Mazie Hirono facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mazie Hirono
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広野 慶子
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Official portrait, 2013
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| United States Senator from Hawaii |
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| Assumed office January 3, 2013 Serving with Brian Schatz
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| Preceded by | Daniel Akaka |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Hawaii's 2nd district |
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| In office January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2013 |
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| Preceded by | Ed Case |
| Succeeded by | Tulsi Gabbard |
| 10th Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii | |
| In office December 2, 1994 – December 2, 2002 |
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| Governor | Ben Cayetano |
| Preceded by | Ben Cayetano |
| Succeeded by | Duke Aiona |
| Member of the Hawaii House of Representatives |
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| In office January 3, 1981 – December 2, 1994 |
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| Preceded by | Clifford Uwaine David Hagino |
| Succeeded by | Terry Yoshinaga |
| Constituency | 12th district (1981–1983) 20th district (1983–1985) 32nd district (1985–1993) 22nd district (1993–1994) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Mazie Keiko Hirono
November 3, 1947 Koori, Fukushima, Japan |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Leighton Oshima
(m. 1987) |
| Residence | Honolulu, Hawaii |
| Education | University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (BA) Georgetown University (JD) |
| Signature |  |
Mazie Keiko Hirono (born November 3, 1947) is an American lawyer and politician. Since 2013, she has served as a U.S. Senator for Hawaii. She is a member of the Democratic Party.
Before becoming a senator, Hirono was a member of the United States House of Representatives. She represented Hawaii's 2nd congressional district from 2007 to 2013. She also served in the Hawaii House of Representatives from 1981 to 1994. From 1994 to 2002, she was Hawaii's tenth lieutenant governor.
Mazie Hirono made history in several ways. She is the first woman elected as a senator from Hawaii. She is also the first Asian-American woman to be elected to the Senate. Hirono is the first U.S. senator born in Japan. She is also known as the nation's first Buddhist senator.
In 2012, Hirono ran for the U.S. Senate seat. She won the election against Linda Lingle. She was sworn in on January 3, 2013. She was reelected to the Senate in 2018 and again in 2024.
Early Life and Education
Mazie Hirono was born on November 3, 1947, in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. Her mother, Laura Chie Satō, was Japanese American. Her father, Hirono Matabe, was a Japanese veteran.
Mazie's grandparents had moved to Hawaii to work on a sugar plantation. They later opened a bathhouse in Honolulu. In 1939, Mazie's mother and uncle returned to Japan. After World War II, her mother married Mazie's father.
In 1951, Mazie's mother bravely decided to leave her husband. She took Mazie and her brother Roy and moved back to her parents' home. The family decided to return to Hawaii.
In March 1955, Laura returned to Honolulu with Mazie and Roy. Mazie was seven years old. Her mother worked hard to bring the rest of the family to Hawaii. Two years later, her grandparents and youngest brother Wayne joined them.
Life was not easy for the family in Hawaii. They lived in a small rooming house. Mazie's mother worked as a typesetter and for a catering company. Mazie helped by working in the school cafeteria and having a paper route.
Mazie became a U.S. citizen in 1959, the year Hawaii became a state. She went to Kaʻahumanu and Koko Head Elementary Schools. She graduated from Kaimuki High School.
She then attended the University of Hawaii at Mānoa. She earned a degree in psychology in 1970. Later, she went to Georgetown University Law Center. She earned her law degree in 1978. After finishing law school, Hirono returned to Honolulu and began practicing law.
Serving in the Hawaii House of Representatives (1981–1994)
Becoming a State Representative
In 1980, Mazie Hirono was elected to the Hawaii House of Representatives. She represented the 12th House district. Over the years, she continued to win elections in different districts as boundaries changed.
She served in the Hawaii House of Representatives for 14 years. During this time, she helped pass more than 120 laws. She was recognized for her work, including being named Legislator of the Year in 1984.
Leading Committees
From 1987 to 1992, Hirono was the Chair of the Consumer Protection and Commerce Committee. This role meant she led efforts to protect consumers and support businesses in Hawaii.
Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii (1994–2002)
Winning Elections
In 1994, Hirono ran for lieutenant governor of Hawaii. She won the Democratic primary election. In the general election, she defeated three other candidates to become Lieutenant Governor.
She was reelected in 1998. She won a close race against Republican State Senator Stan Koki.
Key Achievements as Lieutenant Governor
As Lieutenant Governor, Mazie Hirono worked alongside Governor Ben Cayetano. She was the first Japanese immigrant to hold this position. She led important groups like the National Commission on Teaching, America's Future.
She also started the "Pre-Plus program." This program was a first in the nation. It helped prepare children for preschool education.
Running for Governor in 2002
In 2002, Hirono decided to run for governor of Hawaii. She won the Democratic primary election by a small number of votes.
However, in the general election, she lost to Republican Linda Lingle. Linda Lingle became Hawaii's first female governor.
Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives (2007–2013)
Winning a Seat in Congress
In 2006, Mazie Hirono ran for the U.S. House of Representatives. She aimed to represent Hawaii's 2nd congressional district. She won a competitive Democratic primary election.
In the general election, she defeated Republican State Senator Bob Hogue. She won with 61% of the vote. She was reelected for a second term in 2008 and a third term in 2010.
Focus on Education
In 2008, Hirono was named a "Pre-K Champion." This was for her work supporting laws that help pre-kindergarten education.
Working on Committees
While in the House, Hirono served on important committees. These included the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on the Judiciary. She also worked on the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Serving in the U.S. Senate (2013–present)
Becoming a U.S. Senator
In 2011, Mazie Hirono announced she would run for the U.S. Senate. The seat was open because Senator Daniel Akaka was retiring. She won the Democratic primary election in August 2012.
In November 2012, Hirono won the general election. She defeated former Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle. Hirono became the first female senator from Hawaii. She was also the first person born in Asia to be elected to the U.S. Senate.
She was reelected in 2018 and again in 2024.
Key Actions and Positions
As a senator, Mazie Hirono has worked on many important issues.
- Judiciary Committee: She joined the Senate Judiciary Committee. This committee helps approve federal judges and sets rules for justice.
- Hate Crimes Bill: In April 2021, she sponsored a bill to help reduce hate crimes against Asian Americans. This bill passed the Senate with strong support.
- Youth Voting Rights: In July 2022, she supported the Youth Voting Rights Act. This law aims to make it easier for young people to vote.
- Health Care: Hirono strongly supports the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). She also supports Medicare for All, which would provide health care for everyone.
- Housing: She supports programs that help local communities build and improve housing.
- Internet Access: She sponsored the Digital Equity Act of 2019. This bill aims to help more people get access to the internet.
Committee Roles
Senator Hirono serves on several key Senate committees:
- Committee on Armed Services
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
- Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship
- Committee on the Judiciary
- Committee on Veterans' Affairs
Personal Life
In May 2017, Mazie Hirono was diagnosed with kidney cancer. She had surgery to remove her right kidney. She returned to the Senate soon after.
In 2021, she published her autobiography, Heart of Fire: An Immigrant Daughter's Story. This book tells her life story. Also in 2021, she received an award from Japan, the Order of the Rising Sun#2nd Class, Gold and Silver Star, for helping build stronger ties between Japan and the United States.
Images for kids
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Mazie Hirono's signature
