Mark Takai

06/11/2016

Happy King Kamehameha Day!

Today marks the 100th anniversary of the annual celebration of King . Mahalo to all those who helped honor and his important role in our great state's history.

06/10/2016

The Hokulea Crew departed Washington, D.C., this week to continue onto New York. I extend my best wishes to the Hokulea for a safe and prosperous .

Thank you to the Polynesian Voyaging Society and all those supporting the as these ambassadors of aloha travel the world sharing an important part of Hawaiian Culture as well as their unique mission.

06/10/2016

This year marks the 100th Anniversary of our annual celebration of . Traditionally celebrated on June 11th, this year the date observed falls on the Friday before the 11th.

In Washington, the draping of lei on the King Kamehameha statue located in the U.S. Capitol building coincided with the Hokulea's visit to DC.

Pictured from left to right is my father, Erik Takai; Senator Mazie K. Hirono; my sister and niece, Nadine & Nalani Day; my mother, Naomi Takai; and Senator Brian Schatz.

06/10/2016

Today, three Hawaii Soldiers are being honored with induction into the Reserve Officer Training Corps ( ) Hall of Fame at the Army ROTC100th anniversary of the program.

I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to these Hawaii Soldiers for their service and great appreciation that their stories and sacrifices will be memorialized for the years to come. The Soldiers being honored at today’s ceremony are Gen. Suzanne Vares-Lum, Col. Ed Gayagas, and Spc. James Gabriel. Spc. Gabriel was the first to be killed in the .

Hawaii has a long and storied tradition of military service and many future soldiers get their start in the ROTC. This important program helps to train the military leaders of tomorrow, which is why I am working to establish a Naval Reserve Training Corps ( ) at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. By properly preparing our military leaders of tomorrow, we will be able to ensure that our armed forces are able to adequately respond to any challenge that might arise.

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Mark Takai (HI-01) extended his thanks and congratulations to the three Hawaii Soldiers being honored with induction into the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Hall of Fame at the 100th anniversary of the program. “I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to t...

06/09/2016

Great article about the Medal of Honor Review for Veterans provision that I included in the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act ( ).

During the and , were discriminated against due to the color of their skin, and this often resulted in them being under-awarded or not awarded at all for actions of valor that go far beyond the call of duty. I am pleased that we included a provision in the NDAA that will make the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) review the files of these brave to determine whether they should be awarded the Medal of Honor ( ).

Takai Announces Medal of Honor Review for AAPI Veterans 0 Posted On June 8, 2016 Politics, Veterans Rep. Mark Takai honors the service and sacrifice of 1st Lt. John Kuulei Kauhaihao along with his widow, Shirley Kauhaihao, and Hawaii Army National Guard Maj. Dion Kaimihana at the Korean Vietnam Vete...

06/02/2016

On Monday I honored Memorial Day by commemorating our fallen and calling for action on H.R. 3870, the Atomic Veterans Healthcare Parity Act, to provide for the treatment of who participated in the cleanup of Atoll on the Marshall Islands and are suffering from service-related illnesses due to radiation exposure.

Though Congress passed the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act to cover personnel that participated in atomic testing from 1944 - 1958, it does not cover those who cleaned up the radioactive debris. With an approximated 35 percent rate of cancer among these individuals, families have lost many of these Atomic Veterans, and those who survive battle health problems everyday.

I introduced this H.R. 3870 last year, and it now has 86 bipartisan cosponsors. Lets call for action on this problem which is long overdue a solution for our and their families.

Atomic veterans feel abused, neglected and forgotten by the government and a country that exposed them to unforeseen risks. In the decades since the nuclear tests, many have suffered ailments such …

05/30/2016

is a reminder of what makes our nation the greatest in the world, men and women willing to give everything to protect the values of our democracy. Every year, we gather today to remember those who gave their lives for this nation. Let us never forget their sacrifice.

To honor those that gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country, we must renew our commitments to those currently serving our nation, many currently in harm’s way around the world.

There is a group of , many still alive today, that served our nation honorably and are now suffering because of it. This is unacceptable.I introduced The Healthcare Parity Act last year, a bill that would provide these benefits to surviving Atomic Veterans, and provide benefits to the families of those that gave their lives. The bill now has 86 bipartisan cosponsors. This Memorial Day, while we celebrate all that lost their lives as heroes, let us call for action on a problem that is long overdue a solution.

Attachment: Link to New York Times Retro Report detailing the experience of atomic veterans. WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Mark Takai released the following statement in honor of Memorial Day and the courageous US service members who have given their last full measure of devotion in service to the...

05/27/2016

Mahalo to Turnaround Arts, Turnaround Arts Hi, Jack Johnson, Jake Shimabukuro, Paula Fuga Real Fan Page, artist mentors, Turnaround Arts Program partner Hawai'i Arts Alliance Action Network, students, teachers, and staff who have made program possible. Check out their music video project, "Everyday People," below featuring students from Kalihi Kai Elementary, Kamaile Academy PCS, and Waianae Elementary School.

Turnaround Arts is proud to present “Everyday People,” produced by Playing For Change. Thousands of Turnaround Arts students from across the country perform ...

05/25/2016

Today three Hawaii schools are participating in the Turnaround Arts Program at The White House. Students from Turnaround Arts Hi schools Kalihi Kai, Kamaile Academy PCS, and Wai’anae Elementary Schools performed for First Lady Michelle Obama, their peers, and artist mentors.

I could not be more proud seeing Hawaii’s keiki participating in a national program like the . is the fabric upon which our children’s education is based on. Students who are engaged in active and sequential learning at school have proven to have a high level of academic achievement, engagement with their school, and participation in the community. I congratulate all the participants, and hope that these critical programs will continue in Hawaii’s public schools.

Mahalo to the President, First Lady, and local Turnaround Arts Program partner Hawai'i Arts Alliance Action Network for your dedication to arts education!

Attachment: Link to Rep. Takai speaking to the National Endowment of the Arts WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congressman Mark Takai released the following statement about three Hawaii schools participating in the Turnaround Arts Program at the White House today. Students from Turnaround Arts schools Kalih...

05/24/2016

Every day we are learning more about the danger presents to – and today, nearly 1,400 Americans, including more than 275 pregnant women, are confirmed to have contracted the Zika virus.

Last week Congress responded by passing inadequate funding to combat the disease. Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), said:

“If we don't get the money that the president has asked for, the $1.9 billion, that is going to have a very serious negative impact on our ability to get the job done.”

It's time to get the job done and to ensure we are armed with the resources we need to keep our citizens healthy and safe.

Economic model developed at BSPH suggests cost of Zika infection in southern states could exceed $2B

05/21/2016

Since yesterday's announcement, my family and I have been truly touched by the tremendous outpouring of support from our community. It has been my greatest privilege to serve the people of Hawaii. Your spirit of aloha and compassion have helped shape my incredible journey these 20+ years. Thank you for your love, friendship, and continued prayers.

05/17/2016

Today I'm celebrating by celebrating our great Pacific Islander cuisine. Join me in participating in CQ Roll Call's Taste of America and vote Hawaii into the 2nd round! Voting for the 1st round will take place between May 9-20. To vote go to the link here: http://www.rollcalltasteofamerica.com/brackets.cfm

Vote online for the nation's best food in the