PHOTOS: Hirono and Hawaii Chamber of Commerce Host 10th Annual “Hawaii on the Hill” in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - This week, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a member of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee welcomed more than 200 individuals from Hawaii, representing over 90 businesses and nonprofits from across the state, for the 10^th annual "Hawaii on the Hill." Hawaii on the Hill, a partnership between Senator Hirono and the Chamber of Commerce (CoC) Hawaii, provides members of the Hawaii business community with the opportunity to showcase Hawaii businesses and products, meet directly with Congressional leaders, and share the aloha spirit with Members of Congress, their staff, and the D. C. community.

"As Hawaii families continue to struggle under the Trump regime's cost of living crisis, it's critical we fight to boost our state's economy. For 10 years, that's what Hawaii on the Hill has been all about, bringing the best of Hawaii-our small businesses, local entrepreneurs, and cultural ambassadors- to Washington D.C.," said Senator Hirono. "From our policy summit with Congressional leaders, to the flagship Taste of Hawaii I am proud to carry on this tradition of partnering with the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii to support our small businesses and show the rest of the country what the aloha spirit is all about."

"Hawaii on the Hill has always been about bringing Hawaii's voice directly to Washington, and this year's 10th annual event was our most impactful yet," said Sherry Menor, President and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii. "Anchored by our 2030 Blueprint for Hawaii, our state's roadmap for a more diversified, resilient economy, this year's program was designed to advance Hawaii's future on the national stage. In honor of our 10^th anniversary, we hosted 10 events, from record-breaking attendance at Taste of Hawaii on the Hill to our largest-ever Kama'aina Come Home gathering and our first-ever Appropriations 101 session led by U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono's staff, we connected Hawaii's business community directly to the federal opportunities that matter most. We are deeply grateful to U.S. Senator Hirono and her team for their partnership, and we look forward to building on this momentum together."

In addition to Senator Hirono and CoC Hawaii, Hawaii Senate President Ron Kouchi served as an Honorary Co-Chair of Hawaii on the Hill.

At the beginning of the week, Senator Hirono participated in a talk story event moderated by Sherry Menor, CoC Hawaii President and CEO. Attendees had the opportunity to hear from Senator Hirono about her work in the Senate to support Hawaii businesses and communities and also engaged with the Senator in a Q&A.

The following day, Senator Hirono hosted the Hawaii on the Hill Policy Summit, which featured remarks from; Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH); Representatives Ed Case (D-HI) and Jill Tokuda (D-HI); and Lauren Bealore, Board member of the Main Street Alliance.

The speakers discussed a variety of issues important to businesses in Hawaii and across the country, including the unique challenges local businesses in Hawaii face, programs that provide support for businesses and nonprofits in Hawaii, and building community resilience and partnerships. Specifically, the speakers shared updates on the states of agriculture, tourism, small businesses, and tariffs after almost 18 months of the Trump Administration.

On Wednesday, Senator Hirono and CoC Hawaii hosted the highly anticipated Taste of Hawaii on Capitol Hill. Over 1,600 people attended this year's event, which allowed Members of Congress and their staff to experience and learn more about Hawaii's unique culture through cuisine, music, and more. Attendees enjoyed live music performed by Hawaii artists as they visited different tables and sampled different products from across the islands. Some of this year's exhibitors included: Hawaii Farm Bureau; Aloun Farms; Kauai Kookie; Koloa Rum; Lappert's Ice Cream; The Orchid Lei Company; Hawaiian Chip Company; Maui Gold; and the University of Hawaii.

Photos of the Talk Story are available here.

Photos of the Policy Summit are available here.

Photos of the Taste of Hawaii on Capitol Hill are available here. Video is available here.

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