I?a o Maui, for the Ko?ie?ie Fishpond Visitor Engagement Program, which will help educate visitors about the cultural and historical significance of Ko‘ie‘ie Fishpond Hanalei River Heritage Foundation, for the I Mana Ka ‘Aina Visitor Engagement Program, which will develop a bilingual, historical interpretive educational program for visitors Hi?ipaka LLC, for Ho?ihi no Waimea, which will engage visitors in interactive cultural activities such as lei making, coconut weaving, and poi pounding Moanalua Garden Foundation Inc., to support the 46th Annual Prince Lot Hula Festival Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association, to support engagement programs with visitors and Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners PA?I Foundation, for Nana I Ke Kumu: Look to the Source, which will educate and engage visitors on the traditions, principles and values of the Native Hawaiian people Wai?anae Economic Development Council, for E Mau Ke A?o: Sustaining the Cultural Practitioner, which will help create new businesses for cultural practitioners through access to new markets, increased marketing efforts, and training programs ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:20:33Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-statement-on-hdoh-approval-of-red-hill-defueling-plan,Hirono Statement on HDOH Approval of Red Hill Defueling Plan,2022-10-07,2022,2022-10,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"HONOLULU, HI –Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement after the Hawaii Department of Health approved the Department of Defense’s plan to begin the next step of the defueling process at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility: “The approval of this plan is a critical step toward permanently closing Red Hill. I have urged leaders at the Defense Department including Secretary Austin and JTF Red Hill Commander Wade to begin the defueling process as soon as is safely possible,” said Senator Hirono. “Transparency and collaboration have been essential in this process so far, and will continue to be as we work together to quickly and safely defuel and close Red Hill.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:20:33Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-statement-on-water-outage-at-tripler-army-medical-center,Hirono Statement on Water Outage at Tripler Army Medical Center,2022-10-07,2022,2022-10,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"HONOLULU, HI –Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement on the water outage currently impacting Tripler Army Medical Center (TAMC), which serves servicemember and veterans on Oahu: “I am closely monitoring the water outage at Tripler. My staff and I have reached out to the relevant agencies to offer our assistance and support as we await more information about the extent of the damage and the impact on patients and families living on base. We will continue monitoring the situation and working with state and federal officials to help ensure our servicemembers and veterans continue to receive the care they need and deserve. Our number one priority must be ensuring the health and wellbeing of the servicemembers and veterans that Tripler serves.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:20:33Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/photos-hirono-hosts-roundtable-discussion-with-kupuna-collective-on-supporting-hawaiis-seniors,PHOTOS: Hirono Hosts Roundtable Discussion with Kupuna Collective on Supporting Hawaii’s Seniors,2022-10-07,2022,2022-10,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"HONOLULU, HI –Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) met with the Kupuna Collective, a network of support organizations that focus on maximizing the health, independence, and engagement of Hawaii’s older adults, for a roundtable conversation about supporting seniors in Hawaii. During the roundtable, Senator Hirono discussed issues including food security, senior care workforce shortages, and the recently-passed Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which will lower health care costs for the nearly 280,000 seniors in Hawaii who get their health care through Medicare. “The Kupuna Collective came together at the start of the pandemic to meet the needs of our kupuna in Hawaii who weren’t able to take advantage of mass food distributions and vaccine initiatives,” said Senator Hirono. “The Collective was able to identify gaps in services and respond quickly by leveraging resources and justifying their needs to donors through careful data collection and analysis. When seniors across our state were struggling to afford food, this group came together to help make sure they had enough to eat, and it has continued working to support our seniors with access to vaccines, daily meals to meet their medical needs, digital resources, and more. Our community owes the Kupuna Collective a debt of gratitude. With the recently-passed Inflation Reduction Act, we’re also meeting the needs of our seniors by lowering the cost of health care and prescription drugs, and making sure seniors on Medicare can get the vaccines they need free of cost, thanks to a provision I authored.” Roundtable participants included Derrick Ariyoshi, County Executive for the Elderly Affairs Division with the City and County of Honolulu; Lindsey Ilagan, Hawaii Public Health Institute Kupuna program manager and co-convener of the Kupuna Collective; Christy Nishita, Director of the UH Manoa Thompson School of Social Work Center on Aging and co-convener of the Kupuna Collective; Michelle Cordero-Lee, Lanakila Pacific Meals on Wheels Program CEO; and Kathy Wyatt, Hale Hauoli Adult Day Care owner and director. Earlier this year, Senator Hirono helped pass the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which