Rep. Tokuda questions spending as Iran conflict continues
HONOLULU (KHON2) — The conflict in Iran continues Monday as oil prices have skyrocketed to over $100 per barrel, and Iran named Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his late father as supreme leader. Hawaii Representative Jill Tokuda says the Trump administration’s policies that have led to this point are unacceptable. “The question every American should ask themselves is, do I feel safer today than I did before this all started? Higher gas prices, literally tens of thousands of Americans … Continue Reading
March 06, 2026
Tokuda votes against partisan Farm Bill, fights for Hawaiʻi priorities
US Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02) voted against House Republicans’ Farm Bill on Thursday, arguing it falls short for Hawaiʻi farmers and families. As the only member of the Hawaiʻi congressional delegation serving on one of Congress’s agriculture committees, Tokuda fought during the committee’s markup to ensure the bill reflected the realities facing Hawaiʻi’s local agricultural communities, following her recent Ag Listening Sessions across the state. Kula Ag Listening Session (1.29.26) PC: … Continue Reading
March 03, 2026
‘Look at the Constitution’: Rep. Tokuda on War Powers vote
HONOLULU (KHON2) — The United States Congress gets back in session today as the vote on a war powers resolution is expected to happen to assert congressional authority to declare war as Iran expanded its targets Tuesday, striking the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia. “Well, first of all, more, we shouldn’t be questioning which objective it is,” Hawaii Representative Jill Tokuda said. “There needs to be certainty. There needs to be an achievable end goal we are seeking. And one day, the President … Continue Reading
March 03, 2026
Hawaii delegation continues to blast U.S. attack on Iran
Hawaii’s congressional delegation continued Monday to condemn the U.S.- Israel military strikes on Iran, calling them unauthorized and avoidable while the Hawaii Republican Party voiced full support for President Donald Trump’s actions. “This is a war of choice,” U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz said on the Senate floor. “It did not have to happen. There was no imminent threat from Iran. “The American people — left, right and center — do not want another regime change war in the Middle East,” Schatz … Continue Reading
February 27, 2026
Tokuda Introduces Tariff Free Farming Act To Cut Farm Costs
With farmers across Hawaiʻi warning that rising costs are eating into already thin margins, Rep. Jill Tokuda on Thursday rolled out the Tariff Free Farming Act, a proposal pitched as a way to remove tariffs on imported seeds, fertilizer, feed, machinery, and other essential supplies used by producers. The bill comes on the heels of agriculture listening sessions that Tokuda held in every county of Hawaiʻi, where farmers and ranchers told her that rising input prices were squeezing them from … Continue Reading
February 25, 2026
‘Let’s not mislead America’: Hawaii’s congressional delegation responds to Trump’s State of the Union address
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Hawaii’s congressional delegation says President Donald Trump isnʻt doing enough to combat soaring costs for families struggling in the islands. In a marathon State of the Union address Tuesday, Trump declared that “we’re winning so much” with an economic boom at home and a new world order abroad. “Inflation is plummeting. Incomes are rising fast. The roaring economy is roaring like it’s never roared before,” Trump said. “The price of eggs is down 60%. The cost of … Continue Reading
February 24, 2026
The fashion that made a statement at Trump’s State of the Union
Every year, the State of the Union address presents politicians and public figures with a unique sartorial opportunity. The event gathers hundreds of powerful people with a wide range of opinions and views about the state of the nation, and then only one of them talks. The rest are simply on national television, listening (or briefly interjecting, at most). They have to find silent but visible ways to express their agreement or dissent, and as a result, their clothes and accessories often wind … Continue Reading
February 20, 2026
Hawaii congressional leaders applaud Supreme Court’s tariff ruling
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow/AP) - Hawaii’s congressional leaders applauded Friday’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down many of President Donald Trump’s tariffs on other nations. In a 6-3 ruling on Friday, the court said the president lacked the power to declare an economic emergency and launch sweeping new taxes on imports. U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, a senior member of the Senate Committees on Small Business and Entrepreneurship and the Judiciary, said in a statement that Trump’s … Continue Reading
February 20, 2026
Schatz, Hirono, Tokuda secure $7.5M in funds for Kauaʻi infrastructure
KAUAI, Hawaii (KHON2) — Kauaʻi County secured $7.5 million in federal funds to support housing and transportation projects throughout the county, Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami announced on Feb. 20. “These federal earmarks represent meaningful progress toward some of Kauaʻi’s most pressing needs,” Kawakami said. “We appreciate the strong partnership and advocacy of our federal delegation, which allows us to invest in affordable housing and safe, connected infrastructure, and to continue building … Continue Reading
February 13, 2026
Hawaii environmental leaders condemn EPA rollback
State and local environmental leaders strongly condemned President Donald Trump’s move on Thursday to rescind a scientific finding, the loss of which effectively deregulated greenhouse gas emissions under the Environmental Protection Agency — with the state Energy Office calling it “one of the largest environmental rollbacks in U.S. history.” Known as the endangerment finding, the rescinded rule was part of a 2009 government declaration that determined carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas … Continue Reading
February 10, 2026
US Rep. Jill Tokuda meets with Kauaʻi residents to address local, national concerns
