Mazie Keiko Hirono is the junior United States senator from Hawaiʻi, serving since 2013. She previously represented Hawaiʻi’s 2nd congressional district in the U.S. House (2007–2013) after a long career in state politics, including service in the Hawaiʻi House of Representatives (1981–1994).
Hirono also served as Hawaiʻi’s tenth lieutenant governor (1994–2002) and was the Democratic nominee for governor in 2002. Born in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, she moved to Hawaiʻi as a child, became a naturalized U.S. citizen, earned a B.A. in psychology from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, and later received her J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center.
In the Senate, Hirono is a prominent progressive voice on civil rights, reproductive freedom, healthcare, and protecting voting access, alongside strong attention to veterans’ services and national security issues important to Hawaiʻi. She has been a consistent critic of conservative judicial nominees and a high- profile participant in major confirmation hearings.
Hirono is a trailblazing figure in U.S. politics: the first woman elected to the Senate from Hawaiʻi, the first Asian American woman elected to the Senate, and the first U.S. senator born in Japan. She is also widely recognized as the first Buddhist senator, though she has described herself as a non-practicing Buddhist.
Progressive
Committee Assignments
Caucus Memberships
Achievements
- Broke multiple barriers as the first female senator from Hawaiʻi and the first Asian American woman elected to the U.S. Senate.
- High-profile work on judicial oversight and civil rights as a senior member of the Judiciary Committee.
- Consistent advocacy for healthcare expansion, including support for Medicare for All and protection of the Affordable Care Act.
- Championed voting access and youth participation, including support for expanded youth voting rights legislation.
- Elevated Hawaiʻi priorities in Congress across veterans’ care, climate resilience, and ocean/environmental protection.
Controversies
- Drew criticism for sharp, confrontational rhetoric during high- salience judicial confirmation hearings.
- Accusations from opponents that her approach to court nominees is overly partisan and procedurally aggressive.
- Periodic pushback from business groups on environmental and regulatory priorities affecting energy and development.
- Became a national lightning rod in polarized moments following major Supreme Court and election-integrity controversies.
- Faces recurring intra-state tensions between conservation goals and development/infrastructure demands.
Top Donors
| Donor | Total | Individuals | PACs |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Hawaii | $25,280 | $25,280 | $0 |
| Clifford Law Offices | $23,100 | $23,100 | $0 |
| State of Hawaii | $21,117 | $21,117 | $0 |
| Hawaiian Electric | $20,750 | $20,750 | $0 |
| Nan Inc | $19,000 | $19,000 | $0 |
Amounts shown reflect reported cycle totals; “Individuals” vs. “PACs” are as provided.
Recent Elections
2012 Margin D +25.2%
2018 Margin D +42.4%
2024 Margin D +30.0%