will lower health care costs for more than 280,000 seniors in Hawaii who get their health care through Medicare by allowing Medicare to negotiate prescription drug costs and capping seniors’ out-of-pocket drug costs at $2,000 a year. In July, she also reintroduced the Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act, legislation that would strengthen Social Security’s financial state and ensure that seniors continue to benefit from the programs they have paid into throughout their lives. Photos and video of the Senator’s event are available here ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:20:33Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hawaii-schools-to-receive-more-than-14-million-to-provide-students-with-healthy-meals,Hawai‘i Schools To Receive More Than $1.4 Million To Provide Students With Healthy Meals,2022-10-07,2022,2022-10,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today announced that Hawai‘i will receive $1,417,688 in new federal funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to support school meal programs. This money will help schools provide students with nutritious meals, supporting families that face food insecurity and addressing food shortages amid supply chain challenges. “Kids throughout Hawai‘i rely on school meals so that they can stay healthy and succeed in school,” said Senator Schatz, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “This funding will help make sure that schools have the resources they need to continue providing their students with nutritious meals.” The funding is part of $471.5 million from the USDA for schools to address supply chain disruptions and make sure increased food costs don’t harm school meal programs. The new funding follows a December 2021 announcement of nearly $5 million and a July 2022 announcement of more than $3 million from the USDA to help support school food programs in Hawai‘i. In July, Schatz secured a provision in this year’s draft appropriations bill that would direct the USDA to temporarily increase its school meal reimbursement rate for Hawai‘i while the agency completes its years-long study to update its severely outdated cost estimates for school meals, which have not changed since 1979. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:20:33Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-statement-on-doh-approval-of-plan-to-drain-red-hill-pipelines,Schatz Statement On DOH Approval Of Plan To Drain Red Hill Pipelines,2022-10-07,2022,2022-10,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement after the Hawai‘i Department of Health approved the Navy’s plan to drain pipelines at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility. “This is a positive step toward defueling and shutting down Red Hill. DoD must continue to work with state officials and community leaders as quickly as possible. There’s no turning back, and there’s no time to waste.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:20:33Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/photos-and-video-hirono-hosts-va-secretary-denis-mcdonough-for-field-hearing-meetings-with-veterans-on-oahu,"PHOTOS & VIDEO: Hirono Hosts VA Secretary Denis McDonough for Field Hearing, Meetings with Veterans on Oahu",2022-10-05,2022,2022-10,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"HONOLULU, HI – Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, hosted a series of events focused on discussing the state of veterans’ affairs (VA) resources and programs in Hawaii. Senator Hirono started the day chairing a field hearing of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee at the Oahu Veterans Center, highlighting some of the challenges Hawaii veterans face, including access to health care, education, housing, and other benefits. “It is clear that our veterans and the larger VA community face numerous challenges,” said Senator Hirono. “But my colleagues and I on the Veterans Affairs Committee are committed to strengthening the VA and helping to ensure all of our veterans can access the resources and support they need and deserve. In partnership with Secretary McDonough and his colleagues at the VA, we will continue working to ensure our veterans and their loved ones receive the care they’ve earned, and provide VA with the resources and support it needs to continue delivering for our veterans.” During the hearing, Senator Hirono questioned U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough about the progress that has been made under his leadership and the Biden Administration, including the recent passage of the PACT Act, as well as the work ahead to better support the many challenges veterans in Hawaii continue to face. As of 2020, there were over 113,000 veterans in Hawaii, comprising over 10 percent of Hawaii’s adult population. Following the Secretary’s testimony, Senator Hirono questioned a second panel of witnesses, which included local veterans, as well as leadership from the Hawaii Office of Veterans’ Services and other local organizations. “There are an estimated 113,000 Veterans in Hawaii, and our shared mission—at VA, in Congress, and as a nation—is to serve every one of those Veterans as well as they’ve served our country,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough.“We at VA look forward to continuing to partner with Senator Hirono to deliver world-class health care and benefits to Hawaii Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors.” After the hearing, Senator Hirono and Secretary McDonough hosted a roundtable with student veterans at the University of Hawaii’s Manoa campus to discuss challenges student veterans face and how the VA and higher education institutions can better support them. