When a reporter asked Oshima if he would serve as Hirono's "chief political confidant and adviser," he answered that "Mazie has much smarter people whom she hires to be that. Leighton Kim Oshima is an Asian-American Attorney who lives in Hawaii. },false) }); Despite health issues, she was reelected to a second term in 2018. [31], Hirono won reelection to a third term with 72% of the vote. The couple first met at a Young Democrats meeting back in 1973 at Waikiki library. Senate. Hirono sometimes mentions her cancer when shes talking about the importance of affordable health care. Party. . But never liking to appear overly impressed by anyone, I gave no outward sign of it.". [14] In 1992, after redistricting, she ran in the newly redrawn Hawaii's 22nd House district. Leighton Kim Oshima came to the limelight as the life partner of Mazie Hirono. "I think you can tell. My mother, brother and I boarded the President Cleveland in Yokohama and crossed the Pacific in steerage. Oshima married American Lawyer and Politician Maize Hirono in 1987 after thirteen years of ups and down in the relationship. }); They always have because of her style. Spouse (s) Leighton Kim Oshima. The court ruled using the phrase sexual orientation and not sexual preference and said, "Decisions about marriage are among the most intimate that an individual can make. The pair had several meetings and fell in love only after that. Eventually, Hirono found herself "falling for this impulsive, fun-loving man" one altogether different from herself. Honolulu, HI 96813. Hirono talks to an aide during the confirmation hearing of FBI Director nominee Christopher Wray. And I'm running.' This is true for all persons, whatever their sexual orientation." Author Robby Soave wrote, As Mazie Hirono and Cory Booker made clear, it is NOT OKAY to say sexual preference instead of orientation. Laura said, "My husband never came around once; my parents were supportive and took all of us in. Hirono was the first female senator from Hawaii and the first Asian-American woman elected to the Senate. Hirono originally planned to run for mayor of Honolulu in a potential 2002 special election created by the vacancy of incumbent Mayor Jeremy Harris, who was planning to resign in order to run for governor of Hawaii. In fact, he was the president of the congregate then. Sighing audibly, she began, "I was born at home in rural Japan. window.googletag.cmd.push(function() { Amy Barrett hearing: Who's Mazie Hirono's husband? In an interview, the couple has shared about their relationship. And I'm just like, who takes notes at a Young Democrats meeting. Hirono has an annual salary of $174,000 as a US Senator. After polling almost equally throughout the race, Hirono defeated Case in the September 21 Democratic primary, 41%40%, a difference of 2,613 votes. [4][8], Raised in Honolulu, Hirono became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1959, the year Hawaii became a state. Eventually, both of them got married in 1987, moreover, Leighton was already divorced and had a daughter named Malia from his previous wife. 3 Leighton Kim Oshima pictures. [16], From 1980 to 1994, Hirono served in the Hawaii House of Representatives, passing more than 120 laws. A member of the Democratic Party, Hirono previously served as a member of the United States House of Representatives for Hawaii's 2nd congressional district from 2007 to 2013. Leighton Kim Oshima is 73 years old and lives in Honolulu, Hawaii. It's always the one screaming the loudest that has something to hide and she really seems obsessed with investigating sex." She even made her own yogurt by putting the starter and milk in a jar and wait for it "I'd wrap my electric blanket around it, and the next morning it would be yogurt!" Leighton Kim Oshima is an attorney and the spouse of the first immigrant U.S Senator Mazie Hirono. She also asks them whether theyve ever been made to sign a non-disclosure form. She has good bonding with her stepmother and shares things with her. }); Photos. In 2006, I was elected to Congress by voters in Hawaii's second congressional district, representing the seat once held by Patsy. Oshima pursued his education degree from George Washington University with a major in law. Over the past 32 years, Oshima has been at Hirono's side during many career highs including her 2006 election to the U.S. House of Representatives and her 2012 U.S. Senate race, the body in. The love birds first met at a Young Democrats meeting that was held in 1973 at the Waikiki library. We will be doing our jobs.". There are lots of big-gun Democrats on the committee, senators who get a lot more attention than Hirono. The act aimed to increase public access to contraception and government funding to support the use of contraception. Thanks to my mother's courage, I was able to take advantage of the educational opportunities available in Hawaii's public schools. Who Is Mazie Hirono's Husband? Would love your thoughts, please comment. Hirono doesnt pull her punches and her phrases are often laced with profanity. According to Oshima, We were duly unimpressed with each other: Mazie in her rubber slippers and pedal pushers with all these tablets and notepads, a huge stack of notebooks. But she is the only