10th annual Hawai‘i on the Hill hosted at US Capitol by Hirono, Chamber of Commerce Hawai‘i

More than 200 people representing 90-plus businesses and nonprofits from throughout Hawai‘i were welcomed this week on Capitol Hill in Washington for the 10th annual Hawai‘i on the Hill.

U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono, a Hawai‘i Democrat and member of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, partnered with Chamber of Commerce Hawai‘i to once again provide members of the Hawai‘i business community the opportunity to showcase their businesses and products, meet directly with congressional leaders and share the aloha spirit with members of U.S. Congress and District of Columbia community.

“As Hawai‘i families continue to struggle under the Trump regime’s cost of living crisis, it’s critical we fight to boost our state’s economy,” said Hirono in a press release. “From our policy summit with congressional leaders to the flagship Taste of Hawai‘i, I am proud to carry on this tradition of partnering with the Chamber of Commerce Hawai‘i to support our small businesses and show the rest of the country what the aloha spirit is all about.”

Hirono participated in a talk story event at the beginning of the week. It was moderated by Chamber of Commerce Hawai‘i President and Chief Executive Officer Sherry Menor.

Attendees heard from the senator about her work to support Hawai‘i businesses and communities. They also engaged directly with her during a question-and-answer session.

Hirono on Tuesday, June 9, then hosted the Hawai‘i on the Hill Policy Summit, featuring remarks from:

• U.S. Sens. Alex Padilla of California, Jacky Rosen of Nevada, Tammy Duckworth of Illinois and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, all Democrats.
• U.S. Reps. Ed Case and Jill Tokuda of Hawai‘i, both Democrats.
• Main Street Alliance board member Lauren Bealore.

Speakers discussed a variety of issues important to businesses in Hawai‘i and throughout the country, including the unique challenges local businesses in Hawai‘i face, programs that provide support for businesses and nonprofits in Hawai‘i and building community resilience and partnerships.

They specifically shared updates about the states of agriculture, tourism, small businesses and tariffs after almost 18 months of the second President Donald Trump Administration.

The highly anticipated Taste of Hawai‘i event was hosted Wednesday, June 10, on Capitol Hill.

A record-breaking more than 1,600 people attended this year.

Members of U.S. Congress and their staffs experienced and learned more about Hawai‘i’s unique culture through cuisine, music and more. Attendees enjoyed live music performed by Hawai‘i artists as they visited different tables and sampled different products from throughout the islands.

Some of this year’s exhibitors included:

• Hawai‘i Farm Bureau.
• Aloun Farms.
• Kaua‘i Kookie.
• Kōloa Rum.
• Lappert’s Ice Cream.
• The Orchid Lei Company.
• Hawaiian Chip Company.
• Maui Gold.
• University of Hawai‘i.

Hawai‘i state Senate President Ron Kouchi of Kaua‘i served as an Honorary Co-Chairperson for this year’s Hawai’i on the Hill.

“Hawai‘i on the Hill has always been about bringing Hawai‘i’s voice directly to Washington, and this year’s 10th annual event was our most impactful yet,” said Menor in the release. “Anchored by our 2030 Blueprint for Hawai‘i, our state’s roadmap for a more diversified, resilient economy, this year’s program was designed to advance Hawai‘i’s future on the national stage.”

There were a total of 10 events hosted in honor of the 10th anniversary, including the largest-ever Kamaʻāina Come Home gathering and its first Appropriations 101 session led by Hirono’s staff.

“We connected Hawai‘i’s business community directly to the federal opportunities that matter most,” Menor said, adding everyone involved with the annual event looks forward to building on this year’s momentum.