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 895,000 student veterans attend colleges and universities nationwide, including 17,000 in Hawaii. “VA education benefits are meant to help our veterans transition to the classroom after their service, but too many still struggle to obtain higher education or job skills,” said Senator Hirono. “Barriers like student debt, child care affordability, and a lack of access to mental health resources prevent many of our veterans from being able to complete their degrees or job training programs. I enjoyed hearing from student veterans and administrators at UH about the programs and resources they have developed to address these challenges and support student veterans on campus, and I hope VA and other schools can look to UH as a model for ensuring student veteran success.” Later today, Senator Hirono and Secretary McDonough will visit the Windward VA Clinic, which provides medical care to veterans on Oahu. Earlier this year, Senator Hirono introduced and helped pass legislation to name the new VA clinic under construction in Kapolei after the late Senator Daniel K. Akaka, who first conceived of and championed the clinic. “VA clinics provide critical physical and mental health care to our veterans and many of their loved ones,” said Senator Hirono. “As we work to ensure every veteran can access the timely, quality care they deserve, expanding the capacity of VA’s network of clinics is crucial. That’s why I’m glad construction of the new Daniel K. Akaka VA clinic in Kapolei is well underway. When completed, the Akaka VA Clinic will serve veterans from across Hawaii and throughout the Pacific, improving VA’s ability to care for all of our veterans.” A link to download photos and videos from today’s events is available here. As a member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Senator Hirono has consistently worked to support veterans in Hawaii and across the country. Earlier this year, she led her colleagues in calling on the VA to begin offering abortion services following the Supreme Court’s disastrous decision overturning Roe v. Wade. Last month, Secretary McDonough announced that VA would heed that call and begin offering abortion services in cases of rape, incest, or the life and health of the mother. In August, Senator Hirono helped pass the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act—comprehensive, bipartisan legislation to expand VA health care for veterans with health conditions related to burn pit and Agent Orange exposure. In March, she helped pass in the Senate bipartisan legislation to expand access to breast cancer screening and care for veterans. Last month, Senator Hirono also announced that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) awarded $1.5 million in federal funding to Hawaii to support veterans’ suicide prevention efforts. In February, she sent a letter to the U.S. Secretary of Defense and U.S. VA Secretary to voice concerns about the failures within the Department of Defense (DoD) to screen for and prevent suicide amongst transitioning servicemembers. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:20:33Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/photos-and-video-hirono-plants-ohia-lehua-tree-at-east-west-center-tours-local-manufacturer-hpc-foods/taro-brand-,"PHOTOS & VIDEO: Hirono Plants Ohia Lehua Tree at East-West Center, Tours Local Manufacturer HPC Foods/Taro Brand",2022-10-04,2022,2022-10,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"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.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:20:33Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/photos-hirono-tours-honolulu-harbor-to-highlight-impact-of-the-inflation-reduction-act,PHOTOS: Hirono Tours Honolulu Harbor to Highlight Impact of the Inflation Reduction Act,2022-10-03,2022,2022-10,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"HONOLULU, HI – Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), toured the Honolulu Harbor and Kapalama Container Terminal (KCT) site, and met with officials from the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) and shipping companies to discuss the progress of the KCT expansion project and the importance of the $3 billion included in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) for port electrification across the country. Last month, Senator Hirono voted to pass the IRA, landmark legislation that lowered costs for families by investing billions in renewable energy. “Honolulu Harbor is critical to Hawaii’s economy, handling more than 11 million tons of cargo every year,” said Senator Hirono. “As efforts continue to expand the Harbor’s capacity and its ability to serve our state, we also have an opportunity to reduce its impact on our environment. Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, we’re investing billions of dollars to upgrade and electrify ports in Hawaii and across the country. I’m proud to help secure federal funding to support modernizing Honolulu Harbor, and I’ll continue working to support infrastructure modernization projects across Hawaii.” The purpose of the KCT project is to improve cargo handling capabilities at Honolulu Harbor, the hub of Hawaii’s commercial harbor system. KCT, when complete, will add about 40% container capacity at the Harbor at a cost of about $555 million. The project includes the construction of a 65-acre container yard, support buildings, entry and exit gates, security fencing, parking, gantry cranes and container handling equipment, and outdoor energy-efficient lighting, as well as building 1,800 linear feet of additional berthing capacity, dredging of the waterfront and harbor channel, widening and reconstructing several piers, and elevating the piers by nine feet to mitigate the impacts of rising sea levels. “Much of what we consume in Hawaii is imported, and more than ninety percent moves through