Bissen travels to DC, talks interisland transportation with congressional leaders
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The Maui News
Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen traveled to Washington, D.C., last week to meet with Hawaii's congressional leaders and promote products from local businesses at the Capitol.
The mayor spoke with U.S. Sens. Mazie Hirono and Brian Schatz, as well as U.S. Reps. Ed Case and Jill Tokuda, on interisland transportation between Molokai and Lanai and a need for federal funding to support these and other efforts, according to a news release from the Mayor's Office on Friday. He also discussed his administration's focus on infrastructure, agriculture, economic diversification and affordable housing.
"It was a tremendous opportunity to be able to bring the needs of our county to the nation's capital and speak directly with our congressional delegation," said Bissen, who returned to Maui on Friday. "Being a county with multiple island communities makes us unique, and interisland transportation needs impact medical care, business operations and connecting families. It is important to seek available support."
The multiday trip included a lei draping ceremony to honor King Kamehameha on June 11 at the U.S. Capitol. Bissen, a member of the Royal Order of Kamehameha I, donned full regalia to present a lei on behalf of Maui County.
He also attended the 7th annual Hawai'i on the Hill, which brings some of the best Aloha State products and industries to the U.S. Capitol.
The event returned June 13-15 after a break due to the pandemic. More than 40 Hawaii businesses participated this year and more than 1,000 people attended.
Maui County products that were highlighted included Hapa Company venison beef jerky from Molokai, Maui Chili Chili Oil, Maui Coffee Roasters, Maui Gold Pineapple, Maui Brewing Co., Maui Kuia Estate Chocolate, Maui Nui Venison Hawaii, Uncle Louie's Sausage, Ono Loa raw honey from Lanai and Maui Rainbow Tea.