Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa

“But this is not your typical farm bill. While it provides important agricultural and nutritional policy extensions for five years, the most interesting changes involve the cannabis plant.”

Read more about the possible impacts and opportunities for Hawaii’s h**p market and medicinal cannabis program in the Farm Bill of 2018:

The Farm Bill, h**p legalization and the status of CBD: An explainer The 2018 Farm bill legalizes the (regulated) production of h**p; until now it has not been differentiated from other cannabis plants. Mich McConnell (R-KY) championed this change, as he represents a state that once had a thriving h**p sector. Cannabidiol products will still be regulated.

‪Please remember the more than 2,400 brave souls who made the ultimate sacrifice on that Sunday morning. Let us honor their efforts and the greatest generation of Americans who fought in WWII. So many gave their lives to defend our country and way of life. We are forever grateful. ‬

‪We enjoyed talking story about “The Politics of National Defense: The Hill, the public, the options” The Brookings Institution this afternoon. Thank you for hosting this important discussion about our national security and defense. ‬

"This bill will go a long way towards preserving what happened about 75 years ago at both Pearl Harbor and Honouliuli – the good and bad – for future generations and, I hope, will leave an impression of the sacrifices and courage of our greatest generation."

Pearl Harbor museums headed for name changes Three of the four museums and memorials in Pearl Harbor — including the USS Arizona Memorial, one of the most visited attractions in the state — are headed toward name changes to better define their mission and to improve fundraising.

⁠ ⁠ Souza and me are so thankful for our family and friends. Mahalo, to my staff, past and present, and everyone who has shared their love and Aloha with us, through the years. We are humbled and honored to have your support.

‪Thank you, Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer for honoring our work on behalf of the U.S. Navy Mahalo, to all the brave men and women and their families, who put on the uniform and serve our great nation. ‬🙏🏾🇺🇸

H.R. 5706 would allow for a functional re-designation of two significant sites in Hawaii: Pearl Harbor and the Honouliuli Internment Camp, providing both of these sites with enabling legislation that recognizes their significant roles in history. The boundaries and management of these sites will not change.

Pearl Harbor is the only site in Hawaii currently incorporated in the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument, which also includes several sites located in California and Alaska. Although the Valor Monument consists of multiple sites, National Park Service materials reference Pearl Harbor as the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument.

H.R. 5706 would separate Pearl Harbor from the Valor Monument and establish it as the “Pearl Harbor National Memorial.” Pearl Harbor is a physical representation of “the day that will live in infamy,” the strides made in U.S.-Japan relations, and U.S. entry into World War II. This historic site deserves a name to match its separate identity and significance from the rest of the Monument.

Along with the well-known USS Arizona Memorial, Pearl Harbor is host to the USS Missouri and the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park. Together, these sites attract over a million visitors to Hawaii and Pearl Harbor every year, serving as a significant contributor to Hawaii’s tourist-driven economy.

H.R. 5706 would also establish the Honouliuli National Monument as the Honouliuli National Historic Site. As some of you know, I am the granddaughter of two internees, one of whom was interned at Honouliuli, which I did not learn until very late in his life. In fact, many who grew up in Hawaii did not know about Honouiluli until it was designated, highlighting the need to quickly preserve the site and its history.

Although not as well-known as other confinement sites, Honouliuli is unique in that it provides an important historical perspective for martial law in the U.S., the treatment of prisoners of war, and the distinguished history of the 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Infantry Regiment. In their evaluation of the site, the National Park Service said Honouliuli “appears to offer the greatest potential to preserve resources and interpret the history of the [World War II] internment.”

While Japanese-Americans on the mainland were interned indiscriminately, that would have been impossible in Hawaii’s predominantly Japanese-American workforce. Unlike the U.S. mainland, the military imposed martial law in Hawaii for the duration of World War II and came up with a process to identify those who were perceived to be a threat. These prisoners, mostly male, were separated from their families for years. Some were sent to the mainland – like my other grandfather, Honouliuli, or other sites in Hawaii.

Despite these circumstances, over 10,000 Japanese-American men from Hawaii signed up to serve this country in war. Over 2,000 men were accepted and served in what eventually became the 100th/442nd Regimental Combat Team. This unit, which includes Hawaii’s late Senator Daniel Inouye, is the most decorated of World War II. Their story is one of incredible patriotism, courage, and service.
The collective stories of Honouliuli, and the context in which it was built and operated, are invaluable lessons about the decisions made in the name of war.

H.R. 5706 is supported by our local community, receiving endorsements from Pacific Historic Parks and the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii. In addition, this bill has been endorsed by the Go for Broke National Education Center and AMVETS.

H.R. 5706 will go a long way towards preserving what happened over 75 years ago at both Pearl Harbor and Honouliuli – the good and bad – for future generations and, I hope, will leave an impression of the sacrifices and courage of our greatest generation.

House votes to separate Pearl Harbor, WWII memorials in Hawaii The House voted Tuesday to create a separate Pearl Harbor National Memorial in Hawaii to mark the attack on the U.S. naval base there by Japan on Dec. 7, 1941.

We enjoyed our visit with the students of Damien Memorial School yesterday. Thank you, for all the great questions and discussion. Best of luck to all of you!

Honored to participate in a panel last week at the William S. Richardson School of Law discussing the work and times of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Mahalo for the great conversation!

"We are honored to recognize and laud the rich history of Filipino American contributions to Hawaii and our great nation.”

Read full statement here:

Hanabusa, Hirono Lead Bicameral Resolution to Recognize Filipino American History Month Representative Colleen Hanabusa and Senator Mazie Hirono introduced a bipartisan, bicameral resolution in the United States Senate to recognize the month of October as Filipino American History Month. The resolution acknowledges the key role Filipino Americans play in shaping our country.

Congresswoman Hanabusa joined colleagues to send a letter to Daniel Coats, Director, National Intelligence, asking what the U.S. intelligence community knew about the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s plan to kidnap and kill Jamal Khashoggi and when did they know it:

Hanabusa Questions if U.S. Intelligence Knew of Khashoggi Plot WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa and her colleagues sent a letter to Daniel Coats, Director of National Intelligence, asking what the U.S. intelligence community knew about the Kingdom of Saudia Arabia’s plan to kidnap and kill Washington Post contributing columnist Jamal Khasho...

“Singapore currently holds the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and shares an expansive and enduring relationship with the United States. The ten members of ASEAN, with a GDP of $2.4 trillion and 630 million citizens, comprise the fifth largest economy in the world, and its middle class is expected to double by 2030. ASEAN is at a truly historical juncture, and your presence would emphasize the importance of U.S. engagement with this bloc at the center of the Indo-Pacific,” the lawmakers wrote. “Papua New Guinea is the most populous Pacific Island state, and this will be the first APEC forum attended by the leaders of Chile, Peru, Malaysia, and Australia. The summit is an opportunity for leaders to push for their nation's priorities and to boost international trust and cooperation. Your presence would enable the United States to have a full seat at the table as the group addresses current and emerging economic issues and works towards new understandings.”

Congresswoman Hanabusa Urges President to Attend Asia Summits WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa and nine of her colleagues sent a letter to the White House urging the President to attend the annual U.S.-ASEAN and East Asia Summits in Singapore or the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Papua New Guinea this November. The White ...