our harbors,” said Hawaii Department of Transportation Director Jade Butay. “In addition to Kapalama Container Terminal and our partnership with the Army Corps, we are grateful for the discretionary grant opportunities in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Invest. We appreciate Senator Hirono’s support as we work to maintain our state’s critical infrastructure.” Earlier this year, Senator Hirono urged the U.S. Maritime Administration to approve a $47 million grant for KCT to supplement efforts to improve efficiency, safety, and resiliency at the harbor. Last year, Senator Hirono also helped secure $800,000 in federal funding for the Army Corps of Engineers to do a feasibility study on navigation improvements in Honolulu Harbor and features that would make the harbor more resilient to natural disasters and sea level rise resulting from climate change, consistent with the HDOT’s 2050 Master Plan for the harbor. In August, Senator Hirono helped pass the Inflation Reduction Act, which established a new Grants to Reduce Air Pollution at Ports program at EPA, appropriating $3 billion available through 2026. The competitive grants will be available to purchase and install zero-emission port equipment and technology, as well as to help state agencies like HDOT develop ?climate action plans and carry out any planning or permitting associated with adopting zero-emissions technology. Last year, she helped pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), which invests more than $17 billion in port infrastructure and waterways. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:20:33Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-leads-16-colleagues-in-resolution-designating-asian-american-and-native-american-pacific-islander-serving-institutions-week,Hirono Leads 16 Colleagues in Resolution Designating Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Week,2022-09-30,2022,2022-09,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), introduced a resolution designating the week of September 26th through October 2nd, 2022 as Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISI) Week. The resolution recognizes the achievements and goals of AANAPISIs in their work to provide quality educational opportunities to students who attend their institutions, particularly Asian and Pacific Islander American (APIA) students, including Native Hawaiians. “Over the past fifteen years, the AANAPISI program has helped institutions across our country expand opportunities for APIA students,” said Senator Hirono. “They help build community by connecting students from diverse backgrounds, and provide culturally-competent supports, to help ensure students have the tools they need to succeed. I’ll continue working to support APIA students and the schools that serve them.” Congress created the AANAPISI program through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007 (P.L. 110-84), which Senator Hirono cosponsored as a then-member of the U.S. House of Representatives. To be designated as an AANAPISI, an institution must have an enrollment of undergraduate students that is at least 10 percent Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander students. AANAPISIs comprise six percent of all colleges and universities in the U.S., but enroll nearly half of all APIA students in the country. In 2022, there were nearly 200 AANAPISIs in the U.S. Since the program was established 15 years ago, it has provided grants and other assistance to AANAPISIs to improve and expand their capacity to continue to serve these students. In 2021, 32 AANAPISIs across the country received $9.6 million in grants. In addition to Senator Hirono, this resolution is cosponsored by Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Bob Casey (D-PA), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). The full text of the resolution can be found here. Senator Hirono has long advocated on behalf of APIA communities in Hawaii, the U.S., and Pacific Island nations and territories, and is a longstanding champion of programs to support Hawaii’s indigenous, Native Hawaiian community, especially in the areas of education, health, and housing. Additionally, for the last several years, Senator Hirono has led the Senate resolution recognizing May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. This past May, she also brought legislation to the Senator floor, that was signed into law by President Biden, establishing a commission to study the creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:08:33Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-led-legislation-to-protect-survivors-of-sexual-assault-and-harassment-passes-in-senate,Hirono-Led Legislation to Protect Survivors of Sexual Assault and Harassment Passes in Senate,2022-09-30,2022,2022-09,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. –Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, voted to pass the Speak Out Act, bipartisan, bicameral legislation she led with Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) to limit the enforceability of non-disclosure agreements and non-disparagement agreements (NDAs) where a sexual harassment or sexual assault dispute arises and survivors wish to break their silence. The legislation passed the Senate unanimously, and awaits action in the House of Representatives. “NDAs have been weaponized by employers, corporations, and others in power to cover up abuse and sexual misconduct,” said Senator Hirono. “The Speak Out Act empowers survivors to make the decision about whether to tell their story—a choice they have been denied for too long. Survivors should not be forced into silence and this bill will help them come forward. I’m glad to see this legislation pass unanimously in the Senate and I will keep working to get it passed in the House and signed