Politics News
Attorney General Anne Lopez joins coalition urging ban on menthol cigarettes, flavored cigars
Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez, along with nearly two dozen other attorneys general, has submitted a letter to the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) concerning the administration's review of a proposed rule to ban menthol flavored cigarettes and flavored cigars. The letter implores the administration to promptly enact the public health regulation proposed in 2022.
US Sen. Mazie Hirono speaks out about the renomination of Julie Su for Secretary of Labor
Following President Joe Biden's renomination of Julie Su for the position of U.S. Secretary of Labor, Sen. Mazie Hirono has issued a statement in support. The senator has previously advocated for Su's confirmation to this role.
Latest News
US Sen. Hirono, others push for US supplemental aid to comply with US and other laws
By Big Island Times | Dec 8, 2023
Senator Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), along with a dozen of her Senate colleagues, announced an amendment stipulating that any country receiving weapons from the U.S. must use them in accordance with U.S. law, international humanitarian law, and the law of armed conflict. The amendment also mandates a report to Congress detailing which countries receiving military aid are meeting these criteria.
US Senators Hirono and Schatz vote for confirmation of Shanlyn Park to the US District Court for Hawaii
By Big Island Times | Nov 30, 2023
Judge Shanlyn A.S. Park has been confirmed by a 53-45 vote to serve as a federal judge for the U.S. District Court in the District of Hawaii, with bipartisan support from both Republicans and Democrats. Judge Park comes to her new role with a diverse legal background that includes state court experience, work with several law firms, and service in the Office of the Federal Public Defender for the District of Hawaii.
Governor Green: "Maui and the Big Island both experienced significant fires."
By Big Island Times Report | Aug 11, 2023
President Biden has approved disaster relief funding to assist the community in the aftermath of the Maui and Big Island fires.
Senator Hirono: 'This legislation will require funding be provided for critical special education services and eliminate barriers'
By Big Island Times Report | Jul 17, 2023
Mazie Hirono is at the forefront of a group of more than 80 lawmakers across the country now pushing legislation calling on Congress to honor its commitment to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) on July 13th. The Act would increase funding for pupils with disabilities in public schools across the nation.
Hirono marks second anniversary of COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, says legislation was important step in ending 'senseless violence'
By Big Island Times Report | May 25, 2023
Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) is marking the two-year anniversary of the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act signed into law by President Joe Biden as a critical time in the fight to keep Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities safe.
Schatz introduces bill to protect student veterans and help them ‘recoup their benefits’
By Tamara Browning | May 21, 2023
U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota) reintroduced a bill on May 13 that would improve access to higher education information and restore benefits for military veterans.
Senator Hirono: 'It's crucial our veterans are able to access life insurance plans that keep pace with rising costs'
By Big Island Times Report | May 9, 2023
U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), introduced a bill that would help ensure life insurance packages for service members and veterans that account for increases in cost of living and inflation.
Hawaii senator: 'For too long, the debt ceiling has been weaponized in attempts to advance ideological agendas'
By Big Island Times Report | Apr 29, 2023
U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) is among the lawmakers in Washington advocating legislation to avoid debt default by removing the United States Treasury borrowing limit.
Hirono: 'Today’s decision is the latest blow in the right’s all-out assault on women’s bodily autonomy.'
By Big Island Times Report | Apr 17, 2023
Sen. Maxie Hirono Maxie Hirono spoke against a U.S. District Court Judge’s decision to effectively ban the drug most commonly prescribed for medication abortion nationwide on April 7.
Hawaii legislators urge National Park Service to help save 'irreplaceable' birds from extinction
By Big Island Times Report | Mar 28, 2023
A group of Hawaii legislators has written a letter to the director of the National Park Service (NPS), imploring the agency to make protecting critically endangered Native Hawaiian forest birds a priority.
Hawaiian senator applauds Biden’s budget as 'investment in people and families'
By Big Island Times Report | Mar 15, 2023
U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI) has publicly supported President Joe Biden's $6.8 trillion budget proposal, calling it "an investment in people and families" from all parts of the United States.
Hirono plans to seek third term in U.S. Senate
By Big Island Times Report | Feb 24, 2023
U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono will seek a third consecutive term when she runs for re-election in 2024, according to those close to her campaign.
Community leaders back effort in Hawaii Legislature to make LGBTQ+ community 'feel safe, confident and proud'
By Emily Bevard | Feb 15, 2023
As Hawaii House and Senate leaders have introduced a historic number of LGBTQ+ friendly measures in the state Legislature this session, community groups hope to see a continued strengthening of the community’s rights and extensions of protection for further safety.
Ige travels to Japan to promote tourism, education
By George Willis | Oct 31, 2022
Hawaii Gov. David Ige has traveled to Japan to promote sustainable tourism, participate in an education roundtable, and attend a sister-state fifth anniversary reception.
Schatz: Funding needed to 'understand and appreciate native Hawaiian culture'
By George Willis | Oct 20, 2022
Seven organizations with a mission to preserve and share native Hawaiian culture and traditions will share $1 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Interior.
Kahele: 'Equal opportunity is impossible without equal access to high-speed, reliable internet'
By George Willis | Aug 19, 2022
U.S. Sen. Mazie K. Hirono, D-Hawaii, is among a group of legislators urging the Federal Communications Commission to explore options to give Native communities access to the internet.
Hirono: 'I am glad we’ve finally passed this critical bill' for veteran health care
By George Willis | Aug 10, 2022
Sen. Mazie K. Hirono, D-Hawaii, vowed to get veterans the health care they deserve with the passage of the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act.
Hirono: ‘[Access to contraception] is not "pure hysteria" to ... millions of women across the country'
By Laurie A. Luebbert | Aug 3, 2022
Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI) recently asked GOP lawmakers to support legislation that she introduced.