Mazie Hirono RSS Articles

Opportunities for Hawaii Entrepreneurs to Learn More About How to Utilize Federal Funding to Develop New Technologies and Innovations

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) has supported island entrepreneurs’ efforts to make use of more than $2 billion in federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) funding available through the U.S. Small Business Administration. The Congresswoman is pleased to see that the state’s High Technology Development Corporation is assisting Hawaii businesses in this effort.

To learn more on how to best apply for these competitive federal grants, island businesses can visit the website for the 11th Biennial Hawaii SBIR & STTR Conference, being held throughout the state from November 16-20, 2009. For more information, please visit the conference’s official website at: http://www.htdc.org/sbir-conference-2009/

Statement from Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono Commemorating Veterans Day

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Aloha,

This Veterans Day gives us another opportunity to honor the men and women in uniform who have demonstrated such courage and commitment in serving our country. Whenever I meet former and current members of our Armed Forces, National Guard, and Reserve, I am reminded of their unwavering dedication to serve and the sacrifice that they and their families have made during their deployments.

Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of meeting with one of Hawaii’s own, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Eric Shinseki, at a House Military Veterans Caucus event. Secretary Shinseki emphasized the importance of the VA working closely with the Defense Department to ensure that our servicemembers benefit from a seamless transition as they move from active duty to veteran status. He also expressed appreciation for Congress in passing legislation that allows the VA to increase the number of claims processors so that veterans can receive more timely payments of their disability claims.

In addition to listening to the concerns of veterans and military family organizations, Congress has been working closely with the Obama Administration to address the needs of our veterans and troops. We worked to enact legislation authorizing VA funding a year in advance so that the VA has adequate time to plan how to deliver the best medical care to our veterans. We provided stop loss payments to soldiers who have had their enlistments involuntarily extended, and we successfully passed a new and comprehensive GI bill that expands educational benefits for our troops.

I also worked closely with my colleagues to provide long-denied benefits to Filipino veterans who honorably answered the call of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and served alongside our armed forces during World War II. They fought shoulder to shoulder with American servicemen and sacrificed for the same just cause.

I am humbled by the courage and dedication of the men and women who have put themselves in harm’s way in service of our country. We must never forget all that we owe to them. I will continue to support strengthening benefits for our wounded warriors and for the families of those who have lost their lives.

I would like to take a moment to pay tribute to the soldiers and civilians who were wounded or lost their lives as a result of the senseless act of violence that took place at Fort Hood on November 5th. I hope that the wounded make a full and speedy recovery, and my thoughts and prayers go out to the families of those who lost their loved ones. Our thanks to all those who sprung into action to assist those in need on that tragic day.

Warmest aloha to all of our men and women in uniform who have served and continue to serve our country so nobly.

Statement of Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono In support of H.R. 3962

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Madam Speaker:

The U.S. Congress has been grappling with how to provide all our citizens with access to affordable, quality health care since the time of President Harry Truman. H.R. 3962 represents a critical milestone in the effort to reform our health care system.

For those who have it, health insurance is not something you can take for granted. Every day 14,000 Americans lose their health insurance coverage. A recent U.S. Treasury Department report noted that approximately half of all Americans under the age of 65 will lose their health insurance coverage at some point over the next ten years. Thousands are denied coverage because of pre-existing conditions like asthma, pregnancy, arthritis, or diabetes. Millions more have no health insurance at all, including 54,000 people who live in Hawaii’s Second Congressional District.

In his health care speech before Congress and the nation, President Obama appealed to the best part of us – to act unselfishly, and to put ourselves in the shoes of others. He asked us to imagine what it must be like for those who don’t have insurance – to live in a state of helplessness should illness strike you or the ones you love.

H.R. 3962 is a bill that will provide for comprehensive health care reform that will protect consumers, hold insurance companies accountable, rein in health care costs, reduce the deficit, and cover 36 million uninsured Americans. In supporting this bill, I want to highlight three key points. First, for Hawaii the bill includes the Hirono Amendment that provides an exemption for Hawaii’s Prepaid Health Care Act of 1974, which is our nation’s first and only employer mandate law of its kind. Second, the bill will provide health insurance coverage for an unprecedented number of Americans while still reducing our deficit. And third, the bill strengthens and improves the Medicare program for our seniors.

