Background of Hawaii's Second District Congresswoman

               Mazie Hirono is the current Democratic congresswoman in Hawaii's Second District . She is a challenger for the open senate seat left by retiring Senator Daniel K. Akaka, and is competing with her former GOP rival, Linda Lingle (Washingon Post).
               Born in 1947, in Fukushima, Japan, Mazie Hirono lead a difficult childhood.  She suffered from an abusive father before fleeing with her mother and older brother to the United States at the age of eight (Washington Post).  They made Hawaii their home, and she became an official citizen in 1959 (Biography).  Congresswoman Hirono attributes much of her tenacity and determination to the challenges and discrimination she felt as both a young woman and a foreigner during her formative years in Hawaii (Washington post). As such, she is strong advocate for the protection of women's rights and has shown powerful support in favor of pro-choice legislature for her constituents.
               Mazie Hirono attended the University of Hawaii at Manoa, majoring in psychology, and was initiated into the Phi Beta Kappa society, which honors excellence in liberal arts and social sciences (Biography). She continued her education to Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, where she focused administering public law (Biography). Although Mazie excelled in her education, her brother had difficulties with his academic success (Mazie for Hawaii).  His struggles played a role and influenced Hirono's to push for increased pre-K learning to assist youth with difficulties like her brother.
             After law school the young Asian-American became Hawaii's deputy attorney general, after which she left to practice in the private sector as an attorney (Washington Post).  Congresswoman Hirono's career in the political office began in 1980, when she was elected to the Hawaiian House of Representatives (Mazie for Hawaii). During this time she chaired the Consumer Protection and Commerce Committees.  Following her time in the Hawaiian House of Representatives, Congresswoman Ms. Hirono went on to serve two full terms as lieutenant governor under Governor Cayetano (Washington Post).
            Hirono's political career almost run its course in 2002, when she was defeated by GOP candidate Linda Lingle, who became Hawaii's first female governor (Washington Post). This loss is attributed to Hirono's slender victory over other democratic candidate nominee Ed Case in the primary, which was seen as a lack of support (Dipietro).  However, Ms. Hirono proved resiliant and recovered the title from the incumbent in 2007.  Congresswoman Hirono is the first female and buddhist, although non-practicing, congresswoman to be elected into the house of representatives (Washington Post).
          Hirono was married to Leighton Oshima in 1989, and currently has one step-daughter (Biography).
 





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