U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) has led a group of 13 Senate colleagues in reintroducing a resolution to designate September 22-28, 2025 as Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISI) Week. The initiative aims to recognize the role these institutions play in expanding access to higher education for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander students.
Senator Hirono emphasized the significance of this recognition amid recent federal funding cuts. “During AANAPISI Week, we celebrate Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions nationwide and the important work they do for our communities,” said Senator Hirono. “As this administration actively works to strip hundreds of millions of dollars in grant funding from these important institutions, it is more critical than ever that we reaffirm our commitment to supporting them. I am proud to join my colleagues in reintroducing this resolution to recognize the importance of AANAPISIs and the role they play in supporting students—expanding opportunities for our youth, while uplifting and connecting students from diverse backgrounds in Hawaii and across the country.”
The AANAPISI program was established under the 2007 College Cost Reduction and Access Act to provide grants that help colleges expand their capacity to serve all students, with a focus on those who are low-income or first-generation college attendees. Currently, AANAPISIs enroll nearly half of all undergraduate students from Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander backgrounds in the United States. These institutions also confer over half of associate degrees and almost 45 percent of bachelor’s degrees earned by these student groups.
The renewed resolution follows actions by the Trump administration that rescinded $350 million previously approved by Congress for Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), which include AANAPISIs as well as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions (ANNHSIs), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs). According to Senator Hirono’s office, more than $18 million was cut specifically from AANAPISIs, affecting support services for students and leading to potential staff layoffs.
In addition to Senator Hirono’s leadership on this issue, other senators cosponsoring the resolution include Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Tina Smith (D-MN), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Ron Wyden (D-OR). Companion legislation has been introduced in the House by Representatives Judy Chu (D-CA), Mark Takano (D-CA), and Grace Meng (D-NY).
Senator Hirono has previously advocated for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities through various legislative efforts. In May, she introduced a bill promoting teaching about these communities’ histories in schools nationwide as well as mental health awareness initiatives tied to National Mental Health Awareness Month.
