Mazie Hirono

Mazie Hirono was born on November 3, 1947, in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan to Laura Chie Satō, a Japanese American, and Hirono Matabe, a Japanese veteran of World War II. Laura decided to return to Hawaii with Mazie and one of Mazie's brothers in March 1955. Hirono never saw her father again before he died.{{cite news|url=http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2002/Sep/04/ln/ln08a.html|title=Mazie Hirono: From poverty to quiet power| last=Dayton |first=Kevin|newspaper=Honolulu Advertiser |date=September 4, 2002 |access-date=September 23, 2012}}

Laura became a newspaper proofreader in 1961 and retired from the Hawaii Newspaper Agency in 1986.{{cite news |url=http://archives.starbulletin.com/1999/05/08/news/story5.html |title=Lieutenant governor reflects on the 'bookends' of her life |newspaper=Honolulu Star-Bulletin |author=Rod Ohira |date=May 8, 1999 |access-date=January 1, 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?gl=allgs&gsfn=Tari&gsln=Sato&gss=seo&ghc=20 |title=Tari Sato |publisher=Ancestry.com |access-date=January 1, 2013}}

Raised in Honolulu, Hirono became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1959.{{cite web |url=http://www.nationaljournal.com/congress-legacy/hawaii-senate-20121101|title=Hawaii, Senate – Mazie Hirono |work=NationalJournal.com |access-date=April 10, 2015}} She graduated from Kaimuki High School, which had a predominantly Japanese American student body at the time. Hirono then enrolled at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa, graduating Phi Beta Kappa with a B.A. in psychology in 1970.{{cite web |url=http://www.biography.com/people/mazie-hirono-21132407 |title=Mazie Hirono Biography |website=Biography.com |publisher=A&E Television Networks |date=August 19, 2015}} She later attended Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C., where she obtained her juris doctor degree in 1978. Hirono then returned to Honolulu, where she practiced law.{{cite news|title=Mazie Keiko Hirono|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/elections/candidates/mazie-keiko-hirono-1594/|access-date=July 29, 2017|agency=Washington Times}}

In 1980, Hirono was elected to Hawaii's 12th House district in a multi-member district with Democratic State Representative David Hagino.{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=626372 |title=HI State House 12 Race |publisher=Our Campaigns |date=November 4, 1980 |access-date=June 3, 2012}} Hawaii eliminated multi-member districts, and after redistricting she ran for Hawaii's 20th House district and won.{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=626408 |title=HI State House 20 Race |publisher=Our Campaigns |date=November 2, 1982 |access-date=June 3, 2012}} After redistricting again in 1984, she ran successfully for the newly redrawn 32nd House District.{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=626477 |title=HI State House 32 Race |publisher=Our Campaigns |date=November 6, 1984 |access-date=June 3, 2012}} In 1992, after redistricting, she ran one last time in the newly redrawn 22nd House district. She easily won the three-candidate Democratic primary with 91% of the vote.{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=735967 |title=HI State House 22 – D Primary Race |publisher=Our Campaigns |date=September 19, 1992 |access-date=June 3, 2012}} She won the general election and served only one term in the 22nd district before retiring in 1994 to run for statewide office.{{cite web |url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=626593 |title=HI State House 22 Race |publisher=Our Campaigns |date=November 3, 1992 |access-date=June 3, 2012}}

Hirono served in the Hawaii House of Representatives from 1981 to 1994, sponsoring many bills that became state law.

From 1987 to 1992, she was Chair of the Consumer Protection and Commerce Committee.{{Cite web|title=About Mazie {{!}} Mazie K. Hirono – A Voice for Hawai'i in the U.S. Senate|url=https://www.hirono.senate.gov/about|access-date=August 3, 2020|website=www.hirono.senate.gov|language=en}}

Hirono ran for lieutenant governor of Hawaii and won the Democratic primary, defeating fellow State Representative Jackie Young 65%–26%.{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=626418 |title=HI Lt. Governor – D Primary Race |publisher=Our Campaigns |date=September 17, 1994 |access-date=June 3, 2012}} In the general election she defeated three other candidates: Danny Kaniela Kaleikini (Best Party), State Representative Fred Hemmings (Republican Party), and Jack Morse (Green Party), 37%–31%–29%–4%.{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=29003 |title=HI Lt. Governor Race |publisher=Our Campaigns |date=November 8, 1994 |access-date=June 3, 2012}}

Hirono ran for reelection in 1998. She defeated Nancy Cook in the primary with 89% of the vote to Cook's 11%.{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=626410 |title=HI Lt. Governor – D Primary Race |publisher=Our Campaigns |date=September 19, 1998 |access-date=June 3, 2012}} In the general election, Hirono defeated Republican State Senator Stan Koki, 50%–49%, a margin of only 5,254 votes.{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=28999 |title=HI Lt. Governor Race |publisher=Our Campaigns |date=November 3, 1998 |access-date=June 3, 2012}}

The election of the Democratic ticket was historic for both candidates. Ben Cayetano was the first Filipino American elected governor, and Hirono was the first Japanese immigrant to be elected lieutenant governor.