First, there is a mistaken perception that everything and everyone in Hawaii is exempted under H.R. 3962. That is not so. The Hirono Amendment only exempts Hawaii’s Prepaid Health Care Act (PHCA) and those who come under it (certain full-time employees and their employers). PHCA does not apply to part-time employees, seniors on Medicare, those without health insurance, government employees, or those covered by collective bargaining agreements. Therefore, H.R. 3962 would apply to them. I know it is easier to talk in terms of the State of Hawaii being exempt from the bill, but that is wrong. The distinction between PHCA being exempt and the whole state being exempt is a critical distinction to make.

PHCA requires employers to contribute at least 50 percent of the premium cost for single health care coverage, and the employee must contribute the balance, provided the employee’s share does not exceed 1.5 percent of his or her wages. Because of rising health care costs, Hawaii employers on average cover 94 percent of the premium cost because of the second part of Hawaii’s law limiting employees’ share. Hawaii employers may cover the full cost of the health insurance premium and many do cover 100 percent of the cost of single coverage. H.R. 3962 would require employers to cover 72.5 percent of premium costs for single health care coverage.

Hawaii consistently ranks among the highest nationally in terms of insurance coverage and lowest in regard to the number of uninsured. This is largely due to PHCA. Private and public health insurance cover an estimated 92 percent of our population of 1.3 million people. Of those with private insurance, 93 percent are covered through employment-based plans.

Lawrence Boyd, an economist at the University of Hawaii, estimates that per capita health expenditures in Hawaii are seven percent lower than the national average. Dr. Boyd believes that wider health insurance coverage and support for preventive health care lead to this outcome.
The Hirono Amendment will provide maximum flexibility for Hawaii once a federal health care reform bill becomes law. Hawaii will be able to decide for itself to retain PHCA or come completely under the new federal law.

Second, H.R. 3962 will ensure that 96 percent of Americans will have health insurance coverage. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that the cost of enacting H.R. 3962 will be $894 billion, consistent with the $900 billion limit established by President Obama. The bill is fully paid for. About half of the cost of H.R. 3962 is paid for by targeting waste, fraud, and inefficiency in the federal Medicaid and Medicare programs. The other roughly half of the cost of the bill is paid for through a surcharge on the wealthiest Americans - those with incomes above $1 million for couples and $500,000 for singles; therefore, 99.7 percent of Americans will not be touched by this surtax.

While H.R. 3962 will be paid for, CBO also estimates that the bill reduces the deficit by over $100 billion in the first 10 years, and continues to reduce the deficit in subsequent years. Leading economists from educational institutions across our nation have concurred with CBO’s findings and support the idea that health care reform promotes our country’s economic health.

Finally, I want to address the importance of health care reform to seniors. Some of the most damaging misinformation that has circulated over the past several months on health care reform is the use of scare tactics targeted at seniors. The cynical irony is that the misinformation targeting seniors is largely perpetuated by the same people who fought the establishment of Medicare and wanted to privatize Social Security.

The truth is that H.R. 3962 will lower prescription drug costs for people in the doughnut hole; give the Secretary of Health and Human Services the authority to negotiate lower drug prices on behalf of Medicare beneficiaries; and extend the solvency of the Medicare Trust fund by five years.

Closing the doughnut hole is an especially critical issue for Hawaii, as we have the nation’s largest percentage – 36 percent compared with 26 percent – of Medicare beneficiaries who fall into this gap of prescription drug coverage. In its first year, H.R. 3962 will reduce the doughnut hole by $500 per beneficiary, provide a 50 percent discount on brand-name prescription drugs, and phase out the doughnut hole by 2019.

