When things go wrong, when disaster strikes, the first call most of us will make is 911. On August 8, 2023, dispatchers at Maui's 911 call center were the ones that answered over 4,500 callers as they called in about the wildfires that…

Safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine options have been readily available since 2021.

I think part of it is while DMED seems to be more of that open source that you have it is also very--it's very limited.

But if the user is unsophisticated to understand that it's limited, what you're going to have out there is misinformation and false assumptions.

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of using a fact-driven science-based approach to this conversation today.

Last week in Lahaina, my team and I participated in a morning pule, or prayer, that EPA and Army Corps workers do each day with the cultural monitors who join them. Standing in a circle, they speak `` 'olelo Hawaii,'' ``Hawaiian…

On February 19, 1942, President Roosevelt signed Executive Order No. 9066, which led to the forced removal and incarceration of over 120,000 individuals of Japanese ancestry. My great-grandfather, Seiki Takasato, was one such ``issei,''…

Last week on Thursday I flew to Maui to be with our Lahaina ohana as we mark the 6-month anniversary of the fires. On Sunday, our hearts were full and our eyes were misty as we watched our Lunas do the coin toss at the Super Bowl. Just…

As a member of the House Agriculture Committee, the impact of the fires on Maui and Hawaii Island were not lost on me. The USDA estimates that over $23 million were lost in revenue, crops, property, and livestock. With 8,350 acres of…

Last week I joined thousands of people, ``kama'aina'' ``locals'' and ``malihini'' ``guests'' alike in walking from ``mauka'' ``inland'' to ``makai'' ``the ocean'' in Lahaina in a celebration of unity and healing. We lost so much in the…

For so many of our Maui `` 'ohana,'' ``family,'' stable housing for their families and the ability to manage mortgages for lost homes keep them up at night. Earlier this month, the State of Hawaii, Maui County, FEMA, and various…

Among the cherished symbols of our Lahaina community burned and lost last August was the former King Kamehameha III Elementary School. If the historic banyan tree represents the proud roots and history of this community, then King…

For my final Maui minute this year, I rise on behalf of my constituents to offer a heartfelt ``mahalo,'' ``thank you,'' to everyone who has played a role in our recovery so far: To the first responders on that dreadful day who fought the…

In reviewing the testimony today it was not immediately obvious to me that the Department and the services are uniformly recruiting...

Hawaii has a proud immigrant tradition, with many of us able to trace our roots across the globe. Few places in Hawaii exemplify our diversity more than Lahaina, where nearly a third of the residents are foreign-born. They came from the…

You have heard today so many tales of tragedy and disparity across our country in rural America, but also through the legislation, bills, and advocacy that we have seen from our Bipartisan Rural Health Caucus members, so many opportunities…

Unfortunately, the sad reality is that if you are living in rural America, you are more likely to experience lower health expectations, lower health quality, and lower life expectancy simply because of your ability to access healthcare…

As you can see, we have strong leadership across this great country that is making sure that the health and wellness of rural America is taken care of. I am so appreciative of all the members of our caucus that have stepped forward and…

I say mahalo to Representative LaMalfa, and I will extend a great deal of gratitude for helping to guide us through a crisis that is hitting rural America far too often, natural disasters, as we are seeing it. I look forward to also now…

Mahalo to my co-chair, Representative Harshbarger, for providing leadership and insight for many, many years in this particular area and serving on the front line as a pharmacist in her own community. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman…

It is my honor to rise today as co-chair of the Bipartisan Rural Health Caucus to commence hosting the Special Order hour in celebration of National Rural Health Month. Every year, National Rural Health Month is a time for us all to bring…

Even before the fires destroyed over 2,000 homes on Maui, our entire State faced a dire housing crisis. Three months later, over 6,500 people find themselves living temporarily in hotels. While many have had to move multiple times, these…

As you heard, across our country, we have strong leadership on rural health, much action to be taken, and many opportunities that we need to make sure that we seize. We have talked a lot about rural America, from California to Pennsylvania…

Today, I rise to honor the life and legacy of Darlene Kehaulani Butts, known by many as Auntie Kehau. Born and raised in Wahiawa, Oahu, and a proud graduate of Leilehua High School, Auntie Kehau dedicated her life to serving her community…

Today, for my Maui minute, I rise to recognize and extend a heartfelt mahalo to the brave first responders and disaster workers who rushed in to evacuate and support our people and communities since the devastating wildfires on Maui. From…