During her tenure as lieutenant governor, Hirono was president of the National Commission on Teaching, America's Future, and the Hawaii Policy Group. She also spearheaded the Pre-Plus program, a first-in-the-nation comprehensive universal preschool education program.{{Citation needed|date=August 2020}}

{{Main|2002 Hawaii gubernatorial election}}

Hirono originally planned to run for mayor of Honolulu in a potential 2002 special election created by the vacancy of incumbent Mayor Jeremy Harris, who was planning to resign to run for governor of Hawaii. But due to internal controversies, Harris dropped out of the gubernatorial election and remained mayor for another two years. Hirono switched races.

Hirono worked to gain the support of Hawaii Democrats in her primary against former State House Majority Leader Ed Case. After polling almost equally throughout the race, Hirono defeated Case in the September 21 Democratic primary with 41% of the vote to Case's 40%, a margin of 2,613 votes.{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=249 |title=HI Governor – D Primary Race |publisher=Our Campaigns |date=September 21, 2002 |access-date=June 3, 2012}}{{cite news |last=Borreca |first=Richard |title=The race is on |newspaper=Honolulu Star-Bulletin |date=September 23, 2002 |url=http://archives.starbulletin.com/2002/09/23/news/index1.html |access-date=June 24, 2010}}{{cite web |title=2002 Primary Election Results (Statewide Summary) |author=State of Hawaii Office of Elections |date=September 28, 2002 |url=http://hawaii.gov/elections/results/2002/primary/02swpri5.pdf |access-date=June 24, 2010}}

In the general election, Republican nominee and Maui Mayor Linda Lingle defeated Hirono 52–47%, becoming Hawaii's first female governor.{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=36 |title=HI Governor Race |publisher=Our Campaigns |date=November 5, 2002 |access-date=June 3, 2012}}{{cite news |last=Borreca |first=Richard |title=Big responsibility| date=November 6, 2002 |newspaper=Honolulu Star-Bulletin |url=http://archives.starbulletin.com/2002/11/06/news/index1.html |access-date=June 24, 2010}}

File:Mazie Hirono, official 110th Congress photo.jpg

{{Main|2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Hawaii#District 2}}

On September 23, Hirono ran to represent {{ushr|Hawaii|2|}} in the House of Representatives after incumbent Ed Case chose not to seek another term. The Democratic primary was crowded and very competitive. There were ten candidates, seven of whom served in the Hawaii Legislature. Hirono's advantage was that she was the only candidate who had held statewide office and, as a result, had the most name recognition. She led in fundraising, helped by the endorsement of EMILY's List.{{cite news |first=Carrie |last=Giddins |url=http://www.emilyslist.org/newsroom/releases/20060614.html |title=Emily's list announces endorsement of Mazie Hirono for Hawaii's 2nd congressional District |access-date=June 14, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060623094457/http://www.emilyslist.org/newsroom/releases/20060614.html |archive-date=June 23, 2006 }} She won with a plurality of 22% of the vote. State Senator Colleen Hanabusa finished second with 21%, 845 votes short of Hirono.{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=277648 |title=HI District 2 – D Primary Race |publisher=Our Campaigns |date=September 23, 2006 |access-date=June 3, 2012}}{{cite web |first=Rachel |last=Kapochunas |url=http://www.cqpolitics.com/2006/09/akaka_survives_challenge_from.html |title=Akaka Survives Challenge from Case in Hawaii Democratic Primary |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013183758/http://www.cqpolitics.com/2006/09/akaka_survives_challenge_from.html |archive-date=October 13, 2007 |publisher=cqpolitics.com |access-date=September 24, 2006 |url-status=dead}}

In the general election Hirono defeated Republican State Senator Bob Hogue, 61%–39%.{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=206840 |title=HI – District 02 Race |publisher=Our Campaigns |date=November 7, 2006 |access-date=June 3, 2012}}

{{Main|2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Hawaii#District 2}}

Hirono won reelection to a second term with 76% of the vote.{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=387954 |title=HI – District 02 Race |publisher=Our Campaigns |date=November 4, 2008 |access-date=June 3, 2012}}

{{Main|2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Hawaii#District 2}}

Hirono won reelection to a third term with 72% of the vote.{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=488778 |title=HI – District 02 Race |publisher=Our Campaigns |date=November 2, 2010 |access-date=June 3, 2012}}

In 2008, the national preschool advocacy organization named Hirono "Pre-K Champion" for her efforts to pass pre-kindergarten legislation.{{cite news|title=Rep. Mazie Hirono|url=http://www.politico.com/arena/bio/rep_mazie_hirono_.html|access-date=August 14, 2014|publisher=Politico}}

Hirono co-sponsored the Prevention First Act of 2007. The act aimed to increase public access to contraception and government funding to support the use of contraception.{{cite web |title=Mazie Hirono on Abortion |publisher=On the Issues |access-date=November 19, 2012 |url=http://www.ontheissues.org/house/Mazie_Hirono_Abortion.htm }} It places an emphasis on informing and protecting women from unintended pregnancy.

On May 4, 2011, Hirono voted against the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, which would have prohibited federal health care programs from covering abortion costs, with exceptions for life-threatening cases.