It is remarkable that in just the past two days, over 300 groups representing Americans from all walks of life – doctors, farmers, seniors, consumers, cancer and diabetes patients – have rejected the unsustainable status quo and have endorsed H.R. 3962. In its endorsement of the bill, Consumers Union – publisher of the independent, non-partisan Consumer Reports – called the health care status quo a “consumer crisis with its crippling costs, its unreliability, and lack of access,” and strongly endorsed the House of Representatives health care bill because it will create a “a more secure, affordable health care system.” Other groups endorsing the House bill include the: American Medical Association, American Nurses Association, AARP, AFL-CIO, AFSCME, Americans for Democratic Action, American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association, Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum, Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations, National Association of Community Health Centers, National Education Association, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, and from my district, Lana‘i Community Health Center.

Now is the time to end insurance discrimination based on pre-existing conditions or gender. Now is the time to begin to close the Medicare doughnut hole for America’s seniors. Now is the time to bring change to a broken system.

I urge my colleagues to vote in support of H.R. 3962.

Aloha and mahalo.

U.S. House Passes Historic Health Care Reform Bill That Includes Hirono Amendment

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono’s (D-Hawai‘i) tonight voted for the Affordable Health Care for America Act of 2009, H.R. 3962, continuing the Congresswoman’s efforts to help reform America’s ailing health care system while protecting Hawaii’s workers’ current health care benefits mandated under Hawaii law. The House passed H.R. 3962 by a vote of 220 yeas to 215 nays.

“Tonight was historic,” said Hirono. “This healthcare vote has been likened to the votes creating Social Security and Medicare, programs that the naysayers of the time called socialism, government takeover, too expensive, not necessary. Sound familiar? And yet, Social Security and Medicare have significantly improved the lives of millions of Americans. So too will this bill. I believe that this vote will be a watershed moment for our country, and it was a great privilege for me to be here to vote ‘Yes’.”

“Congress at long last is taking steps to address the long-festering problem of how to make affordable health care available to all Americans without adding to our deficit. It’s taken more than 60 years to get here—and the forces in support of the status quo are powerful foes indeed. They have resorted to scare tactics and outright lies to fight this bill tooth and nail. And it’s not over yet.”

The monumental House health care reform bill includes the “Hirono Amendment,” which provides an exemption for Hawaii’s Prepaid Health Care Act, as long as it meets or exceeds the national standards in H.R. 3962. Hawaii’s Prepaid Health Care Act applies to certain full-time employees and their employers. It does not apply to part-time employees, seniors on Medicare, those without health insurance, government employees, or those covered by collective bargaining agreements. Therefore, H.R. 3962 would apply to them.

The Affordable Health Care for America Act establishes sweeping health care reforms in a way that reduces the deficit, provides stability and security for Americans who currently have health insurance, and an affordable, quality public option for those without coverage. The bill also strengthens Medicare for seniors by improving benefits, including closing the ‘doughnut hole’ on prescription drug coverage.

“This bill protects vulnerable families by ending the practice of discriminating against consumers for pre-existing conditions,” said Hirono. “This bill stops the insurance companies from charging more to cover women simply because of their gender. Another important consumer protection provision the bill establishes is the creation of a process for annual insurance rate review with the goal of keeping private insurance companies accountable to their customers.”

Statement by Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono Addressing AP Article on Hirono Amendment

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

A number of you have read the Associated Press article titled, “Health Reform Bill Allows Hawaii to Opt Out.” Portions of this article are misleading and made to sound as if I want Hawaii to be excluded from our nation’s historic health care reform efforts. That is simply not true. I am, and always have been, a strong supporter of reforming our country’s broken health care system. I will be voting for passage of H.R. 3962, the House health care reform bill.

The biggest mistaken perception about how Hawaii will be treated under H.R. 3962 is that everything and everyone in Hawaii is exempted. Not so. The Hirono Amendment only exempts Hawaii’s Prepaid Health Care Act (PHCA) and those who come under it (certain full-time employees and their employers). PHCA does not apply to part-time employees, seniors on Medicare, those without health insurance, government employees, or those covered by collective bargaining agreements. Therefore, H.R. 3962 would apply to them. I know it is easier to talk in terms of the State of Hawaii being exempt from the bill, but that is wrong. The distinction between PHCA being exempt and the whole state being exempt is a critical distinction to make.

