Mazie Hirono

Democrat junior Senator of Hawaii

Representative
Hawaii, district 2
January 4, 2007 - January 3, 2009
Representative
Hawaii, district 2
January 6, 2009 - January 3, 2011
Representative
Hawaii, district 2
January 5, 2011 - January 3, 2013
Senator
Hawaii
January 3, 2013 - January 3, 2019
Senator
Hawaii
January 3, 2019 - January 3, 2025

202-224-6361

@MazieHirono

hirono.senate.gov

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Congresses Served

House Terms

Senate Terms

January 1, 1947 (77 years old)

Birthday

Served as the junior United States senator from Hawaii since 2013.
Previously served in the United States House of Representatives for Hawaii’s 2nd congressional district from 2007 to 2013.
Served in the Hawaii House of Representatives from 1981 to 1995 and as Hawaii’s lieutenant governor from 1994 to 2002.
Was the unsuccessful Democratic nominee for governor of Hawaii in 2002.
First elected female senator from Hawaii, first Asian-American woman elected to the Senate, first U.S. senator born in Japan, and the nation’s first Buddhist senator.
Won the 2012 U.S. Senate seat vacated by Daniel Akaka, defeating Linda Lingle in the election.
Was the only person of Asian ancestry serving in the U.S. Senate from 2013 until 2017.
Born in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, and immigrated to Hawaii with her mother and brother, becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1959.
Graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a B.A. in psychology from the University of Hawaii at Mānoa and obtained a juris doctor degree from Georgetown University Law Center.
Sponsored 120 bills that became state law during her 13 years in the Hawaii House of Representatives.
As lieutenant governor, was involved in education and preschool programs.
Advocated for reproductive rights, health care, and LGBTQIA+ rights during her tenure in Congress.
Supported gun control measures and opposed the repeal of the Affordable Care Act.
Sponsored a bill to decrease hate crimes against Asian Americans and co-sponsored the Youth Voting Rights Act.
Described as being in the “left/liberal” camp according to her voting history.
Diagnosed with stage 4 kidney cancer in 2017 but continued her political duties after treatment.
Published an autobiography, “Heart of Fire: An Immigrant Daughter’s Story,” in 2021.
Received Japan’s Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star, for her contributions in strengthening bilateral relations between Japan and the United States.