Rep. Tokuda Introduces Bill to Rename Hawaiʻi Island Post Office After Vietnam War Veteran Hero
Washington, D.C. - On Friday, U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) introduced a bill to rename 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. “There are no amount of words to express my sincere gratitude to First Lieutenant Kauhaihao who paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country … Continue Reading
June 28, 2024
Rep. Tokuda Issues Statement on President Biden's Request for Additional $700M Disaster Funding
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) issued the following statement on President Joe Biden’s additional $700 million request to Congress for the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery program which would help communities nationwide, including Maui, with disaster needs. "We have been pushing for supplemental disaster funding in Congress since the wildfires took place. Maui continues to grapple with both physical damage and emotional trauma in the … Continue Reading
June 27, 2024
Rep. Tokuda Testifies on Her Lahaina National Heritage Area Act
Washington, D.C. - Today, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands held a hearing on the Lahaina National Heritage Area Act - introduced by U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) - which would begin the process of evaluating the Maui town for designation as a National Heritage Area. The Lahaina National Heritage Area Act would direct the National Park Service, in consultation with state and local partners, to study the suitability and feasibility of this designation for … Continue Reading
June 26, 2024
Rep. Tokuda's Priorities Included in House Water Resources Development Act
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02), announced the referral of the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA) to the full House of Representatives. The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee reported the bill as amended by a bipartisan vote of 61 to 2. “As Hawai‘i has seen in increasing frequency, extreme weather events are leaving a trail of destruction and loss behind. From hurricanes to flooding to wildfires, we need to do all we can to … Continue Reading
June 24, 2024
Rep. Tokuda Statement Marking Two Years Since SCOTUS Overturned Roe v. Wade
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) issued the following statement, marking the two-year anniversary of the Supreme Court’s ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health, which eliminated the constitutional right to an abortion. “The Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade remains one of the biggest threats to the health and safety of women across the country. Two years later, the consequences of the Dobbs decision continue to grow, and the impacts are being … Continue Reading
June 17, 2024
Rep. Tokuda Introduces Bill to Combat ‘Zombie Guns’, Support Law Enforcement
Washington, D.C. — On Friday, U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) introduced the "Restoring Trust in Public Safety Act," legislation to address the government’s role in the proliferation of gun violence in communities by providing public agencies, including police departments, with greater resources to fully destroy seized and surrendered firearms. A recent New York Times investigation found that hundreds of cities and towns have turned to private companies that offer to destroy … Continue Reading
June 14, 2024
Rep. Tokuda Votes No on National Defense Authorization Act
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02), member of the House Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025, which passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 217-199. “Once again, House Republicans have derailed a bipartisan process for this year’s National Defense Authorization Act by adding harmful poison-pill policy riders that attack reproductive rights and health care for our … Continue Reading
June 06, 2024
Rep. Tokuda Travels to Normandy for 80th D-Day Anniversary
Normandy, France - Today, U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, paid tribute to members of the military and honored them at the 80th D-Day Anniversary ceremonies at the American Cemetery. “Eighty years ago, tens of thousands of men, including many from Hawaii, put freedom before fear and marked a turning point in the war here on the beaches of Normandy. It has been a humbling honor to remember and pay respect to the brave soldiers where … Continue Reading
June 04, 2024
Rep. Tokuda Accepting Applications for Military Service Academies
(Honolulu, HI) - Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) announced that her office is now accepting applications from students in Hawaiʻi’s Second Congressional District for Military Service Academies. Qualified applicants must submit their applications no later than Friday, October 25, 2024, at 11:59 pm HST. Every year, members of Congress are given a limited number of candidates to nominate for appointment to these academies. Rep. Tokuda can only nominate a limited number of exceptional … Continue Reading
June 01, 2024
Rep. Tokuda Invited to Niʻihau to Celebrate Two High School Graduates
Niʻihau - Yesterday, Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) attended the Ni‘ihau High and Elementary School graduation to help celebrate this momentous occasion for two high school students. Along with Rep. Tokuda, State Department of Education Kaua‘i Complex Area Superintendent Daniel Hamada and Kaua‘i County Board of Education Member William Arakaki joined the Ni‘ihau community in congratulating Brianne Kanahele and Jayna Niau Jr. They are the only 2024 graduates from the school, which does … Continue Reading