PHCA requires employers to contribute at least 50 percent of the premium cost for single health care coverage, and the employee must contribute the balance, provided the employee’s share does not exceed 1.5 percent of his or her wages. Because of rising health care costs, Hawaii employers on average cover 94 percent – not the 98.5 percent mentioned in the article – of the premium cost because of the second part of Hawaii’s law. Hawaii employers may cover the full cost of the health insurance premium and many do cover 100 percent of the cost of single coverage. H.R. 3962 would require employers to cover 72.5 percent of premium costs for single health care coverage.

The Hirono Amendment will provide maximum flexibility for Hawaii once a federal health care reform bill becomes law. Hawaii will be able to decide for itself to retain PHCA or come completely under the new federal law.

On the Importance of Health Care Reform to Women

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Madam Speaker:

Few Americans have more at stake in health care reform than women.

40 states allow private health insurance companies to gender rate their premiums. As a result, a 25 year old woman may pay between 6 percent and 45 percent more than a 25 year old man for the same coverage.

52 percent of women reported postponing or forgoing medical care because of cost. Only 39 percent of men report having had those experiences.

9 states allow private plans to refuse coverage for domestic violence survivors.

88 percent of private insurance plans do not cover comprehensive maternity care.

In many policies, a previous c-section and being pregnant are considered pre-existing conditions.

Less than half of all women in America have employer-sponsored insurance. This is partly due to the fact that more women tend to work for small businesses or have part-time jobs where health insurance is not offered.

Women matter. Health care reform matters. I urge my colleagues support for change to a broken system.

Congresswoman Hirono Applauds Secretary Duncan and Retired Military Leaders' Commitment to Quality Early Education

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) applauded the joint announcement today by U.S. Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan and members of the non-profit organization Mission: Readiness urging further investment in America’s early education efforts. The Congresswoman also expressed dismay over a new report that indicates 100,000 young adults in the state of Hawaii wouldn’t qualify to enlist in the U.S. military, whether they wanted to sign up or not.

At a press conference held at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, Secretary Duncan joined several retired generals and admirals, including Former NATO Supreme Commander General Wesley Clark, in releasing a Mission: Readiness report that details the fact that 75% of young Americans are unable to serve their country because they have either failed to graduate high school, engaged in criminal activity, or are physically or mentally unfit.

“This report highlights one more reason why quality early education is critical to the success of our nation,” said Congresswoman Hirono. “Today these retired military generals and admirals are telling us that quality early education and an educated populace are a matter of national security. They join a growing chorus of voices calling for increased investments in quality early education.”

Congresswoman Hirono is a member of the House Education and Labor Committee, and an acknowledged champion of quality early education. The House passed a bill in September which included the Early Learning Challenge Fund, an $8 billion grant program containing many of the features of Hirono’s PRE-K Act. The bill is now being considered by the U.S. Senate. To learn more about the Early Learning Challenge Fund or the PRE-K act, visit Congresswoman Hirono’s website: www.hirono.house.gov.

“We need a well-educated workforce, including a strong and well-educated military,” said Secretary Duncan. “President Obama has a cradle-to-career agenda. It starts with improving early learning opportunities, continues with K-12 reform to reduce the number of dropouts, and it concludes with efforts to make college accessible and affordable to all. This will build our economy to compete in the global marketplace.

Mission: Readiness is a nonprofit, bipartisan organization made up of retired military leaders that is dedicated to ensuring national security by investing in early education to better prepare our youth for future military and career readiness. You can learn more about this organization at their website: www.missionreadiness.org.

The Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Reauthorization Act of 2009

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Madam Speaker:

I rise today to introduce the Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Reauthorization Act of 2009. This legislation is a companion to S. 76, which was introduced earlier this year by Senator Daniel K. Inouye.

Native Hawaiians, like American Indians and Alaska Natives, are an indigenous, native people. The Native Hawaiian Health Care Act of 1988 (42 USC 11701 et seq.) provided the authority for the establishment of a range of programs and services designed to improve the health care status of the native people of Hawaii. While Native Hawaiian health care programs have been continuously funded since 1988, they have not been reauthorized since 1992. The bill I introduce today will reauthorize the Native Hawaiian Health Care Act through 2014.

