Press Releases

January 28, 2025

Hirono, Tokuda Condemn Trump’s Federal Funding Freeze

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (D-HI) released the following statement condemning President Donald Trump’s federal funding freeze: “Eight days into his dictatorship, President Trump has mandated a federal funding freeze that will cost Hawaii hundreds of millions in federal support. Even a ‘temporary’ freeze will create a lapse in funding for disaster relief efforts in Lahaina, as well as crucial programs like Medicaid; Head … Continue Reading


January 26, 2025

Full House Passes Rep. Tokuda’s Bill to Fight Rapid Ohia Death

Washington, DC - On Thursday, the full House of Representatives passed, by a vote of 359-62, U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda’s (HI-02) bill to fight the spread of Rapid Ohia Death (ROD) and help restore native forests in Hawaiʻi. The bill, which was also passed last September, now heads to the Senate for consideration, where U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) introduced companion legislation. The Continued Rapid Ohia Death Response Act of 2025 enables federal agencies - including the U.S. … Continue Reading


January 24, 2025

Rep. Tokuda Named Lead Democrat of Key Agriculture Subcommittee

Washington, DC - U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) was named the Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology for the 119th Congress. In this role, Representative Tokuda will be the lead Democrat for resource conservation and agricultural research as Congress works towards enacting a full Farm Bill.   “I am honored and humbled to be elected Ranking Member of a critical subcommittee for Hawai‘i,” said Rep. Tokuda, who is … Continue Reading


January 24, 2025

Rep. Tokuda Provides Update on Transportation Issue on Molokai, Lanai

"Air transportation is a critical lifeline for our ʻohana on Molokai and Lanai.  In the week since Mokulele grounded their planes without warning, leaving passengers and residents angry and stranded, I have been in conversation with multiple federal agencies about any and all remedies we have to prevent these lapses in service and explore alternative options to keep our neighbor island communities connected," said U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02). "In conversations with the U.S. … Continue Reading


January 21, 2025

Rep. Tokuda Announces Class of 2029 Nominees to the U.S. Service Academies

Honolulu - Today, U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) announced her nomination of 31 students from Hawaii to the U.S. service academies for the Class of 2029. “I am proud to nominate these accomplished students who represent the very best of Hawaii. While they come from diverse backgrounds, they share a common commitment to service, their community, and our nation. Attending one of these service academies, among our most historic and prestigious institutions is a great honor and … Continue Reading


January 17, 2025

Rep. Tokuda Issues Statement on Equal Rights Amendment

Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) issued the following statement after President Joe Biden declared the Equal Rights Amendment law of the land: “During my first months in Congress, I walked with my fellow sisters from the House to the Senate in solidarity for the passage of the ERA. As a proud Asian American woman, this is about our country truly seeing us and including us. I am proud that President Biden has affirmed the Equal Rights Amendment to be the law of … Continue Reading


January 17, 2025

Rep. Tokuda, Rep. Case Issue Statements on DoD Hawaiʻi Housing Report

Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Representatives Jill Tokuda (HI-02) and Ed Case (HI-01) issued the following statements on a Department of Defense report on the military’s impact on housing in Hawai‘i. This report, required as part of the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act, assessed the military’s housing requirements and impacts on the housing market, including the number of service members and their families residing off base and pathways towards increasing the Department of … Continue Reading


January 14, 2025

Rep. Tokuda Joins Sen. Hirono in Introducing Bill to Fight Rapid Ohia Death

Washington, DC - Yesterday, U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) joined U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono in introducing legislation to fight the spread of Rapid Ohia Death (ROD) and help restore native forests in Hawaiʻi. The Continued Rapid Ohia Death Response Act of 2025 enables federal agencies - including the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) - to more closely coordinate with the State of Hawaiʻi to prevent the spread of … Continue Reading


January 09, 2025

President Biden Signs Rep. Tokuda’s Bill to Name Post Office in Honor of Vietnam War Veteran

Washington, DC - Over the weekend, President Joe Biden signed U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda’s (HI-02) bill into law, naming the Captain Cook Post Office on Hawaiʻi Island the "Army 1st Lt. John Kuulei Kauhaihao Post Office Building.” The post office at 82-6110 Mamalahoa Highway is being named after First Lieutenant John Kuulei Kauhaihao of Hōnaunau, who was killed in action in Vietnam and posthumously awarded the U.S. Army’s second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross. … Continue Reading


January 03, 2025

Rep. Tokuda Sworn Into Congress, Begins Second Term

Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) was sworn in as a member of the 119th Congress, beginning her second term serving constituents of Hawaiʻi’s Second Congressional District. “I am humbled and honored to represent our neighbor islands and rural Oʻahu in Washington D.C. Now that I’ve been sworn in, the real work begins as we continue to fight for our keiki, kūpuna, and hardworking families that are struggling to make ends meet,” said Rep. Tokuda. “I will continue to … Continue Reading


December 26, 2024

President Biden Signs Rep. Tokuda’s Legislation to Start Process of Designating Lahaina a National Heritage Area

