Speeches & Testimony

Mr. Speaker, each May our country celebrates Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, in recognition of the history, culture and accomplishments of our Nation's historic and evolving AANHPI community. As the Representative for Hawaii's first Congressional District, I proudly serve one of our nation's largest populations of AANHPIs. Every day I witness… Read more »

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Mr. Speaker, This Friday, at Pearl Harbor, Admiral John C. Aquilino, callsign Lung, relinquishes command of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and closes four decades of service to our nation.   Throughout, Admiral Aquilino has exemplified loyalty to his oath. As IndoPacom, he has been fiercely realistic about the challenges we face and the actions we must take.   His rock… Read more »

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Chairman Rogers, Ranking Member Smith and members of the Committee: Good morning and aloha,  And thank you to the Committee for the opportunity to again testify on our annual National Defense Authorization Act.  I would like to highlight three points, all related to implementation of our National Defense Strategy and focusing on the Indo-Pacific and the pacing… Read more »

I rise in support of my bill, H.R. 7061,  the Healing and Economic Advancement for Local Businesses in Maui (HEAL Maui) Act, which would provide critical additional support to our small businesses which have been so severely affected by the devastating August 2023 Maui wildfires.   The Maui wildfires caused 100 known deaths, severely injured many others, and displaced… Read more »

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Small Business Committee Member Day Testimony November 30, 2023 Chair Williams, Ranking Member Velázquez and members of the Committee, Good morning and aloha. Thank you for the opportunity to address you today on the devasting August 223 Maui wildfires, in particular their deep impact on small businesses throughout Hawai’i and the need to adjust federal small business assistance… Read more »

Testimony to the House Budget Committee on the Sustainable Budget Act  November 29, 2023   Chair Arrington, Ranking Member Boyle and members of the Committee, Thank you for the opportunity to testify on the need for a bipartisan fiscal commission to address our nation’s fiscal crisis. Our budget is on an unsustainable path and the American people know it. Every metric –… Read more »