Native Hawaiians have the highest cancer mortality rates in the State of Hawaii (216.8 out of every 100,000 male residents and 191.6 out of every 100,000 female residents). These cancer rates are 21% higher than for the total state male population (179.0 out of every 100,000 residents) and 64% higher than that for the total state female population (117.0 per 100,000). With respect to breast cancer, Native Hawaiians have the highest mortality rates in the Hawaii and nationally Native Hawaiians have the third highest mortality rates.

The death rate from heart disease for Native Hawaiians is 68% higher than that for the entire population of the State of Hawaii. The death rate from hypertension is 84% higher sand the death rate from stroke is 20% higher for Native Hawaiians than for the general population of the State of Hawaii.

Congress has previously recognized the unique and historical relationship between the United States and the indigenous people of Hawaii. I urge my colleagues continued support for the health and wellbeing of Native Hawaiians.

Mahalo (thank you).

Congresswoman Hirono Discusses Health Care Reform Bill with Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) today met with Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, to discuss the Hirono Amendment and the House health care reform bill, H.R. 3962.

Congresswoman Hirono wanted to bring her amendment to Secretary Sebelius’ personal attention as Hawaii has been ahead of its time in providing for the health and wellbeing of its residents. The Congresswoman is a member of the House Education and Labor Committee, one of three committees given jurisdiction over the crafting the House version of the health care reform bill.

Adopted by the Education and Labor Committee in July, the Hirono Amendment would exempt Hawaii’s Prepaid Health Care Act of 1974 from the underlying bill. The Hirono Amendment will provide maximum flexibility for Hawaii once a national health care reform plan is adopted. Under the amendment, the State would work with the newly established Office of the Health Choices Commissioner to determine how Hawaii’s law will operate within the national framework. Hawaii would also be able to decide for itself if it will keep the Prepaid Health Care Act or choose to completely fall under the federal law.

Congresswoman Hirono also discussed the importance of establishing an insurance rate review with the goal of keeping private insurance companies accountable to their customers. H.R. 3962 would discourage excessive price increases by insurance companies through review and disclosure of insurance rate increases and rationale for such increases.

Secretary Sebelius, who previously served as the Kansas State Insurance Commissioner, assured the Congresswoman that the Department would work with the states on ensuring data collection and accountability in health insurance rates.

The U.S. House is expected to work on the health care reform bill through this weekend.

Congresswoman Hirono helps secure $12.3 million in Hawaii funding in FY2010 Interior Appropriations Bill

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

The U.S. House of Representatives today passed the FY2010 Interior Appropriations bill, H.R. 2996, which includes several funding requests by Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) that enhance wildlife habitat, combat invasive species, protect our waters, and preserve historical sites specific to the islands. The legislation passed out the House by a vote of 247 yeas to 178 nays.

H.R. 2996 includes $12,360,000 in FY2010 funds for six projects in the State of Hawaii that Congresswoman Hirono requested. Many of the projects approved for funding were also requested by Senators Daniel Inouye and Daniel Akaka and Congressman Neil Abercrombie.
These include:

• $7,400,000 to complete the expansion of the James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge on Oahu’s North Shore, which will benefit four endangered Hawaiian waterbirds.
• $1,460,000 to build a research and education center for the recently established Hawaii Tropical Experimental Forest on the island of Hawaii
• $1,000,000 for invasive species management
• $1,000,000 for restoration of Kilauea Point lighthouse on Kauai
• $1,000,000 for expansion of the Waimea Wastewater facility on Kauai
• $500,000 for the Native Hawaiian Arts and Culture Program
(Project details are listed below)

In addition to Congresswoman Hirono’s earmarks, the bill provides $3 million to address concerns brought to light by the recently published multi-agency report The State of the Birds, United States of America, 2009, which specifically highlighted the dire situation faced by Hawaii’s endangered birds. The conference report on the bill recommended that a significant portion of the $3 million be used to develop a comprehensive strategy, hire staff, and begin on-the-ground projects to recover endangered and threatened bird species in Hawaii. This is in line with Congresswoman Hirono’s requests to the committee for $1.5 million for captive breeding programs for highly endangered forest birds and $7 million for implementation of a recovery plan for an endangered Hawaiian honeycreeper, the Palila.

