#trump administration
Hirono co-sponsors bill to protect federal language access services
Hawaiʻi US Sen. Mazie Hirono has joined Sens. Andy Kim of New Jersey and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York in introducing legislation aimed at protecting language access requirements at federal agencies, a potentially impactful measure for Hawaiʻi’s large population of residents with limited English proficiency.
Hirono joins colleagues in demanding ICE halt actions against children
US Sen. Mazie K. Hirono of Hawaiʻi joined Sens. Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and eight colleagues in writing a letter urging the Trump Administration to halt enforcement actions against minors and develop policies aimed at protecting them.
US senators take aim at predatory student loan lenders
US Sen. Mazie Hirono and eight other senators released a report Friday revealing an investigation into how private student loan lenders may profit from federal student loan cuts included provisions in the Republican-backed “Big, Beautiful Bill.”
Congressional resolution introduced to protect abortion access for veterans
US Sen. Mazie Hirono joined a group of Democratic colleagues to introduce a resolution aimed at protecting abortion access for veterans, according to a news release from the senator’s office. Hirono and 14 other senators filed a Congressional Review Act resolution to overturn a recent Trump administration rule. The federal rule ends abortion counseling and […]
Trade wars take toll on Maui farmers and ranchers already battling deer and drought
Farmers and ranchers say prices have gone up after a year of Trump’s tariffs, making their operations even more costly on an island where everything has to be shipped or flown in.
Proposed federal LEAP Act would raise loan cap for graduate students
After the GOP spending bill slashed student loan limits for healthcare professionals, US Rep. Jill Tokuda of Hawai‘i and colleagues introduced the legislation to level the playing field.
Hirono joins US senators calling for staff restoration in Taxpayer Advocate Service
US Sen. Mazie Hirono and 24 of her colleagues are calling on the Trump administration to restore staffing levels at the Taxpayer Advocate Service, an independent office within the Internal Revenue Service that helps taxpayers resolve disputes and secure refunds. In a letter sent to Treasury Secretary and acting IRS Commissioner Scott Bessent, the lawmakers […]
Administration removes coffee tariffs following bipartisan effort led by Reps. Tokuda, Timmons
US Reps. Jill Tokuda (D-HI-02) and William Timmons (R-SC-04), co-chairs of the bipartisan Congressional Coffee Caucus had led a bipartisan letter earlier this year urging the administration to remove coffee from tariffs in an effort to protect American jobs and secure a stable supply chain for the US economy.
Maui Nui community steps up to help federal workers, SNAP recipients affected by government shutdown
Food boxes, donated meals and loan payment pauses have been geared toward helping folks afford over a month’s worth of lost paychecks and food stamps.
Judge temporarily halts Job Corps closures, reinstating staff and offering hope to Maui’s center
A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from shutting down more than 100 Job Corps centers nationwide — including the Maui Job Corps Center — offering a moment of relief for staff and students who just days ago were bracing for sudden closures.
Maui Council’s FY26 budget: Final vote looms amid shifting justifications, lingering questions
The budget pending second reading on Tuesday, has been reduced $9.4 million from the Budget Committee, but still $46 million more than the Bissen proposed budget. Once approved, the budget will go into effect July 1.
Schatz, Democrats call on HHS to restore Title X funding in 23 states
On April 1, the Trump administration began withholding full or partial Title X grants in the affected states, cutting all funds to Hawai‘i and impacting 23 states.
Hawaiʻi attorney general joins AG coalition seeking to unfreeze FEMA funding
Attorney General Anne Lopez has joined a coalition of 22 other attorneys general in filing a motion seeking a court order to force the Trump administration to unfreeze essential funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. In the motion, the coalition highlights that the Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services’ Disaster Case Management Program is being severely impacted […]
Rep. Tokuda to hold Town Halls across the state
US Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02) will begin a series of town halls in every county of Hawaiʻi next week, including Wailuku, Maui on March 18.
McKelvey and Tokuda push back against Trump Administration federal job cuts
State Sen. Angus McKelvey and US Rep. Jill Tokuda are rebuking the administration of President Donald Trump for the loss of thousands of federal jobs as part of an effort to shrink government bureaucracy.
Schatz presses Commerce Secretary nominee on census, NOAA protection, AI safety
At Wednesday’s Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee hearing for Secretary of Commerce nominee Howard Lutnick, US Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) pressed Lutnick on conducting a fair census count, protecting the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration from Project 2025 threats, consulting with Hawai‘i leaders on Pacific fisheries decisions and strengthening artificial intelligence safety.
UHERO: Hawaiʻi’s economic expansion continues, but slowly
Despite steady local forecast path so far, Hawaiʻi’s economic outlook becomes unclear as federal policy changes loom with incoming Trump Administration introducing broad uncertainty.
US Attorney Kenji M. Price Resigns
US Attorney for the District of Hawaiʻi, Kenji M. Price announced his resignation today.
Connors Joins Effort to Continue Food Assistance
Hawaiʻi Attorney General Clare E. Connors joined a group of 20 Attorneys General and New York City in a lawsuit to stop the Trump administration from eliminating food assistance for nearly 700,000 Americans.
Hirono Opposes Changes to Environmental Rules
Sen. Mazie K. Hirono and more than 150 Congressional Democrats called on the Trump Administration to extend the deadline for public comment on a proposed “weakening” of environmental regulations.