In July 2011, Hirono voted for the Access to Birth Control Act, which mandates that pharmacies provide birth control to customers without undue delay. The ABP Act also ensures that customers seeking birth control can obtain it without being submitted to unwanted harassment or breaches in patient confidentiality.

EMILY's List, a Democratic pro-choice action committee, pledged support to Hirono for her history of supporting contraceptive and abortion policies during her term. The endorsement helped Hirono in her 2012 senatorial race, contributing $129,714 to her campaign.{{cite web |title=Sen. Mazie K. Hirono: Campaign Finance/Money |url=http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.php?cid=N00028139 | publisher=OpenSecrets}}{{Cite news|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/senate-races/95066-emilys-list-backs-rep-hirono-in-hawaii-senate-primary/|title=EMILY's List backs Rep. Hirono in Hawaii Senate primary|last=Strauss|first=Daniel|date=June 28, 2011|work=TheHill|access-date=May 19, 2018}}

• Committee on Education and the Workforce
• Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education
• Subcommittee on Workforce Protections
• Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
• Subcommittee on Aviation
• Subcommittee on Highways and Transit
• Subcommittee on the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation
• Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.

• Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus{{cite web|title=Members|url=https://capac-chu.house.gov/members|publisher=Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus|access-date=May 17, 2018}}
• Congressional Bike Caucus
• Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues
• Congressional Lantos Human Rights Commission
• Congressional Labor and Working Families Caucus
• Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus
• Congressional National Parks Caucus
• Congressional Progressive Caucus
• Congressional Wildlife Refuge Caucus
• House Oceans Caucus
• House Rural Health Care Coalition
• International Conservation Caucus
• National Marine Sanctuary Caucus
• National Service Caucus
• Port Security Caucus
• Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus
• Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition

{{Main|2012 United States Senate election in Hawaii}}

In 2011, incumbent U.S. Senator Daniel Akaka announced his retirement at the end of his term in 2013. Subsequently, on May 19, 2011, Hirono announced her candidacy for Akaka's seat.{{cite news| last=DePledge | first=Derrick | title=Hirono to run for U.S. Senate | date=May 20, 2011 | newspaper=Honolulu Star-Advertiser |url=http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/20110520_hirono_to_run_for_USSenate.html | access-date=June 18, 2011}} She won the Democratic primary election on August 11, 2012.{{cite web|title=Election Results|publisher=Office of Elections, State of Hawaii|url=http://hawaii.gov/elections/results/|access-date=December 5, 2010}} Hirono was endorsed as one of the Dean Dozen, a group of candidates chosen for their progressive values by Democracy for America, an organization founded by former Vermont governor Howard Dean. The Republican nominee was former Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle, who had defeated Hirono a decade earlier in the gubernatorial election. Hirono defeated Lingle with 63% of the vote.{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|title=Hirono defeats Lingle in Senate race|url=http://www.staradvertiser.com/electionspremium/2012/ussenate/20121106_Hirono_defeats_Lingle_in_US_Senate_race_in_Hawaii.html|access-date=November 7, 2012|newspaper=Honolulu Star Advertiser|date=November 6, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121113225958/http://www.staradvertiser.com/electionspremium/2012/ussenate/20121106_Hirono_defeats_Lingle_in_US_Senate_race_in_Hawaii.html|archive-date=November 13, 2012}} She is the first female senator from Hawaii, as well as the first Asian-born immigrant to be elected to the U.S. Senate.{{cite news|title=Hirono Becomes First U.S. Senator Born in Japan|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/japanrealtime/2012/11/06/japanese-born-woman-set-to-make-u-s-election-history/|access-date=November 7, 2012|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|date=November 6, 2012|first=Yoree|last=Koh}} She was a part of the first completely non-Christian congressional delegation from the state, which existed until the election of Mark Takai (an Episcopalian) in 2014 as the representative for Hawaii's 1st congressional district.{{Cite news|url=http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/03/21/majority-of-states-have-all-christian-congressional-delegations/|title=Majority of states have all-Christian congressional delegations|date=March 21, 2017|work=Pew Research Center|access-date=May 19, 2018|first=Aleksandra|last=Sandstrom}}

In the 2012 campaign, Hirono raised $5.2 million, with approximately 52% raised from large corporations. Lingle raised $5.5 million, with 74% from large corporations. Hirono spent $5 million and Lingle $4.8 million.{{Cite web|url=https://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary?cycle=2012&id=his2|title=Hawaii Senate 2012 Race|date=December 31, 2012|website=OpenSecrets|access-date=May 19, 2018}}

{{Main|2018 United States Senate election in Hawaii}}

On November 6, 2018, Hirono was reelected with 71.2% of the vote, defeating Republican Ron Curtis.{{cite web |url=https://elections.hawaii.gov/wp-content/results/histatewide.pdf |title=General Election 2018 Final Summary Report |date=November 13, 2018 |website=State of Hawaii |access-date=November 18, 2018 }}

{{Main|2024 United States Senate election in Hawaii}}

Hirono was elected to a third term in 2024.{{cite web |last1=Blair |first1=Chad |title=Hirono Posts Solid Fundraising Numbers In Reelection Bid |url=https://www.civilbeat.org/2024/02/hirono-posts-solid-fundraising-numbers-in-reelection-bid/ |website=Civil Beat |date=February 2, 2024 |access-date=2 February 2024}}

On December 12, 2012, the Senate Democratic Steering Committee announced that Hirono would serve on the Senate Judiciary Committee, which would give her influence on matters ranging from approving nominations of federal judges to setting criminal justice policy.

