PHOTOS: Senator Hirono Meets with Students, Advocates, and Local Businesses on Oahu to Discuss Impact of Federal Funding, Consequences of Trump’s Policies

~ Photosof the Senator's education roundtable can be found here ~

~ Photos of the Senator's visits to schools on Oahu can be found here ~

~ Photos of the Senator's visit to Big Brothers Big Sisters can be found here ~

~ Photos of the Senator's visits to local businesses can be found here ~

HONOLULU, HI - Last week, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), met with K-12 educators, community advocates, and small businesses on Oahu to discuss the harmful consequences of Trump administration policies-including President Trump's "on-again, off-again" tariffs on small businesses and families, and the administration's deep cuts to education funding-as well as the importance of federal funding. On Tuesday, Senator Hirono hosted a K-12 education roundtable with local education leaders and groups to discuss the U.S. Department of Education's (ED) recent decision to transfer dozens of federal education programs to other federal agencies.

"Since Day One, Trump and his regime have been illegally attacking the Department of Education (ED), sowing chaos for millions of students across the country in an attempt to abolish the Department altogether," said Senator Hirono. "Now, in an attempt to dismantle ED, this administration plans to transfer federal education programs to agencies like the Department of Labor and the Department of Health and Human Services-agencies that are not at all equipped to handle these programs. This administration is jeopardizing our children's futures and I will continue doing everything in my power to continue federal support for public education and ensure that every child has access to a quality education. I was glad to meet with local education leaders and groups discuss how the importance of collaboration as we fight to defend our students, educators, and communities against these attacks."

Senator Hirono also visited Mokapu Elementary School on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, where she toured the new campus that was made possible by federal funding. There, she met with student ambassadors who are part of the school's transition center, which was created to better assist other students with the transition to a new learning environment on the new campus. Campus renovations at Mokapu Elementary School include an administration and library building, as well as two classroom complexes with capacity to support nearly 1,000 students. These renovations were made possible by $96 million in federal funding through the Department of Defense's Public Schools on Military Installations (PSMI) program, which Senator Hirono has consistently advocated for.

Senator Hirono also stopped by the Blood Bank of Hawaii Bloodmobile at her alma mater, Kaimuki High School, where she met with student organizers, donors, and leadership from the Blood Bank of Hawaii. Just this week, the American Red Cross declared a severe national blood shortage, with national blood supply falling about 35% over the last month. Senator Hirono discussed the importance of these life-saving contributions and the significance of the Blood Bank of Hawaii and Hawaii Department of Education's innovative phlebotomist training program that helps students earn money and receive college-level credits to help jump start their careers in health care.

On Thursday, Senator Hirono also visited the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America chapter on Oahu. The non-profit youth mentoring organization received $1.5 million in federal funding in 2024 that Senator Hirono helped to secure, which supported the purchase and renovation of its new headquarters in Honolulu.

While on Oahu, Senator Hirono also visited local businesses, including Times Supermarket Liliha, where she met with store management to discuss the rising costs of groceries due to inflation and Trump's cuts to SNAP benefits. They also discussed DA BUX Double Up Food Bucks, a program from The Food Basket to help make locally grown produce more affordable for SNAP customers.

Senator Hirono then visited Lin's Hawaiian Snacks, a local family-owned candy and snack shop serving the Kakaako neighborhood. There, she met with store ownership and management to discuss how Trump's reckless tariffs have impacted their business operations and bottom line.

"As a result of the reckless tariffs Trump has imposed on other countries, small businesses in Hawaii and across the country are feeling an existential threat, as they are forced to make difficult decisions to keep their doors open. Trump and Republicans' 'Big Ugly Bill' has also gutted funding for SNAP, putting over 160,000 people in Hawaii and 40 million Americans at risk of not being able to put food on the table," said Senator Hirono. "While Trump gives millions in tax breaks to his billionaire buddies, businessowners are struggling and the cost of living increases day by day. I will continue working with partners in Hawaii and across the country to better protect businesses like Lin's from the fallout of Trump's tariffs. And I remain committed to combatting this regime's chaos and cruelty and will not stop working until every American has access to the resources they need to keep their families healthy and fed."

###

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Tweet