Individuals with disabilities should be able to access health insurance and services that do not force them out of their homes. The Latonya Reeves Freedom Act would ensure that states and long-term service and support insurance providers allow individuals with disabilities to live in the most integrated settings including their homes. congress.gov/bill/119th-cong…

One big consequence of our increasing natural disasters is the cost and availability of property insurance, and we have to pursue different paths to keep it available and affordable. I co-introduced the Community Disaster Protection Act to promote the development of new disaster insurance products to help high-risk communities secure affordable coverage, incentivize more effective disaster prevention; and provide greater stability to property insurance markets. It would direct the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)  to establish a 5-year pilot program to award competitive grants to local governments, quasi-government bodies, and community-based organizations to design, develop, implement or facilitate community-based catastrophe insurance. More: H.R.10686 - 119th Congress (2025-2026): Community Disaster Protection Act | Congress.gov | Library of Congress

Hau’oli 100th La Hanau Aloha Tower! I was honored to join and provide thoughts at our iconic landmark’s centennial celebration and blessing ceremony as it reopened after major repairs, which I was able to partially fund through a $2 million direct Congressional Project Funding approval. I spoke of the history it has witnessed, the aloha it has emanated and the symbol it is for generations of kama’aina and visitors alike, as well as the need to continue to care for it for the generations coming.

I joined Gov. Green, Mayor Blangiardi, Hawai’i Public Housing Authority Exec. Dir. Hakim Ouansafi, and many partners in the dedication and grand opening of Ho’ohiki Senior Living on North School Street. These “250 new affordable senior homes in the heart of Honolulu” are not only a beautiful part of the answer to our affordable housing crisis but highlight the possibilities of committed public-private partnerships to meet other challenges.hoohikiseniorliving.com/

Hawai‘i general election ballots are being mailed to all registered voters. For info on registering, registration status, voting (by mailing back, dropping in ballot box or in person), deadlines, assistance or other voting questions: elections.hawaii.gov

I joined Hawaiian Islands Honor Flight at HNL in welcoming home 25 of our veterans – 24 Vietnam War and 1 Korean War – from a three-day trip to DC where they visited the Capitol, Arlington and our memorials. For most it was their first time in the capital of the country for which they fought. The great Honor Flight Network (honorflight.org) works nationally to “show our nation’s veterans the appreciation and honor they deserve” by providing a trip to DC to “share this momentous occasion with other comrades, remember the fallen, and share their stories and experiences with other veterans. Honored veterans always travel free of charge, thanks to generous donations to our organization” (including for our vets free airfare by Alaska/Hawaiian).

Franchising is a proven business approach that gives promising companies and products opportunities to grow (think L&L) and local owners opportunities to prosper (think McDonalds or 7-11). Today some 8.8 million jobs nationally are franchise-related, some 85% of franchisees live in their communities, and some 64% of franchisees are first-time business owners. Happy to join bipartisan colleagues in receiving the Franchise Champion Award for my support in Congress. stage.franchising.com/articl…

Working thru full week back home talking w/folks on various issues including: Laulani Teale on military presence in Hawai’i; Dr. Michael Carney on federal cancer research funding; Honolulu Museum of Art Director David Odo and Deputy Director Penni Hall on federal support possibilities; new Republic of Korea Consul General Sangmin Nam on US-Korea relations and assisting our Korean American community; and  AARP Hawaii’s Keali’I Lopez and Audrey Suga-Nakagawa on national kupuna issues.

I continue to be deeply honored to represent our Hawaii’s and country’s some 4.6 million Filipino Americans, and very proud to once again join my colleagues to commemorate this October as Filipino American History month. In doing so, we remember and honor the sacrifices and contributions of generations past and present, the embodiment of the best of America that Filipino Americans represent, and the continued advancement and promise of future generations. congress.gov/bill/119th-cong…

Huge congrats to the University of Hawai’i- West O’ahu and to Pueo everywhere as you kick off your 50th Anniversary Celebration Week. UHWO has grown into such an integral part of our community and you have truly lived up to your mission of “empowering generations of learners.” Mahalo and here’s to many more generations to come. westoahu.hawaii.edu/