During the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court nomination hearings in September 2018, Hirono was an outspoken defender of Christine Blasey Ford after Ford accused Kavanaugh of sexual assault, telling men to "shut up and step up. Do the right thing for a change."{{cite news |last=Jalonick |first=Mary Claire |title=Call for men to 'step up' puts Sen. Hirono in the spotlight |url=https://www.apnews.com/2540edad251549d5b0b19333e3f36ef3 |work=Associated Press |date=September 21, 2018}}{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2018/09/19/mazie-hirono-condemns-treatment-christine-blasey-ford/1355441002/ |title=Sen. Mazie Hirono to men: 'Just shut up and step up' |newspaper=USA Today |date=September 19, 2018 |first=William |last=Cummings |access-date=October 6, 2018 }}{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/18/politics/senator-mazie-hirono-men-shut-up-brett-kavanaugh-sexual-assault/ |title=Sen. Hirono's message to men: 'Just shut up and step up. Do the right thing.' |date=September 18, 2018 |first=Kate |last=Sullivan |publisher=CNN |access-date=November 18, 2018 }} She also said in an NPR interview before Kavanaugh's confirmation hearings that she could vote to confirm him "if he turns miraculously into a Sotomayor".{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/2018/07/10/627782761/sen-mazie-hirono-weighs-in-on-upcoming-confirmation-hearing-for-brett-Kavanaugh |title=Sen. Mazie Hirono Weighs In On Upcoming Confirmation Hearing For Brett Kavanaugh |date=July 10, 2018 |work=NPR |access-date=August 17, 2024}}

In the wake of the January 6 United States Capitol attack, Hirono called for the resignation of Senators Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley for their opposition to certifying the 2020 presidential election Electoral College count.{{cite news |last1=Churchill |first1=Owen |title=US lawmakers say two senators must resign for actions leading to siege |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3116870/us-lawmakers-say-senators-ted-cruz-and-josh-hawley-should-resign-actions |access-date=January 8, 2021 |work=South China Morning Post |date=January 8, 2021 |language=en}} She also called for the Twenty-fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution to be invoked to remove Donald Trump from office.{{cite news |last1=Gutierrez |first1=Ben |title=Hawaii's congressional delegation backs effort to remove Trump from office |url=https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2021/01/07/members-hawaii-congressional-delegation-say-trump-must-be-removed-office/ |access-date=January 8, 2021 |work=Hawaii News Now |date=January 7, 2021}}

In April 2021, Hirono sponsored a bill attempting to decrease hate crimes against Asian Americans due to xenophobia associated with COVID-19. The bill passed the Senate 94–1, with only Hawley opposing it.{{cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2021/04/22/hate-crime-bill-passes-senate-484245|title=Senate passes anti-Asian American hate crime bill|first=Nicholas|last=Wu|date=April 22, 2021|newspaper=Politico}}

In July 2022, Hirono co-sponsored the Youth Voting Rights Act, comprehensive legislation to enforce the Twenty-Sixth Amendment and expand youth access to voting. This legislation, led by Senator Elizabeth Warren, was also introduced in the House by Representative Nikema Williams.{{Cite web |title=Hirono joins colleagues in introducing legislation to expand youth access to voting {{!}} Maui Now |url=https://mauinow.com/2022/07/12/hirono-joins-colleagues-in-introducing-legislation-to-expand-youth-access-to-voting/ |access-date=2022-07-17 |website={{!}} Hirono joins colleagues in introducing legislation to expand youth access to voting}}

File:NoMuslimBanEver 4250097.jpg Ever" rally outside the Supreme Court, April 2018]]

• Committee on Armed Services
• Subcommittee on Personnel
• Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support (Chair)
• Subcommittee on Seapower
• Committee on Energy and Natural Resources{{Cite news |url=http://bigislandnow.com/2019/02/12/sen-hirono-secures-important-hawaii-priorities-2/|title=Sen. Hirono Secures Important Hawai'i Priorities|date=February 12, 2019|work=Big Island Now|access-date=March 19, 2019}}
• Subcommittee on Energy
• Subcommittee on National Parks
• Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining
• Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship
• Committee on the Judiciary
• Subcommittee on Competition Policy, Antitrust and Consumer Rights
• Subcommittee on Federal Courts, Oversight, Agency Action and Federal Rights
• Subcommittee on Intellectual Property
• Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology and the Law
• Committee on Veterans' Affairs

• Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, Executive Board Member
• Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus{{cite web|title=Members|url=http://www.ng911institute.org/about-the-congressional-nextgen-9-1-1-caucus|publisher=Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus|access-date=June 14, 2018|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142643/http://www.ng911institute.org/about-the-congressional-nextgen-9-1-1-caucus|url-status=dead}}
• Congressional Study Group on Japan, Co-Chair
• Creative Rights Caucus, Co-Chair
• Senate Army Caucus
• Senate Climate Change Task Force
• Senate Impact Aid Coalition, Co-Chair
• Senate Law Enforcement Caucus
• Senate Oceans Caucus
• Expand Social Security Caucus

File:U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono at the 2019 Stop the Bans Rally.jpg

According to On the Issues, Hirono's voting history places her in the "left/liberal" camp.{{cite web |title=Mazie Hirono on the Issues |publisher=On the Issues |access-date=November 18, 2018 |url=http://www.ontheissues.org/house/Mazie_Hirono.htm }} The American Conservative Union gave her a 2% lifetime conservative rating in 2020.{{Cite web|title=Lawmakers|url=http://ratings.conservative.org/people?search=Mazie%20Hirono}}

Hirono has a 100% rating from Reproductive Freedom for All (formerly NARAL Pro-Choice America). She has also been consistently endorsed by EMILY's List, an organization that endorses women running on pro-choice platforms.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ontheissues.org/social/Mazie_Hirono_Abortion.htm|title=Mazie Hirono on Abortion |website=www.ontheissues.org|access-date=January 23, 2019}} At a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Hirono told the panel: "If you don't support abortion, don't get one, but leave everyone else to the painful decisions they have to make along with their physicians".{{Cite AV media|url=https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/meetings/abortion-until-birth-the-need-to-pass-the-pain-capable-unborn-child-protection-act|title=Abortion Until Birth: The Need to Pass the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act|time=1h18m|website=Senate Judiciary Committee|date=April 9, 2019|access-date=June 1, 2022}}

Hirono called the June 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade "a horrific day in America".{{cite web |last1=Hirono |first1=Mazie |title="Today is a horrific day in America. The Supreme Court was confronted with a fundamental question: who should have control over a woman's body, a woman or a bunch of politicians. They decided it should be a bunch of politicians." |url=https://twitter.com/maziehirono/status/1540385934859960321 |website=Twitter |access-date=24 June 2022 |language=en}} She proclaimed, "This will go down as one of the worst decisions in the history of the Court."{{cite web |last1=Hirono |first1=Mazie |title="The far-right majority on #SCOTUS has stripped women of a fundamental constitutional right we have relied on for nearly 50 years—which is what Trump, McConnell & MAGA Republicans wanted all along. This will go down as one of the worst decisions in the history of the Court." |url=https://twitter.com/maziehirono/status/1540388393317793795 |website=Twitter |access-date=24 June 2022 |language=en}}

In 2016, she participated in the Chris Murphy gun control filibuster. Hirono expressed disappointment when the Democrat-proposed Feinstein Amendment (banning the sale of firearms to individuals on the terrorist watchlist) and the Republican-backed background check expansion and alert system (regarding guns being sold to terrorist watchlist suspects) both failed to pass the Senate.{{cite web|last1=Pignataro|first1=Anthony|title=Hawaii Senators Mazie Hirono, Brian Schatz react to gun control bill failures – Maui Time|url=https://mauitime.com/news/politics/hawaii-senators-mazie-hirono-brian-schatz-react-to-gun-control-bill-failures/|website=Maui Time|access-date=October 4, 2017|date=June 20, 2016}}

On July 28, 2017, two months after undergoing surgery for stage-four kidney cancer, Hirono spoke on the Senate floor and voted against the so-called "skinny repeal" of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare).{{Cite news |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/senator-mazie-hirono-health-care-plea_us_597ac22ae4b02a8434b55cda|title=Senator Mazie Hirono Health Care Plea|last=Shapiro|first=Rebecca|date=July 28, 2017|newspaper=Huffington Post|access-date=July 29, 2017}} MSNBC reporter Kyle Griffin filmed Hirono's speech and posted it on Twitter.{{Cite web |url=https://twitter.com/kylegriffin1/status/890781612186718208|title=Personal, moving speech from Mazie Hirono tonight about her cancer diagnosis. This is worth your time|last=Griffin|first=Kyle|date=July 28, 2017|website=Twitter|access-date=July 29, 2017}}

In January 2019, during the 2018–19 United States federal government shutdown, Hirono was one of 34 senators to sign a letter to Commissioner of Food and Drugs Scott Gottlieb recognizing the efforts of the FDA to address the effect of the government shutdown on the public health and employees while expressing alarm "that the continued shutdown will result in increasingly harmful effects on the agency's employees and the safety and security of the nation's food and medical products."{{cite news|url=https://www.foodsafetymagazine.com/news/democratic-senators-e2809calarmede2809d-by-shutdowne28099s-potential-impact-on-food-safety/|title=Democratic Senators 'Alarmed' by Shutdown's Potential Impact on Food Safety|date=January 15, 2019 |publisher=foodsafetymagazine.com}}