Another highlight of the bill was the inclusion by Senator Inouye of an authorization for a special resource study of the site of the former World War II era Honouliuli Internment Camp. This will accomplish the goals of Senator Inouye’s Honouliuli Internment Camp Special Resources Study Act of 2009 (S. 871); Congresswoman Hirono introduced the House companion to that bill (H.R. 2079). The study will determine the historical significance of the Honouliuli site related to the forcible internment of Japanese Americans, European Americans, and other individuals.

“I consider every one of these projects essential in preserving our island environment, natural resources, and historic locations,” said Congresswoman Hirono. “I recently visited the site of the Honouliuli Internment Camp where some of the camp structures still stand. While the confining of Japanese-Americans during World War II is seen as a dark chapter in Hawaii’s history, and the history of our country, preserving such locations is important to ensure that type of injustice never happens again.”

Additional details:

$7,400,000 for James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge
This funding will be used to finalize the acquisition of remaining land (to a total of approximately 1,100 acres) on Oahu’s north shore in order to complete the establish of the James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge as a natural coastal dune and wetland ecosystem. Established in 1976, James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge is considered one of the premier endangered Hawaiian waterbird recovery areas in the state.

$1,460,000 for Construction of a Research and Education Center at the Hawaii Experimental Tropical Forest
These funds are an addition to the U.S. Forest Service’s budget designated to establish and build a Research and Education center necessary to achieve the potential of the recently established Hawaii Experimental Tropical Forest on the island of Hawaii. The new facility will serve as a center for long-term research as well as a focal point for developing and transferring knowledge and expertise for the management of tropical landscapes.

$1,000,000 for Invasive Species Management
This represents additional funding to the Fish and Wildlife Service’s Partners for Fish and Wildlife budget to continue its ongoing efforts to address invasive species issues in the State of Hawaii. These funds are needed to reduce the impact of invasive species already present and the potential of future introductions on Hawaii’s endangered species, insular ecosystems, and human health, as well as the viability of its tourism and agriculture-based economy.

$1,000,000 for Kilauea Point Lighthouse Restoration
This funding will go toward the cost of restoring Kilauea Point Lighthouse, which is part of the Kilauea Point Light Station National Historic Site on this island of Kauai. The lighthouse, which was built in 1931 has national significance as a historical landmark based on its associations with the evolution of trans-oceanic commerce, architectural merit, special role in the history of the Army’s Air Corps, and contribution to the island’s visitor industry.

$1,000,000 for Waimea Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion
These funds will assist the County of Kauai in meeting design and construction costs for expansion of the Waimea Wastewater Treatment Plant on the island of Kauai. The total project cost is $12,000,000. The Waimea Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) was originally constructed in the 1970s and has a capacity of 300,000 gallons per day (gpd), an average daily flow. Currently, the plant is operating at approximately 90 percent capacity, and the County is restricting new sewer service connections due to the lack of available WWTP capacity. Funds are needed to expand the capacity of the WWTP by approximately 700,000 gpd.

$500,000 for Native Hawaiian Arts and Culture Program
This funding will help fuel the Native Hawaiian Culture and Arts Program in order to foster a greater sense of cultural awareness and ethnic pride among Native Hawaiians. NHCAP’s efforts are focused on assisting Hawaiians to be practitioners of the culture in a rapidly changing multicultural world. The program also aims to share knowledge of and celebrate Hawaiian art and culture, which include educational programs, exhibits, publications, and increased access to Bishop’s Museum’s vast cultural collections (artifacts, documents, and images).

* * * * *

The 111th Congress increased accountability and transparency in the earmarking process. Every member’s appropriations requests are listed on that member’s website. Congresswoman Hirono’s requests can be accessed at http://hirono.house.gov/FY2010AppropriationsRequests.shtml.