May 24, 2024
Rep. Tokuda Votes Against House’s Partisan Farm Bill Includes Wins for Hawai‘i, Falls Short for Working Families
Washington, D.C. - Yesterday, U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02), a member of the House Agriculture Committee and the only member of Hawai‘i’s congressional delegation to serve on one of Congress’s agriculture committees, voted against sending the House Republicans’ partisan Farm Bill to the full House of Representatives during a 13-hour markup. The committee reported the bill with a vote of 33-21. “It was important to me that Hawaiʻi has a seat at the table when it comes to … Continue Reading
May 22, 2024
Rep. Tokuda Secures Hawai‘i Priorities in Markup of the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, voted to send H.R. 8070, the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025, to the full House of Representatives. If enacted into law, this NDAA would mark the 65th consecutive year in which Congress has passed this critical law for national security. The committee reported the bill as amended by a vote of 57 to 1. … Continue Reading
May 21, 2024
House Passes Tax Relief Bill to Support Disaster Victims Includes Rep. Tokuda’s Efforts to Help Those Impacted by Maui Fires
Washington, D.C. - Today, the U.S. House passed the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2023, cosponsored by Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02). The measure would make it easier for Maui Fire victims to deduct disaster-related losses by eliminating the minimum 10 percent loss threshold and the requirement to itemize deductions to receive this tax benefit. It would also exempt qualified wildfire disaster relief payments received between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2025. “This bill makes … Continue Reading
May 18, 2024
Rep. Tokuda Announces Winner of 2024 Congressional Art Competition
May 15, 2024
House Approves FAA Reauthorization Legislation, Including Rep. Tokuda's Bill Addressing Air Safety Concerns
Washington, D.C. — Today, the U.S. House overwhelmingly approved the bipartisan Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act, which includes improved air safety standards as well as an increase in workforce and consumer protection. The legislation authorizes more than $105 billion in appropriations for the FAA through Fiscal Year 2028, including $66.7 billion for key safety programs. It addresses air traffic controller shortages by requiring the FAA to implement better … Continue Reading
May 09, 2024
Rep. Tokuda, Colleagues Seeks Answers on Department of Defense Policies for Reporting Abuse and Harm at Child Care Centers
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representatives Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), and Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) led 21 of their colleagues in seeking urgent answers from the U.S. Department of Defense in response to an April 10, 2024 article from Military.com detailing systemic failures to report child abuse and harm at military child care centers. That article included shocking details of one military family’s experiences at the Ford Island Child Development Center near Joint Base … Continue Reading
May 02, 2024
Rep. Tokuda Seeks Study to Establish Lahaina as a National Heritage Area
Washington, D.C. - To recognize Lahaina’s historical, cultural, and ecological value, Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02) introduced the Lahaina National Heritage Area Act yesterday, which would begin the process of potentially designating the Maui town as a National Heritage Area. The Lahaina National Heritage Area Act would direct the National Park Service, in consultation with state and local partners, to study the suitability and feasibility of this designation for Lahaina. “Lele, or Lahaina, … Continue Reading
April 20, 2024
Rep. Tokuda Statement on House Passing $95 Billion Foreign Aid Package
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02) issued the following statement after the House passed more than $95 billion in foreign aid funding: “Today, after months of needless delay, the House finally voted to send critical security and humanitarian assistance to our allies and partners around the world. My votes today are about putting peace, democracy, and human rights at the center of our foreign policy. I am proud to stand with our Ukrainian partners who have waited far too long … Continue Reading
April 11, 2024
Rep. Tokuda Applauds Federal Action to Expand Background Checks for Firearm Sales
Washington, D.C. - Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) issued the following statement after the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) announcement on final regulations to expand required background checks for firearm sales: “Too many people have bypassed background checks to obtain firearms and our people and communities have paid the price with their lives. Today we closed a dangerous loophole that allowed firearms to be sold and purchased online and at gun shows … Continue Reading
April 03, 2024
Rep. Tokuda Applauds FEMA for $35 Million to Rebuild Maui Public Housing After Fires
Honolulu, HI - Today, Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02) commended the announcement from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of more than $35 million in federal funding for the State of Hawaii associated with the August wildfires on Maui. The first award provides $20,891,921.32 to the state’s Public Housing Authority for damage to the nine buildings of the David Malo Circle housing facility. The second award will provide $14,120.421.86 in federal … Continue Reading