Hirono is a supporter of Medicare for All.{{Cite web|title=Hirono Announces Support for Medicare for All {{!}} Mazie K. Hirono – A Voice for Hawai'i in the U.S. Senate|url=https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-announces-support-for-medicare-for-all|access-date=July 10, 2021|website=www.hirono.senate.gov|date=September 12, 2017 |language=en}}

In April 2019, Hirono was one of 41 senators to sign a bipartisan letter to a Senate subcommittee on housing praising the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Section 4 Capacity Building program as authorizing "HUD to partner with national nonprofit community development organizations to provide education, training, and financial support to local community development corporations (CDCs) across the country" and expressing disappointment that Trump's budget "has slated this program for elimination after decades of successful economic and community development." The senators hoped the subcommittee would support continued funding for Section 4 in Fiscal Year 2020.{{cite news|url=https://www.ktvz.com/news/wyden-merkley-urge-more-affordable-housing-funds/1069680950|title=Wyden, Merkley urge more affordable housing funds|date=April 16, 2019|publisher=ktvz.com|access-date=April 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418125917/https://www.ktvz.com/news/wyden-merkley-urge-more-affordable-housing-funds/1069680950|archive-date=April 18, 2019|url-status=dead}}

Hirono supports the right of LGBTQ+ Americans to enlist in the Armed Forces.{{cite news |title=Military Transgender Ban Draws Ire Of Hawaii Congressional Delegation |url=https://www.civilbeat.org/2017/07/military-transgender-ban-draws-ire-of-hawaii-congressional-delegation/ |access-date=March 11, 2023 |work=Honolulu Civil Beat |first=Chad |last=Blair |date=July 26, 2017 |ref=78}} She also supported H.R. 1681, the Every Child Deserves a Family Act, a "non-discrimination" bill that would have decertified any foster care or adoption agency, such as Catholic Charities, that did not accept same-sex foster parents regardless of religious beliefs.{{cite news|title=Saint Damien Advocates Targets Co-sponsors Hirono, Other Co-Sponsor of Bill that Could Close US Catholic Charities Adoption and Foster care|url=https://www.hawaiireporter.com/saint-damien-advocates-targets-co-sponsors-hirono-other-co-sponsor-of-bill-that-could-close-us-catholic-charities-adoption-and-foster-care/|access-date=November 5, 2023|work=Hawaii Reporter|date=July 9, 2012}}

In January 2024, Hirono voted for a resolution proposed by Bernie Sanders to apply the human rights provisions of the Foreign Assistance Act to U.S. aid to Israel's military. The proposal was defeated, 72 to 11.{{cite news|first1=Alexander|last1=Bolton|access-date=2024-01-17|title=Democratic rebels send Biden stern message on Gaza|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/4412586-democratic-rebels-send-biden-stern-message-on-gaza/|newspaper=The Hill|date=2024-01-16}} In April 2025, Hirono voted for a pair of resolutions Sanders proposed to cancel the Trump administration's sales of $8.8 billion in bombs and other munitions to Israel. The proposals were defeated, 82 to 15.{{Cite web |last=Neukam |first=Stephen |date=April 3, 2025 |title=15 Senate Dems vote to cancel billions in Israeli military aid |url=https://www.axios.com/2025/04/03/senate-democrats-cancel-military-aid-israel |access-date=April 3, 2025 |website=Axios |language=en}}

In April 2019, Hirono was one of seven senators to sponsor the Digital Equity Act of 2019, legislation establishing a $120 million grant program that would fund the creation and implementation of "comprehensive digital equity plans" in every state and a $120 million grant program to support projects developed by individuals and groups. The bill also gave the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) the role of evaluating and providing guidance for digital equity projects.{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/policy/technology/439416-dems-introduce-bill-to-tackle-digital-divide/ |title=Dems introduce bill to tackle 'digital divide'|first=Emily|last=Birnbaum|date=April 17, 2019|newspaper=The Hill}}

In May 2017, Hirono was diagnosed with stage 4 kidney cancer, which had spread to her seventh rib.{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/16/politics/mazie-hirono-kidney-cancer/ |title=Hawaii Sen. Mazie Hirono diagnosed with kidney cancer |first=Saba |last=Hamedy |date=May 16, 2017 |access-date=June 3, 2017 }} The cancer was discovered in a chest X-ray in April before minor eye surgery.{{cite news |url=http://www.kitv.com/story/35447307/sudden-surgery-for-senator-mazie-hirono |title=Sudden surgery for Senator Mazie Hirono |first=Paul |last=Drewes |publisher=KITV |date=May 17, 2017 |access-date=June 3, 2017 }} Hirono's right kidney was removed on May 17, 2017, with a Cyberknife procedure to treat the rib lesion.{{cite news|url=https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/hawaii/articles/2017-05-17/us-senator-mazie-hirono-recovering-after-kidney-surgery |title=US Senator Mazie Hirono Recovering After Kidney Surgery |magazine=U.S. News & World Report |date=May 17, 2017 |access-date=June 3, 2017 |agency=Associated Press }} She returned to the Senate on May 22, 2017.{{cite news |url=http://khon2.com/2017/05/22/hirono-returns-to-senate-following-kidney-surgery-with-message-of-thanks/ |title=Hirono returns to Senate following kidney surgery with message of thanks |publisher=KHON-TV |date=May 22, 2017 |access-date=June 3, 2017 }}

