Press Releases

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement after the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced it is providing nearly $95 million to Hawai‘i to cover the cost of temporary housing at hotels, meals, and services for those impacted by the Maui fires. “This is a down payment on what is necessary, but it is essential help. We will keep working as hard as we can to help to bring federal resources for Lahaina’s recovery,” said Senator Schatz,...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) announced the nomination of Shanlyn A.S. Park to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii. Park was among those recommended to President Biden by Senators Hirono and Schatz, and a merit-based Federal Judicial Selection Commission. “With decades of experience practicing law in Hawai‘i—including nearly two decades as a public defender—Judge Shanlyn A.S. Park has shown herself to be fair,...

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) delivered remarks on the Senate floor discussing the impact of the deadly fires on Maui last month and underscoring the need for continued federal support in the months ahead. “People of every age and every background have been devastated by these fires. And their needs are so enormous, they simply cannot do it alone. So it’s our responsibility here in Congress to provide relief – in any way that we can, for as long as people need it,”...

HONOLULU – Following calls from U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i) and U.S. Representatives Ed Case (D-Hawai‘i) and Jill Tokuda (D-Hawai‘i), President Joe Biden sent an updated request to Congress to increase the supplemental Disaster Relief Fund by $4 billion, bringing the new request total to $16 billion. “The President said he would do whatever it takes to help to Maui, and this is a down payment on that commitment. The recovery will take significant...

HONOLULU – U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i) today announced the nomination of Micah Smith to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawai‘i. Smith was among those recommended to President Biden by Senators Hirono and Schatz, and a merit-based Federal Judicial Selection Commission. “Micah Smith is an excellent nominee whose professional experience as a federal prosecutor, along with his personal experience as a public school graduate and...

HONOLULU – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) issued the following statement after the death of three U.S. Marines involved in an aircraft accident during training exercises in Australia. All three Marines were based out of Kane‘ohe Bay. “We mourn the loss of these Marines who dedicated their lives to protecting our country. They called Hawai‘i home and will be missed by their communities. We’re thinking of their loved ones and hope the other injured Marines make a speedy recovery,” said...

HONOLULU – U.S. Senators Brian Schatz and Mazie K. Hirono, U.S. Representatives Ed Case and Jill Tokuda, Governor Josh Green, M.D., and Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke today announced that the Federal Communications Commission has temporarily waived certain eligibility rules to ensure that people receiving federal disaster assistance due to the Maui fires can easily apply for and enroll in Lifeline, a federal program that helps lower the cost of phone and internet service for those in...

HONOLULU – Ahead of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra’s visit to Maui tomorrow, U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i) and U.S. Representatives Ed Case (D-Hawai‘i) and Jill Tokuda (D-Hawai‘i) today called on the Secretary to take additional federal actions to support mental health, child care, and language services for survivors. “As you visit Maui, we ask you to take further actions to support the survivors, and ensure...

HONOLULU – Ahead of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra’s visit to Maui tomorrow, U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i) and U.S. Representatives Ed Case (D-Hawai‘i) and Jill Tokuda (D-Hawai‘i) today called on the Secretary to take additional federal actions to support mental health, child care, and language services for survivors. “As you visit Maui, we ask you to take further actions to support the survivors, and ensure...

HONOLULU – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) thanked President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden for visiting Lahaina and the strong federal response to the devastating fires, on Monday saying, “Mahalo to the President and the First Lady for making this historic trip to be here in our time of need. We in Hawai‘i have been through hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis, but we have never seen such a robust federal response.” Schatz reiterated that in a letter to the President, and...

HONOLULU – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced it has allocated $1.3 million in Rapid Unsheltered Survivor Housing (RUSH) funding to assist people experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness after the Maui fires. The disaster response and recovery funding will provide emergency shelter, rapid re-housing support and other forms of assistance to both individuals who were...

HONOLULU – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration approved a Quick Release request for $3 million in Emergency Relief for Federal-Aid Highways (ERFA) funding to the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation for repairs following the Maui fires. “Restoring our roads and highways is a critical step in the cleanup and recovery process on Maui, and I thank DOT for moving quickly to approve this...

HONOLULU – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai?i) released a comprehensive guide to help individuals, workers, veterans, and small businesses impacted by the recent fires on Maui access federal resources and programs made available through President Biden’s disaster declaration. The guide includes information on how to apply for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Assistance – including at the newly-opened Disaster Recovery Center on Maui – as well as Small Business...

HONOLULU ¬ U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement after several federal agencies announced new measures to deliver assistance and resources to people on Maui and across Hawai‘i impacted by the fires. “So many people, from families to businesses, have been impacted and displaced by these fires and they will need all the help they can get from the federal government to get back on their feet. I thank FEMA, the SBA, and the USDA for taking...

HONOLULU – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement on President Joe Biden’s approval of a presidential disaster declaration that will bring significant relief to communities on Maui and Hawai‘i Island impacted by the ongoing fires. Schatz led calls urging the President to quickly approve the state’s disaster declaration request. “Recovering from these devastating fires will take significant time and resources, and we need all the...

HONOLULU – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today released the following statement on the fires on Maui and Hawai‘i Island: “These fires are absolutely devastating, and we will not know the full extent of the damage for a while. In the meantime, the highest priority is the safety of the people. “I’ve been in touch with the White House, Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas, the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the mayors to ensure that maximum...

HONOLULU – As devastating wildfires on Maui and Hawai‘i Island continue to burn, U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i) and U.S. Representatives Ed Case (D-Hawai‘i) and Jill Tokuda (D-Hawai‘i) urged President Joe Biden to act swiftly to make all federal resources available and approve any request for a presidential disaster declaration. The declaration will help ensure that the affected communities can access important federal...

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement after President Joe Biden announced new actions to protect workers and communities from extreme heat intensified by climate change. “Right now, millions of Americans are feeling a direct impact of the climate crisis. These record heatwaves are dangerous to everyone, and especially those working jobs that require them to be outdoors. I’m glad the Biden Administration is taking action to...

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Senate passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which included two provisions authored by U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i). The bill included a Schatz-led measure that would create a registry to track and collect health data from those exposed to the Red Hill fuel leak, in consultation with the impacted community. “People who were exposed to toxic fuel from this leak should know what kind of impact that might have on their...

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced that a new federal grant program established by a law authored by U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) to reward state and local governments that reform land-use policies and other local barriers that constrain the supply of affordable housing is set to begin accepting applications in the fall. “We need to legalize housing, and abandon the exclusionary zoning that originated during Jim Crow...