Asian Fortune Your source for all things Asian American
By Daphne Domingo
The state of Hawaii overwhelmingly voted for Congresswoman Mazie Hirono (D-HI) to take over the U.S. Senate seat vacated by longtime Senator Daniel Akaka. Hirono, who has represented Hawaii’s 2nd congressional district since 2007, now becomes the nation’s first Asian American female senator, the first Japanese-born senator and first Buddhist senator.
At the APAI reception November 29, she noted “This race was a huge challenge. My opponent was the number one draft pick of the national Republican party. But many of you in this room believed I could do it. My victory was a joint effort. Running for office is an ohana – which is a Hawaiian term that means family – a whole family of not related people working together. (Getting to the Senate) was an amazing journey. I was not born in this country. My mother, whose shoulders I stand on, has shown me that one person can make a difference, as she did when she brought me and my brother to this country. On election night, my 88-year-old mother was by my side. She was quiet and emotional and I know that she was thinking back to when we landed in America and we got off the ship with just one suitcase.”
Senator-Elect Hirono spoke with Asian Fortune’s Daphne Domingo about her new challenges.
On being a role model for Asian American women
Mazie Hirono: Yes, we are somewhat few and far between, but things are getting better. I think it matters when you see people who look like us in positions of decision-making. I had Patsy Mink [first Asian American woman elected to congress in 1965] as one of my role models and friends. I started of course, with my mom, who was my major inspiration.
AF: You are, and are going to be, a role model for Asian American girls. So tell me about your mother and the other women who inspired you.
MH: She showed me that one person can make a difference. I am a first generation immigrant and my mother brought us here through great courage and perseverance on her part to raise us by herself, in this country, and we came here with nothing.
I didn’t speak any English, and thanks to my public school teachers and my mother’s expectations, I studied hard and did well in school. I truly am one of the personifications of, and I think it sounds trite, but is true for so many of us, coming to a new country, working hard, persevering, being able to give back in the way I am able do really shows what a great country [the United States] is.
It’s not perfect, but affords opportunity that I otherwise would not have had. I think it’s a marvelous example of just how wonderful our country is. And this is why I inflected on this. I want to do what I can to do help other people attain their dreams, and be able to give advice and give back to others.
AF: Your mother raised you by herself, and there are some people who tend to denigrate single-parent households. But there are also memes online now in response that say “This is what single motherhood can produce,” there’ll be a photo of President Obama and President Clinton.
MH: She planned in secret back in Japan to get us away from our abusive father who had an addiction to alcohol. And we boarded a big ship and we came, literally in a carriage, in Hawaii. We basically had one suitcase with us and she raised three children by herself. She truly was, and continues to be, my model for somebody who is just fully focused, determined, works hard and never gives up. One of the important life lessons for me.
On moving from the House to the Senate
MH: Well, we are in a transition phase right now, but the issues remain. People are really concerned about jobs, getting our economy going. For Hawaii, I also want to make sure for all seniors in Hawaii, as well as across the country, that Medicare and Medicaid remains strong, and I am hopeful that we can do a lot to improve federal support for educational opportunities. And as a nationally recognized advocate for early education, I am focused on support early education as one of the foundational ways we instill a child has a chance for success in life.
On committee assignments and legislative priorities in the Senate:
MH: Well, that’s still being worked on [as of December 1). I will serve on any committee that will be about Hawaii. I am particularly interested, of course, in areas of education, energy, self-sufficiency energy issues, since Hawaii is the most energy-dependent state in the entire country. 90% of our energy is from imported oil. The military. It’s so important to Hawaii; they are a big part of our economy. I am very supportive of our investment in women, and their families, and veterans. Those are some of the areas that I am very focused on, and supportive of native Hawaiian language programs.
On immigration
MH: I am a staunch supporter of the DREAM Act and comprehensive immigration reform. And, in fact I was the introducer of a bill that would reunify World War II veterans and their families. That doesn’t get much press, supporting work with World War II veterans. There’s more work to be done to acknowledge their service to our country. Passing comprehensive immigration reform is very important. Passing the DREAM Act, very important.
On Capitol Hill diversity
MH: I think it’s really critical that so many Asian Pacific Islander Americans ran for office this cycle. Over 30 APIAs ran for the US House or Senate. That is many times more than ever. We’re getting into the pipeline. I’m going to do what I can to encourage more APIAs to get into the political arena. It’s very encouraging that we will bring our diversity into the US House and the Senate. I will be the first Asian woman ever serving in Senate, but we do have a ways to go.
AF: Do you have particular ideas of how to increase diversity?
MH: Well, part of that is if I can share my story, and if that is encouraging to young women and APIAs, I think that’s great. I will look for opportunities where I can have those kinds of dialogues. Of course, I work with APIA advocacy groups in Washington and elsewhere.
On working without a Capitol Hill office during the transition
MH: Well, right now, we’re no longer in my House office, so that makes things challenging. But we’re getting our work done. And then transitioning onto the Senate side, we’ll be getting to our offices at some point, but we have temporary space now to get our work done.
Reflections on the election
MH: Of course, I had a tough election. I had both a primary and a general election. In the general election, my race…was a nationally watched race because I was running against the number one draft pick of the Republicans,the two-term governor of Hawaii [Linda Lingle]. She had proven fundraising capability and the ability to connect with voters and capability, so there was a lot of interest in my election. So I am grateful to people of Hawaii for their overwhelming support. They put their faith and trust in me. I think it has a lot to do with the fact that I truly represent the values of the people of Hawaii and I want to make sure that Hawaii’s voice is heard, that we take care of our priorities that have to do with early education, creating jobs, keeping Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security strong.
AF: I remember that you had run against her several years ago for governor.
MH: (laughter) That’s why there was additional interest. And the person who ran in the primaries this year had also run against me in the primary for governor in 2002. I beat him. As I said, there was tremendous support and I’m grateful that the people of Hawaii elected me for senator.
