State’s Businesses Welcomed to DC for Hawaiʻi on the Hill

Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi President Sherry Menor-McNamara and Sen. Hirono listen to Kauai Coffee Company engineer Dan Momohara as he discusses the finer points of producing locally-grown coffee. Courtesy photo.

By Maui Now Staff

Sen. Mazie K. Hirono will welcome Hawaiʻi businesses to the US Capitol this week for the second annual Hawaiʻi on the Hill. Hosted by Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi, the event consists of the Hawaiʻi on the Hill Policy Summit and Taste of Hawaiʻi on Capitol Hill reception.

In 2014, 50 Hawaiʻi businesses participated in the two-day event and approximately 1,000 people attended the Taste of Hawaiʻi.

“This week, I will welcome over 100 Hawaiʻi residents that have traveled nearly 5,000 miles to represent Hawaiʻi businesses and showcase Hawaiʻi’s food, culture and industries,” said Sen. Hirono. “For the second annual Hawaiʻi on the Hill, I’m proud to team up with the Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi to share so many great things that our state has to offer, including spam musubi, pineapple, coffee, chocolate and more.

Sen. Hirono cuts a pattern for a shirt with designer Allison Izu at High Technology Development Corporation/Cut Collective. Courtesy photo.

“But it’s not all food,” Sen. Hirono continued. “Representatives from our energy, manufacturing, defense, technology, health, higher education, military, transportation, agriculture, technology, insurance and tourism industries will also attend the Taste of Hawaiʻi on Capitol Hill and the Hawaiʻi on the Hill Policy Summit to highlight the wide variety of industries in our island state.

“This week will focus on how as the gateway to the Asia-Pacific, Hawaiʻi is so much more than a visitor destination—we are an integral part of our national security, a stronghold for renewable energy innovation and a place where some of our country’s best produce is grown,” Sen. Hirono concluded.

“The Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi is proud to lead the effort to bring Hawaiʻi to Washington, DC, for the second annual Hawaiʻi on the Hill,” said Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi President Sherry Menor-McNamara. “The Hawaiʻi-based companies that will be in Washington this week are diverse and ready to share our aloha spirit across the world.

“The Hawaiʻi on the Hill Policy Summit and Taste of Hawaiʻi on Capitol Hill are great opportunities for Hawaiʻi businesses and our state as a whole, to interface with Congressional leaders and industry representatives and showcase our state’s pride, melting pot cuisine, customs, industries and ideas,” said Menor-McNamara.

Sen. Hirono and Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi President Sherry Menor-McNamara are briefed on hydrogen fuel cells by HCATT Director Stan Osserman. Courtesy photo.

During Wednesday’s Hawaiʻi on the Hill Policy Summit, Hawaiʻi businesses will have discussions with US senators, administration officials, and industry experts on a variety of topics including small business development, defense, homelessness and more.

At the Taste of Hawaiʻi on Capitol Hill, nearly 50 Hawaiʻi companies will showcase their products and services to members of Congress, administration officials, and the Washington community.

More than 330 boxes of goods will be shipped nearly 5,000 miles from Hawaiʻi to Washington, including pineapple, papaya, Hawaiian-style ahi poke, kalua pork, coffee, chocolates, and more.

Additionally, Hawaiʻi musicians Willie K and Amy Hanaialiʻi will perform at the event.

Over the past several months, Sen. Hirono and Menor-McNamara traveled across Oʻahu and Kauaʻi visiting local businesses participating in this year’s Hawaiʻi on the Hill.

Hawaiʻi’s KHON and KITV recapped the visits and previewed this year’s Hawaiʻi on the Hill.