Heeding Call from Hawaii Delegation, SBA Announces Loan Deferments for Maui Businesses
WASHINGTON, DC - In response to a letter from the Hawaii Congressional delegation, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that it is implementing a 6-month deferment period for Maui businesses impacted by the Hawaii wildfires. This deferment period covers principal and interest payments, as well as a pause on interest accrual, and includes all COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and any previous disaster loans that are still being repaid. “Thousands of people, … Continue Reading
October 30, 2023
Rep. Tokuda and Sen. Hirono Lead Hawaiʻi and Alaska Delegations in Introducing Bill to Expand Opportunities for Native Hawaiian and Alaska Natives in Agriculture
(Washington, D.C.) Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) and Senator Mazie Hirono (HI) led the Hawaiʻi and Alaska delegations in introducing the Parity for Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Students in Agriculture Act. Senators Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Brian Schatz, and Representatives Ed Case and Mary Peltola are also original co-sponsors of the bill. The bill would reauthorize the Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions Education Competitive Grants Program for … Continue Reading
October 27, 2023
Rep. Jill Tokuda to Hold Virtual Town Hall for Kauai
(Washington, D.C.) Representative Jill Tokuda announced today that her town hall in Kauai scheduled for Wednesday, November 1, 2023, will be moved to a virtual platform. Due to unforeseen changes in the congressional calendar, Rep. Tokuda must now be in Washington, D.C. to vote on the House floor. “While my official duties are keeping me from being home to do these town halls, continuing to connect with my constituents is important to me,” stated Tokuda. “I look forward to being back on … Continue Reading
October 25, 2023
Rep. Jill Tokuda’s Statement on Speaker Mike Johnson
(Washington, D.C.) Representative Jill Tokuda issued the following statement about the election of Speaker Mike Johnson: “After three weeks of chaos and inaction and three unsuccessful nominees, Republicans chose to elect a Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives with little experience in actual governance and a long record of dangerous and extreme far-right positions. Speaker Johnson’s past words and actions have focused on criminalizing abortion nationwide, stripping away … Continue Reading
October 24, 2023
Rep. Jill Tokuda Introduces the MAUI STRONG Act, a Bill to Support Maui Small Businesses and Nonprofits
(Hawaiʻi) - Today, Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) introduced the Micro-enterprise Assistance and Urgent Investment for Supporting Trade, Recovery Operations, and Neighborhood Growth (MAUI STRONG) Act, a bill that would provide nonprofits, small businesses with 25 or fewer employees, and independent contractors that experienced revenue loss because of the Maui fires grants of $20,000 to help with a variety of expenses. If enacted, the bill would establish the Emergency … Continue Reading
October 20, 2023
Rep. Jill Tokuda and Sen. Mazie Hirono Introduce Bill to Lessen Tax Burden for Those Impacted by Natural Disasters
(Washington, D.C.) Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02) and Sen. Mazie Hirono (HI) recently introduced the Natural Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2023. The bill would lessen the tax burden on people impacted by major natural disasters in 2023. It would allow more individuals impacted by the wildfires to claim a personal casualty loss by eliminating the requirement to itemize deductions and removing the 10 percent loss requirement to qualify. It would also waive the 10 percent penalty on hardship withdrawals … Continue Reading
October 19, 2023
Hawaiʻi Delegation Applauds $17.9 Million in Department of Energy Grants to Improve Renewable Energy Utilization and the Resilience of Hawaiʻi’s Power Systems
(Washington, D.C.)- Today, the Hawaiʻi congressional delegation applauded the news that the Department of Energy is awarding $3.5 billion in grants to 58 projects across 44 states to strengthen electric grid resilience and reliability across America, including $17.9 million to Hawaiʻi. The Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program was a part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The Program accelerates the deployment of transformative projects that will help to ensure … Continue Reading
October 17, 2023
Rep. Jill Tokuda Announces Second Kauaʻi Community Town Hall
(Hawaiʻi) - Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) will hold her second Kauaʻi community town hall. Community members are invited to join Rep. Tokuda in Kapaʻa, Kauaʻi on Wednesday, November 1, 2023. Tokuda will provide a legislative update and take questions and comments from attendees. For more information and to RSVP, please visit the events section on Rep. Tokuda’s website at tokuda.house.gov. Community Town Hall on Kauaʻi What: Kauaʻi Community Town Hall … Continue Reading
October 12, 2023
Rep. Jill Tokuda Announces Satellite Office Hour Events to Help Constituents Navigate the Federal Government
(Hawaiʻi) - Rep. Jill Tokuda’s office will be holding Satellite Office Hour events on Hawaiʻi Island, Oʻahu, Lānaʻi, and Molokaʻi to assist residents and businesses with inquiries on issues or problems that they are having with federal agencies. Tokuda’s office can provide support with passport issues, veteran’s benefits, Social Security, immigration, postal service problems, Medicare, and more. “Assisting constituents with navigating federal agencies is one of the most important ways that … Continue Reading
October 11, 2023
Hawaii Delegation Introduces Bicameral Resolution to Honor Victims and First Responders in Maui Wildfires
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Brian Schatz (D-HI) and U.S. Representatives Jill Tokuda (D-HI) and Ed Case (D-HI) introduced a bicameral resolution honoring the first responders and those who lost their lives in the devastating wildfires on Maui and expressing support for the communities of West and Upcountry Maui. The resolution was led by Senator Hirono in the Senate and Rep. Tokuda in the House and passed the Senate with the unanimous consent of all … Continue Reading
October 03, 2023
Rep. Jill Tokuda Votes to Oust Kevin McCarthy from the Speakership
(Washington, D.C.) Today, Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02) voted yes on the Resolution to Declare the Office of the Speaker Vacant (also known as the Motion to Vacate), thereby removing Rep. Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. Rep. Tokuda’s statement is as follows: “Since the beginning of his Speakership, Kevin McCarthy has been more concerned about keeping the gavel by catering to a handful of far-right extremists instead of taking care of the needs of our people … Continue Reading
September 30, 2023
Rep. Tokuda Votes to Prevent Shutdown, Keep Funding Federal Relief for Maui
(Washington, D.C.) Today, Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02) voted yes on the House bill to prevent a government shutdown and keep funding federal relief for Maui. Rep. Tokuda’s statement is as follows: “I have been clear over and over again - our Maui ‘ohana cannot afford a government shutdown that risks slowing down the relief they need to recover and rebuild. This bill is less than perfect and a temporary solution, but it will keep government open and replenishes FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund … Continue Reading
September 29, 2023
Rep. Tokuda and Rep. Balint Introduce the Addressing Addiction After Disasters Act
(Washington, D.C.) Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02) and Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) introduced the Addressing Addiction After Disasters Act. Following a summer of climate emergencies across the country, including in Hawaiʻi and Vermont, Americans are suffering the cost. While the physical damage is clear, disaster-stricken communities need resources to cope with the mental and emotional damage they endure. Current Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants are authorized to provide … Continue Reading
September 28, 2023
Rep. Jill Tokuda Testimony to House Energy and Commerce Committee on Maui Fires
(Washington, D.C.)- Today, Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) gave testimony to the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations on the deadly Maui fires. The Subcommittee is investigating the role that electric infrastructure played in the fires. A video of Rep. Tokuda’s remarks can be viewed here. Tokuda’s remarks as written: Chairman Griffith, Ranking Member Castor, and Members of the Subcommittee: Thank you for allowing us the … Continue Reading
September 27, 2023
Rep. Tokuda Announces Congressional App Challenge, Calls for Submissions from Middle School and High School Students
Hawaiʻi - Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) announced that her office is accepting student submissions for the 2023 Congressional App Challenge launched by the U.S. House of Representatives. “We need to encourage students to get excited about coding and app development, and thinking about a possible career in these fields,” stated Rep. Tokuda. “Competitions like the Congressional App Challenge stimulate creativity, innovation, and essential skillsets our young people will need for … Continue Reading
September 22, 2023
Rep. Tokuda Leads Letter to U.S. Department of the Interior Requesting Additional Support for Maui Fire Recovery, Cultural Preservation Efforts
(Washington, D.C.)- Today, Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02), along with House Natural Resources Ranking Member Raul Grijalva, and Rep. Ed Case sent a letter to Secretary Deb Haaland requesting that the Department of Interior (the Department) provide support for the environmental recovery and cultural preservation efforts on Maui and Hawaiʻi Island. The letter outlines four areas of concern for the Department to focus on: Environmental Stewardship Requesting that the … Continue Reading
September 22, 2023
Rep. Jill Tokuda (D-HI-02), Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN-01), Members Mark Successful Kickoff Event of the Bipartisan Rural Health Caucus
(Washington, D.C.)- On Wednesday, Representative Jill Tokuda (D-HI-02) and Representative Diana Harshbarger (R-TN-01) held the first kick-off event of the Bipartisan Rural Health Caucus. The event received wide participation, including from caucus members Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA-15), Rep. Susan Wild (D-PA-07), Rep. Carol Miller (R-WV-01), Rep. Andrea Salinas (D-OR-06), Rep. James C. Moylan (R-GU-00), Rep. Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13), and Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-NM-01). The event … Continue Reading
September 18, 2023
Rep. Jill Tokuda (D-HI-02) and Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN-01) to Hold First Kick-off Event of the Bipartisan Rural Health Caucus
(Washington, D.C.)- On Wednesday, Representative Jill Tokuda (D-HI-02) and Representative Diana Harshbarger (R-TN-01) will hold the kick-off event of the Bipartisan Rural Health Caucus. The roundtable-style event will include introductory remarks by the Caucus co-chairs and a short presentation by Carrie Cochran-McClain, Chief Policy Officer of the National Rural Health Association (NRHA). Members will also provide brief remarks about health care access in their districts as well as … Continue Reading
September 16, 2023
Hawaii Congressional Delegation Announces More than $42 Million in Federal Funding Grants to Expand Access to Trees and Green Space in Communities Throughout the State
(Washington, DC) - U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Mazie Hirono (D-HI), and U.S. Representatives Ed Case (HI-01) and Jill Tokuda (HI-02) today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded $42,585,500 in grants to nine organizations to plant and maintain trees, combat extreme heat, and improve access to green space in communities throughout the state. The largest award - $20 million - went to Kupu, a conservation and youth education nonprofit based in … Continue Reading
September 15, 2023
Rep. Jill Tokuda Accepting Applications for Military Service Academy Nominations
(Honolulu, HI) - Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) announced that her office is accepting applications from students in Hawaiʻi’s Second Congressional District for Military Service Academy Nominations. Qualified applicants must submit their applications no later than Monday, October 16th, 2023. Every year, members of Congress are given a limited number of candidates to nominate for appointment to the U.S. service academies. Rep. Tokuda can only nominate up to ten exceptional students … Continue Reading