U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda visited Līhuʻe on Saturday to meet with residents and hear their questions and concerns about a variety of issues, including Immigration & Customs Enforcement operations, rising costs for farmers and accountability in Washington. Among the many questions raised were whether the rumored Amazon warehouse next to the Līhuʻe Airport would be used as an ICE detention center; whether she supports the Israel actions and civilian casualties of Palestinians in Gaza, and what … Continue Reading
February 06, 2026
Tokuda joins US House members in call to exempt overseas healthcare workers from a new $100,000 visa fee
US Reps. Jill Tokuda of Hawaiʻi and Don Bacon of Nebraska are leading a bipartisan group of 33 lawmakers in a call for Department of Homeland Security Kristi Noem to exempt healthcare professionals recruited from outside the United States from a new $100,000 H-1B visa fee. In a letter sent to Noem, the lawmakers warned that the fee for impacted workers creates a significant barrier for rural hospitals and clinics already struggling with workforce shortages. “For small rural hospitals and … Continue Reading
February 04, 2026
U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda pushes for ICE changes as DHS funding deadline approaches
HONOLULU (Island News) -- The deadline for negotiating a spending package for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is approaching, with funding set to expire on Friday, Feb. 13. Democrats are still pointing to the killings of two American citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, in the streets of Minneapolis last month as the major reason why reforms must be made to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Protests have taken place across the country since the shooting deaths. Besides … Continue Reading
February 03, 2026
Tokuda votes against funding bill that includes DHS; Case votes to fund and reopen 70% of federal government
US Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02) on Tuesday voted against a Fiscal Year 2026 government funding package, which includes two weeks of stopgap funding for the Department of Homeland Security. “I have supported the vast majority of bipartisan funding agreements in this bill, but I cannot, in good conscience, give a blank check to DHS whose leadership has failed in its most basic responsibility to protect Americans,” Tokuda said in a statement following the vote. The vote comes on the heels of fatal … Continue Reading
January 30, 2026
Hirono, Case, Tokuda Introduce Legislation to Establish New National Veterans Cemetery in Hawaii
WASHINGTON — Sen. Mazie K. Hirono and Reps. Ed Case and Jill Tokuda (all D-Hawaii) on Jan. 16 led the introduction of the Hawaii National Cemetery Act, legislation that would require the secretary of veterans affairs (VA) to establish a new national veterans cemetery in Hawaii. Veterans who qualify for burial and memorial benefits are provided a choice of final resting place, including a gravesite in any VA national cemetery with available space. The burial site for around 53,000 veterans … Continue Reading
January 29, 2026
Rep. Tokuda announces Class of 2030 nominees to the US Service Academies
US Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02) announced her nomination of 30 students from Hawaiʻi to the US service academies for the Class of 2030. “I am proud to nominate these remarkable students who reflect the strength, diversity, and promise of Hawaiʻi. They bring a deep sense of purpose and a commitment to serving something greater than themselves,” said Tokuda. “Earning the opportunity to attend one of our nation’s historic and prestigious service academies is a rare distinction that carries a legacy … Continue Reading
January 27, 2026
Rep. Tokuda calls for Noem impeachment, independent investigation into killing
HONOLULU (KHON2) — The nation was rocked over the weekend with another killing of an American by federal agents in Minneapolis. While President Trump has recently taken an off-ramp to turn down the temperature following a phone call with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, tensions remain high. Hawaii Congresswoman Jill Tokuda doesn’t think the government’s Department of Homeland Security should be investigating the shooting after government statements contradicted video evidence, including White … Continue Reading
January 26, 2026
U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda reacts to Minnesota ICE shootings
The killing of a second U.S. citizen by Immigration agents in Minnesota in less than a month prompted a wave of demonstrations across the nation. Hundreds gathered in Honolulu on Sunday in response to the killing of Alex Pretti, the second American citizen to be shot by an ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) officer. The Conversation spoke to U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda about the recent shootings. Interview highlights On the Minnesota shootings U.S. REP. JILL TOKUDA: We have to … Continue Reading
January 15, 2026
U.S. representative urges military to increase voluntary manslaughter sentence in light of Schofield soldier killing pregnant wife
HONOLULU (Island News) -- U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda is urging the military to increase the maximum sentence for voluntary manslaughter, following last year’s conviction of a Schofield soldier who killed his pregnant wife and unborn child. The congresswoman sent a letter to the Chair of the Joint Service Committee on Military Justice on Monday, Jan. 12, requesting the maximum sentence for military members convicted of voluntary manslaughter to be increased. The prison sentence is … Continue Reading
January 11, 2026
Rep. Tokuda votes to extend ACA tax credits for 3 years
US Rep. Jill Tokuda voted Thursday in favor of extending the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits for three years, a measure which has since passed the US House. Supporters say the extension will help prevent steep insurance premium increases for millions of Americans, while some opponents argue it would add to federal spending and favor a shorter extension or broader healthcare cost reforms instead. During debate on the House Floor, Tokuda addressed the potential consequences … Continue Reading