On Friday, April 5, U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono addressed student questions at Dillingham Hall as part of the Davis Democracy Initiative. This initiative is aimed at encouraging political engagement and understanding among students, and Senator Hirono’s visit provided a unique opportunity for direct dialogue with a prominent political figure.
Senator Hirono is recognized for her historic achievements in politics as the first Asian American woman elected to the U.S. Senate and the first woman to represent Hawai‘i in the Senate. Her extensive political career spans several decades, beginning with her service in the Hawai‘i House of Representatives from 1981 – 1994, followed by her role as Hawai‘i’s 10th lieutenant governor from 1994 – 2002, and her tenure as the representative of Hawai‘i’s second district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2007 – 2013, before her election to the Senate in 2013.
The event was open to all members of the Punahou community, offering students a valuable platform to engage with and learn from Senator Hirono’s experiences and insights into the democratic process and political landscape.
Photos by Kathleen Connelly