As of 2018, according to OpenSecrets.org, Hirono's net worth was more than $4.3 million.{{cite web |title=Mazie K Hirono – Net Worth – Personal Finances |url=https://www.opensecrets.org/personal-finances/mazie-hirono/net-worth?cid=N00028139 |website=OpenSecrets.org |access-date=October 15, 2021}}

In 2021, Viking Press published Hirono's autobiography, Heart of Fire: An Immigrant Daughter's Story.{{Cite book |last=Hirono |first=Mazie K. |date=2021 |title=Heart of Fire: An Immigrant Daughter's Story |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RI4pEAAAQBAJ |location=New York |publisher=Viking Press |isbn=9781984881601 |oclc=1198218656}} Marie Claire listed the book among its "25 Great Memoirs to Pre-Order Now".{{Cite web|last=Epstein|first=Rachel|date=March 10, 2021|title=25 Great New Memoirs to Add to Your TBR Pile|url=https://www.marieclaire.com/culture/g35712352/best-memoirs-2021/|access-date=March 19, 2021|website=Marie Claire|language=en-US}}

Also in 2021, it was announced that Hirono would receive Japan's Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star for her "significant contributions in strengthening bilateral relations and promoting legislative exchanges between Japan and the United States".{{cite web|url=https://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/2021-autumn-conferment-hirono.html |title=2021 Autumn Conferment of Decoration: Senator Mazie Keiko Hirono |publisher=Embassy of Japan in the United States of America |date=2021-11-03}}

{{Election box begin | title=Hawaii gubernatorial election, 2002{{cite web |url=https://files.hawaii.gov/elections/files/results/2002/general/histatewide.pdf |title=State of Hawaii General Election 2002 |date=November 6, 2002 |website=State of Hawaii Office of Elections |access-date=August 17, 2024}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link|

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Linda Lingle

|votes = 197,009

|percentage = 51.56%

|change = +2.74%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link||party=Democratic Party (United States)|candidate=Mazie Hirono|votes=179,647|percentage=47.01%|change=-3.09%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link||party=Natural Law Party (United States)|candidate=Bu Laʻia Hill|votes=2,561|percentage=0.67%|change=N/A}}

{{Election box candidate with party link||party=Libertarian Party (United States)|candidate=Tracy Ryan|votes=1,364|percentage=0.36%|change=-0.72%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link||party=Independent politician|candidate=Jim Brewer|votes=1,147|percentage=0.30%|change=N/A}}

{{Election box candidate with party link||party=Independent politician|candidate=Daniel Cunningham|votes=382|percentage=0.10%|change=N/A}}

{{Election box total

|votes = 382,110

|percentage = 100.00%

|change=N/A

}}

{{Election box gain with party link without swing

|winner = Republican Party (United States)

|loser = Democratic Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Hawaii's 2nd congressional district election, 2006

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Mazie Hirono

|votes = 106,906

|percentage = 61.04%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Bob Hogue

|votes = 68,244

|percentage = 38.96%

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 175,150

|percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box hold with party link without swing

|winner = Democratic Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Hawaii's 2nd congressional district election, 2008

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Mazie Hirono (inc.)

|votes = 165,748

|percentage = 76.06%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Roger B. Evans

|votes = 44,425

|percentage = 20.39%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Independent (politician)

|candidate = Shaun Stenshol

|votes = 4,042

|percentage = 1.85%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Libertarian Party (United States)

|candidate = Jeff Mallan

|votes = 3,699

|percentage = 1.70%

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 217,914

|percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box hold with party link without swing

|winner = Democratic Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Hawaii's 2nd congressional district election, 2010{{cite web |url=http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/2010election.pdf#page=16 |title=Statistics of the General Election of November 2, 2010 |publisher=Clerk of the House of Representatives |date=June 3, 2011 |pages=14–15 |access-date=August 4, 2019 }}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Mazie Hirono (incumbent)

|votes = 132,290

|percentage = 72.19%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = John W. Willoughby

|votes = 46,404

|percentage = 25.32%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Libertarian Party (United States)

|candidate = Pat Brock

|votes = 3,254

|percentage = 1.78%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Independent (politician)

|candidate = Andrew Von Sonn

|votes = 1,310

|percentage = 0.71%

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 183,258

|percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box hold with party link without swing

|winner = Democratic Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Democratic primary results{{cite web |url=http://hawaii.gov/elections/results/2012/primary/elections/results/2012/primary/files/histatewide.pdf | title=PRIMARY ELECTION 2012 – State of Hawaii – Statewide | access-date=September 29, 2012 | work=State Of Hawaii Office of Elections}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Mazie Hirono

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 134,745

| percentage = 57%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Ed Case

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 95,553

| percentage = 40%

}}

{{Election box candidate no change

| candidate = Blank Votes

| party =

| votes = 3,331

| percentage = 1%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Arturo Reyes

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 1,720

| percentage = 1%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Michael Gillespie

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 1,104

| percentage = 1%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Antonio Gimbernat