Washington, DC - Earlier this week, President Joe Biden signed U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda’s (HI-02) Lahaina National Heritage Area Study Act into law. Under this law, the National Park Service, in consultation with state and local partners, will study the suitability and feasibility of a National Heritage Area designation for Lahaina. These areas are designated by Congress to complement state and local conservation efforts through recognition, federal funding, and technical … Continue Reading


December 10, 2024

Full House Passes Water Resources Development Act Including Rep. Tokuda’s Priorities 

Washington, D.C. — Today, the full House of Representatives passed, by a vote of 399-18, the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA), which includes U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda’s (HI-02) priorities benefiting Hawaii.The bill is expected to be passed by the Senate and later sent to the President’s desk to be signed into law. Top priorities for Hawai‘i secured by Rep. Tokuda include:  Increasing the Maui Environmental Infrastructure authorization from $20 million to … Continue Reading


December 09, 2024

Rep. Tokuda Leads Bipartisan Bill to Support Health Workforce

Washington, D.C. — Last week, U.S. Representatives Jill Tokuda (D-HI-02) and Carol Miller (R-WV-01) introduced the Strengthening Pathways to Health Professions Act to increase access to federal programs that help grow and strengthen the pipeline of healthcare professionals in primary care, mental and behavioral health, and dental services. The Strengthening Pathways to Health Professions Act would provide tax-exempt status to certain federal scholarship and loan repayment programs at the … Continue Reading


December 09, 2024

Rep. Tokuda to Hold Statewide Telephone Town Hall

(Hawaiʻi) - U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) will be holding a statewide telephone town hall on Wednesday, December 11, 2024 from 5:30pm to 6:30pm HST.Rep. Tokuda will answer questions from participants live over the phone, provide a legislative update, and discuss her priorities for the upcoming 119th Congress.Those who are interested in joining are encouraged to RSVP to be added to the event call list to receive a call when the event starts. If participants do not receive a call, … Continue Reading


December 05, 2024

Rep. Tokuda and Sen. Hirono Celebrate Progress on Natural Disaster Tax Relief Bill

U.S. Senate unanimously passed Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act, which includes Tokuda and Hirono legislation to lessen the tax burden on survivors of the Maui wildfires. The bill now heads to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law.Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) and U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) applauded the U.S. Senate’s unanimous passage of the bipartisan Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2023 (H.R. 5863). The bill, which passed in the U.S. … Continue Reading


December 05, 2024

Full House Passes Rep. Tokuda’s Bill to Name Post Office in Honor of Vietnam War Veteran

Washington, DC - Yesterday, the full House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill -- introduced by U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) - to name the Captain Cook Post Office on Hawaiʻi Island after First Lieutenant John Kuulei Kauhaihao of Hōnaunau, who was killed in action in Vietnam and posthumously awarded the U.S. Army’s second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross. H.R. 8909 would designate the post office located at 82-6110 Mamalahoa Highway as the "Army … Continue Reading


December 04, 2024

House Passes Rep. Tokuda’s Lahaina National Heritage Area Study Act

Washington, DC - Today, the full House of Representatives passed the bipartisan Lahaina National Heritage Area Study Act - introduced by U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) - marking another significant step forward in her efforts to support the community in recognizing Lahaina’s historic and cultural importance.H.R. 8219, the Lahaina National Heritage Area Study Act, would direct the National Park Service, in consultation with state and local partners, to study the suitability and … Continue Reading


November 22, 2024

Rep. Tokuda Leads Bipartisan Coalition in Elevating Rural Health Priorities

Washington, DC - This week, as the country celebrates National Rural Health Month, U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02), co-chair of the Bipartisan Rural Health Caucus, led several bipartisan efforts to recognize the importance of rural health care, medical providers, and the communities they serve. On Thursday, Rep. Tokuda, along with Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN-01), introduced a resolution recognizing November 21, 2024, as “National Rural Health Day.” The resolution highlights … Continue Reading


October 11, 2024

Rep. Tokuda Cancels Event Participation, Walks Hotel Picket Line

Honolulu - Today, U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda walked the picket line with Local 5 members near the Hilton Hawaiian Village to show her support and loyalty to striking hotel workers. Rep. Tokuda was originally scheduled to participate in the Wahine Forum panel at the hotel but cancelled when union members decided to go on strike after failed contract negotiations. “Every day, Local 5 members are on the front lines as ambassadors of aloha to our visitors. As a former Local 5 member, … Continue Reading


September 26, 2024

Legislation Co-Led by Rep. Tokuda to Combat Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death Passes the U.S. House of Representatives 

Washington, DC — U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) issued the following statement on the Continued Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death Response Act of 2023 after the legislation unanimously passed the House of Representatives this week.  “Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death presents an existential threat to Hawai‘i’s native forests that are a critical habitat for our endangered birds and other species. If we don’t act now, our native forests will not survive,” said Rep. Tokuda. “This bill would help in the fight against … Continue Reading

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