Latest News from Big Island Times

Senator Hirono opposes Kash Patel's nomination as FBI Director

U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono has voted against the confirmation of Kash Patel as the next Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

By Big Island Times | Feb 20, 2025

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Korematsu-Takai Act reintroduced by lawmakers on WWII incarceration anniversary

On the anniversary of Executive Order 9066, U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono and Tammy Duckworth, along with U.S. Representative Mark Takano, have reintroduced the Korematsu-Takai Civil Liberties Protection Act.

Resolution celebrates Mahina Olelo Hawaii

U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono and Brian Schatz, along with U.S. Representatives Ed Case and Jill Tokuda, have introduced a resolution in celebration of Mahina Olelo Hawaii, also known as Hawaiian Language Month.

Senators urge Trump not to cut Medicare and Medicaid

U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono, alongside Senators Ed Markey, Elizabeth Warren, and 29 other colleagues, has addressed a letter to President Trump expressing strong opposition to potential cuts to Medicare and Medicaid.

Hoapili Hale closes temporarily due to water service interruption

The Second Circuit courthouse, Hoapili Hale in Wailuku, Hawaii, has been closed due to a temporary water service interruption.

Community-built comfort station approved for Hā‘ena State Park

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) has received approval from the Land Board for a community-built comfort station at Hā‘ena State Park.

Senators challenge Trump administration over NIH funding cuts

U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono, alongside Senator Patty Murray and the Senate Democratic Caucus, has raised concerns over recent actions by the Trump Administration that they claim threaten America's biomedical research infrastructure.

Senators question Musk's agency over access to disaster victims' personal data

U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono, along with Senators Alex Padilla, Peter Welch, and nine other colleagues from states affected by disasters, have sought clarification from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) regarding a potential security...

Former nonprofit executive charged with fraud and theft totaling over $81K

On February 14, 2025, Moanaoio Bjur was indicted by the O‘ahu Grand Jury on charges including Computer Fraud in the First Degree, Theft in the First Degree, Computer Fraud in the Second Degree, and Theft in the Second Degree.

Adaptive ocean sports group gains new storage at Ala Wai harbor

The Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) has approved a permit allowing AccesSurf, an adaptive ocean sports program, to use space at the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor for storage and parking.

Woman cited for entering closed Sacred Falls State Park

A woman has been cited for entering Sacred Falls State Park, a location closed under the Division of State Parks Administrative Rules.

Kaua’i uses innovative mosquito release strategy to protect endangered forest birds

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) has initiated a novel approach to protect Kaua'i's endangered forest birds by releasing mosquitoes.

Bipartisan bill introduced to study wildfire mitigation through wildlife grazing

U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono, along with Senators Alex Padilla, Jerry Moran, and James Lankford, has introduced the Wildfire Resilience Through Grazing Research Act.

Bipartisan bill introduced to train cosmetologists on domestic violence awareness

U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono has joined a group of bipartisan senators to introduce the Supporting the Abused by Learning Options to Navigate Survivor (SALONS) Stories Act.

Senators question defense spending on border troop deployment

U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono and Elizabeth Warren have raised concerns about the Department of Defense's (DOD) recent operations related to immigration enforcement at the southern border and Naval Station Guantanamo Bay.

Paradise Supermart reopens after meeting health department requirements

The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) Maui Food Safety Branch has permitted Paradise Supermart Fast Food & Catering to resume operations.

Attorneys general respond to Vice President Vance’s comments on judicial review

Attorney General Anne Lopez has issued a joint statement, supported by 17 state attorneys general, in response to Vice President Vance's remarks on judicial review made on February 9, 2025.

Hirono introduces bill to raise minimum age for buying assault weapons

On the anniversary of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) has introduced a bill aimed at raising the minimum age for purchasing assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition...