Kauai heads to the Hill – The Garden Island

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI) welcomed more than 200 individuals from Hawaii, including Senate President Ron Kouchi, staff from the Mayor’s Office and members of the Kauai County Council, for the 10th annual Hawaii on the Hill earlier this week.

Hawaii on the Hill is a partnership between Hirono, a member of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, and the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii. It provides member of the Hawaii business community — this year being representative of more than 90 small businesses — with the opportunity to showcase Hawaii businesses and products, meet directly with congressional leaders, and share the aloha spirit with member of Congress, their staff and the District of Columbia community.

“As Hawaii families continue to struggle under the Trump regime’s cost of living crisis, it’s critical we fight to boost our state’s economy,” Hirono said in a press release. “For 10 years, that’s what Hawaii on the Hill has been all about, bringing the best of Hawaii — our small businesses, local entrepreneurs and cultural ambassadors — to Washington, D.C.

“From our Policy Summit with congressional leaders, to the flagship Taste of Hawaii, I am proud to carry on this tradition of partnering with the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii to support our small businesses and show the rest of the country what the aloha spirit is all about.”

In addition to Hirono and Chamber of Commerce Hawaii President and CEO Sherry Menor, Kouchi served as an Honorary Co-Chair of Hawaii on the Hill.

“Hawaii on the Hill has always been about bringing Hawaii’s voice directly to Washington, and this year’s 10th annual event was our most impactful yet,” Menor said. “Anchored by our 2030 Blueprint for Hawaii, our state’s road map for a more diversified, resilient economy, this year’s program was designed to advance Hawaii’s future on the national stage.”

Menor continued, “In honor of our 10th anniversary, we hosted 10 events, from record-breaking attendance at Taste of Hawaii on the Hill to our largest-ever Kama‘aina Come Home gathering, and our first-ever Appropriations 101 session led by Sen. Hirono’s staff, we connected Hawaii’s business community directly to the federal opportunities that matter most. We are deeply grateful to Sen. Hirono and her team for their partnership, and we look forward to building on this momentum together.”

Earlier in the week, Hirono participated in a talk story event moderated by Menor where attendees had the opportunity to hear from Hirono about her work in the Senate to support Hawaii businesses and communities. They later engaged with the senator in a question-and-answer period.

On the day following, Hirono hosted the Hawaii on the Hill Policy Summit where speakers discussed a variety of issues important to businesses in Hawaii and across the country, including the unique challenges local businesses in Hawaii face, programs that provide support for businesses and nonprofits in Hawaii, and building community resilience and partnerships.

Specifically, the speakers shared updates on the states of agriculture, tourism, small businesses and tariffs following nearly 18 months of the Trump Administration.

More than 1,600 people attended the Taste of Hawaii on Capitol Hill that was held on Wednesday, hosted by Hirono and the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii. The event allowed members of Congress and their staff to experience and learn more about Hawaii’s unique culture through cuisine, music and more.

Attendees enjoyed live music performed by Hawaii artists as they visit different tables and sampled different products from across the islands.

Some of this year’s participating exhibitors included the Hawaii Farm Bureau, Aloun Farms, Kauai Kookie Company, Koloa Rum, Lappert’s Ice Cream, The Orchid Lei Company, the Hawaiian Chip Company, Maui Gold and the University of Hawaii.