Hirono Leads Senate Colleagues in Recognizing Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions Week

~ While the Trump Administration cuts funding for Minority Serving Institutions, Members of Congress recognize the importance of AANAPISIs in expanding access to higher education for all ~

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) led 13 of her Senate colleagues in reintroducing a resolution designating September 22-28, 2025 as Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISI) Week. This week honors the vital role of AANAPISIs in expanding access to quality higher education for American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) students.

"During AANAPISI Week, we celebrate Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions nationwide and the important work they do for our communities," said Senator Hirono. "As this administration actively works to strip hundreds of millions of dollars in grant funding from these important institutions, it is more critical than ever that we reaffirm our commitment to supporting them. I am proud to join my colleagues in reintroducing this resolution to recognize the importance of AANAPISIs and the role they play in supporting students-expanding opportunities for our youth, while uplifting and connecting students from diverse backgrounds in Hawaii and across the country."

Since its authorization under the 2007 College Cost Reduction and Access Act, the AANAPISI program has provided grants to institutions serving AANHPI undergraduate students to help expand their capacity to serve all students. These institutions have played a crucial role in opening the door to higher education for minority students, especially those who are low-income or first-generation. Today, AANAPISIs enroll 46 percent of all AANHPI undergraduate students in the United States, and award over 50 percent of the associate degrees and nearly 45 percent of the bachelor's degrees attained by all AANHPI college students across the country.

This resolution comes in the wake of the Trump administration's reckless decision to rescind $350 million in Congressionally-approved funds from Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) including AANAPISIs, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions (ANNHSIs), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs). AANAPISIs alone have had over $18 million in grant funding terminated, which will force many to gut support services for students and lay off staff. These cuts will destabilize the education of thousands of students and ultimately harm our nation's economic future.

In addition to Senator Hirono, this resolution was cosponsored by Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Tina Smith (D-MN),Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

Companion legislation was also introduced in the House by Representatives Judy Chu (D-CA), Mark Takano (D-CA), and Grace Meng (D-NY).

The full text of the resolution is available here.

Senator Hirono has long advocated on behalf of AANHPI communities in Hawaii, the U.S., and Pacific Island nations and territories. In May, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a resolution introduced by Senator Hirono marking May as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. In May, she also introduced the Teaching Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander History Act, bicameral legislation to promote the teaching of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) history in schools across the country. Senator Hirono also reintroduced a package of bills focused on mental health awareness for AANHPI communities in observance of May as National Mental Health Awareness Month and AANHPI Heritage Month.

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