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 517

| percentage = 0.2%

}}

{{Election box candidate no change

| candidate = Over Votes

| party =

| votes = 110

| percentage = 0%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 237,080

| percentage = 100%

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin | title=United States Senate election in Hawaii, 2012{{cite web |url=http://files.hawaii.gov/elections/files/results/2012/general/histatewide.pdf |title=Hawaii General 2012 – State of Hawaii – Statewide November 6, 2012 – Final Summary Report |website=files.hawaii.gov}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Mazie Hirono

| votes = 269,489

| percentage = 62.60%

| change = +1.25%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Linda Lingle

| votes = 160,994

| percentage = 37.40%

| change = +0.62%

}}

{{Election box total

| votes = 430,483

| percentage = 100.0%

| change = N/A

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no swing

|winner = Democratic Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change | title=Democratic primary results, Hawaii 2018{{cite web|title=2018 Hawaii primary election results|access-date=June 12, 2019|url=http://files.hawaii.gov/elections/files/results/2018/primary/histatewide.pdf}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Mazie Hirono (incumbent)

|votes = 201,679

|percentage = 100%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 201,679

| percentage = 100%

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin | title=United States Senate election in Hawaii, 2018{{cite web|title=2018 Hawaii general election results|url=http://files.hawaii.gov/elections/files/results/2018/general/histatewide.pdf|access-date=June 12, 2019}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Mazie Hirono (incumbent)

| votes = 276,316

| percentage = 71.15%

| change = +8.55%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Ron Curtis

| votes = 112,035

| percentage = 28.85%

| change = -8.55%

}}

{{Election box total

| votes = 388,351

| percentage = 100%

| change = N/A

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no swing

|winner = Democratic Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=Democratic primary results, Hawaii 2024{{cite web |title=Primary Election August 10, 2024 Statewide Summary |url=https://files.hawaii.gov/elections/files/results/2024/Primary/histatewide.pdf|website=State of Hawaii - Office of Elections |access-date=October 21, 2024}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|candidate=Mazie Hirono (incumbent)|party=Democratic Party (United States)|votes=176,131|percentage=84.6%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Ron Curtis|party=Democratic Party (United States)|votes=14,271|percentage=6.9%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Democratic Party (United States)|candidate=Clyde Lewman|votes=4,287|percentage=2.1%}}

{{Election box total no change|votes=194,689|percentage=100.0%}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin | title=United States Senate election in Hawaii, 2024{{cite web |title=GENERAL ELECTION 2024 - Statewide Summary - November 5, 2024 |work=Hawaii Office of Elections |date=November 13, 2024 |access-date=November 25, 2024 |url=https://elections.hawaii.gov/wp-content/results/histatewide.pdf}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|candidate = Mazie Hirono (incumbent)

|party = Democratic Party (US)

|votes = 324,194

|percentage = 64.61

|change = -6.54

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|candidate = Bob McDermott

|party = Republican Party (US)

|votes = 160,075

|percentage = 31.90

|change = +3.05

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|candidate = Shelby Billionaire

|party = We the People Party

|votes = 9,224

|percentage = 1.84

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|candidate = Emma Pohlman

|party = Green Party of the United States

|votes = 8,270

|percentage = 1.65

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box total

|votes = 501,763

|percentage = 100.00

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Portal|Hawaii|Biography|Japan|Politics}}

• List of Asian Americans and Pacific Islands Americans in the United States Congress
• List of female lieutenant governors in the United States
• List of minority governors and lieutenant governors in the United States
• List of United States senators born outside the United States
• Women in the United States House of Representatives
• Women in the United States Senate

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite web |last1=Totenberg |first1=Nina |title=The Quiet Rage Of Mazie Hirono |url=https://www.npr.org/2018/06/07/617239314/the-quiet-rage-of-mazie-hirono |work=Morning Edition |publisher=NPR |access-date=November 14, 2018 |date=June 7, 2018|ref=none}}
• {{cite web |last1=Boylan |first1=Dan |title=The Immigrant Congresswoman |url=http://archives.midweek.com/content/story/midweek_coverstory/the_immigrant_congresswoman/P0/ |website=MidWeek |access-date=November 14, 2018 |date=March 21, 2007 |ref=none |archive-date=August 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803201535/http://archives.midweek.com/content/story/midweek_coverstory/the_immigrant_congresswoman/P0/ |url-status=dead }}

{{Commons category|Mazie Hirono}}

{{Wikisource author}}

• [https://www.hirono.senate.gov/ Senator Mazie Hirono] official U.S. Senate website
• [https://www.mazieforhawaii.com/ Mazie for Hawaii] campaign website
• {{C-SPAN|91216}}

{{CongLinks | congbio=h001042 | votesmart=1677 | fec=S2HI00106 | congress=mazie-hirono/1844 }}

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|-

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Daniel J. Kihano}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member of the Hawaii House of Representatives
from the 20th district|years=1983–1985}}

{{s-aft|after=Cam Cavasso}}

|-

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{{s-ttl|title=Member of the Hawaii House of Representatives
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|-

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{{Current U.S. senators}}

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{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hirono, Mazie}}

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