into law.” Under current law, individuals and organizations can use NDAs to prevent survivors of sexual harassment or assault from speaking publicly about these incidents. The threat of legal retaliation creates and enables a culture of silence that allows predators to continue their illegal conduct, while their victims are forced out of their careers and the workforce entirely. Specifically, the Speak Out Act would: Prohibit the use of predispute NDAs between employers and current, former, and prospective employees, as well as independent contractors; Prohibit the use of predispute NDAs between providers of goods and services and consumers, and; Allow States to enact additional protections beyond the Speak Out Act’s protections—setting a floor not a ceiling for restricting NDA enforceability. The House companion bill was introduced by Representatives Lois Frankel (D-FL) and Ken Buck (R-CO). Senator Hirono is a strong advocate for survivors of sexual assault and harassment, and consistently works to advance legislation to protect survivors. She cosponsored the bipartisan Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act, which prevents perpetrators from being able to push survivors of sexual harassment and assault into the secretive, biased process of forced arbitration, and was signed into law earlier this year. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:08:33Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/video-hirono-colleagues-rally-with-servicemembers-and-veterans-to-defend-access-to-reproductive-care-amid-republicans-continued-attacks,"VIDEO: Hirono, Colleagues Rally with Servicemembers and Veterans to Defend Access to Reproductive Care Amid Republicans’ Continued Attacks",2022-09-30,2022,2022-09,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – As Republicans continue pushing to ban abortion nationwide and attack the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) historic action to provide abortion care for Veterans in certain circumstances, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, condemned Republicans’ barbaric efforts to restrict abortion. During a press conference with Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Patty Murray (D-WA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and U.S. Representative Veronica Escobar (D-TX), Senator Hirono reiterated her commitment to protecting reproductive rights for veterans and servicemembers so they can get the healthcare services they need when and where they need it. The lawmakers were also joined by members of #UniformAccess, a coalition of various advocacy groups for women Veterans. “The battles we thought we had won, such as our right to control our own bodies, do not stay won—that’s why we are all here, because the assault on women’s health continues,” said Senator Hirono during the press conference. “Female veterans’, across our country, right to abortion care is under assault. And, as some of the other speakers mentioned, it matters—our advocacy, our pointing things out, our asking for action to be taken, works.” Last week, Senator Hirono announced that, following a push she led as a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed in a legal opinion that VA has the legal authority to provide abortion services in cases of rape, incest, and the life or health of the patient. In July, Senator Hirono called upon the VA to take immediate administrative action to offer abortions and all abortion-related services to veterans and eligible dependents. Earlier this month, Senator Hirono also condemned Republican attacks on the Biden Administration’s landmark decision to allow the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to provide abortion care to veterans and their eligible dependents to protect the health and life of the woman and in cases of rape or incest. A full livestream of the press conference can be found here. A long-time champion for abortion access, Senator Hirono is committed to protecting the fundamental right to abortion care for all. In August, she introduced the Let Doctors Provide Reproductive Health Care Act to protect doctors against Republicans’ non-stop attacks and ensure they can safely provide abortion care in states where it is still legal. She also led a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services urging them to make medication abortion more easily accessible. In July, Senator Hirono introduced the Right to Contraception Act, as well as the Expanding Access to Family Planning Act, to protect access to critical reproductive health care services, like birth control, and cancer screenings. She also introduced the Freedom to Travel for Health Care Act of 2022, which clarifies that it is illegal for anti-choice states to limit travel for abortion services, and would empower impacted individuals to bring civil action against those who restrict a woman’s right to cross state lines to receive legal reproductive care. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:08:33Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-statement-on-fta-approval-of-harts-updated-recovery-plan,Schatz Statement On FTA Approval Of HART’s Updated Recovery Plan,2022-09-30,2022,2022-09,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, released the following statement after the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced it has approved the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit’s updated Recovery Plan. “We still have a long way to go, but this is an important step that recognizes the work HART and the city have done to provide more accountability and get this project back on track. I will continue to work with our federal and state partners to make sure that we complete this project for the people of Honolulu.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:08:33Z