senator who asks every nominee, for any position, whether they have ever been accused of sexual misconduct and whether they have ever signed a nondisclosure agreement. Who is Mazie Hironos husband and what role does he play in her success? "[63] Gottlieb said additional staff might be called in as needed. for Hawaii's 2nd congressional district from 2007 to 2013. Talk about making history. If they do that, look for Hirono to be there, even though she is up for re-election this year and may have to cancel planned events in her home state. As a result, our family had little stability or money. With a very few wiki data, Leighton's birth and family information remain unavailable. During the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court nomination hearings in September 2018, Hirono became an outspoken defender of Christine Blasey Ford after Ford accused Kavanaugh of sexual assault, telling men to "shut up and step up. His wife is a well-known politician who has been serving as the Junior United States Senator. But she is perhaps the most dogged, albeit polite, questioner. The meeting was held in Waikiki Library. By the summer of 1975, Hirono had been accepted to Georgetown University's Law Center, but she and Oshima decided to maintain their relationship, despite the difference. The content produced by YourTango is for informational and educational purposes only. Mazie Keiko Hirono (/ m e z i h i r o n o /; Japanese name: , Hirono Keiko; born November 3, 1947) is an American lawyer and politician serving as the junior United States senator from Hawaii since 2013. 808-***-**** View Phone. https://t.co/gRoi9mb7et, Senator Hirono is going to bat right now for the #LGBTQ community, cites the 11 million people in the US who identify with the community. if(document.querySelector("#google_image_div")){ ", "I always was," Hirono said in an interview with NPR. Status Active. Hirono won the general election on November 6, 2012, with 63% of the vote. }); Her teacher was Mr. Oshiro, with whom she is still in touch. Oshima married American Lawyer and Politician Maize Hirono in 1987 after thirteen years of ups and down in the relationship. He is staying in Hawai with his second wife and children. }); Also, his law firm provides him a handsome amount remuneration. Hirono is the first elected female senator from Hawaii, the first Asian-American woman elected to the Senate, the first U.S. senator born in Japan, and the nation's first Buddhist senator. Here are 7 things to know about Leighton Kim Oshima. [74], Also in 2021, it was announced that Hirono would receive Japan's Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star for her "significant contributions in strengthening bilateral relations and promoting legislative exchanges between Japan and the United States". [38] She won the Democratic primary election on August 11, 2012. Laura recalled, "Mazie and Roy slept on the bed. Mazie recalled that she and her brother used to get a dime once or twice a week from their mother. 1. And, by our efforts, if we can decrease that number, we will be making a difference. gads_event = event; And then she did something else unusual. "As long as we're going to be here," Hirono said with a twinkle, "maybe we should pass something important like DACA or an infrastructure bill.". ", And then, without missing a beat, she added, "If that's considered liberal, as opposed to what I call justice and fairness, as I am wont to say, 'F*** them!' Democrat. Before her run in the Senate, Hirono was a member of the Hawaii House of Representatives for 10 yearsand was the Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii for eight years. ga('create', 'UA-67136960-15', 'auto', 'ads'); But, by the time Hirono was 26, she knew she wanted more. [32], In 2008, Hirono was named the national preschool advocacy organization Pre-K Now's "Pre-K Champion" for her efforts on behalf of pre-kindergarten legislation. Mazie Hirono used to be known as the "good girl" of Hawaii politics. She graduated from Kaimuki High School, which at the time had a predominantly Japanese American student body. This is "archaic and offensive." Religion. Mazie worked in the school cafeteria and had a paper route. She was challenged in the primary by Nancy L. Cook and defeated her, 89%11%. Hirono claims that, It was one of those breakups where I burned all of his pictures.. She is the Senate's only immigrant and its first female Asian-American, and she had kept a pretty low profile. [50], In July 2022, Hirono joined in introducing the Youth Voting Rights Act, comprehensive legislation to enforce the Twenty-Sixth Amendment and expand youth access to voting. Hirono expressed disappointment when the Democrat-proposed Feinstein Amendment (banning the sale of firearms to individuals on the terrorist watchlist) and the Republican-backed background check expansion and alert system (regarding guns being sold to terrorist watchlist suspects) both failed to pass the Senate. Behind 'the Collateral Heartbreak' and Intense Devotion of the Reagans' Decades-Long Romance, Sen. Mazie Hirono Votes 'Hell No' Against Amy Coney Barrett's Supreme Court Nomination, Every Republican Senator Who Has Voiced Support for Codifying Marriage Equality Ahead of Historic Vote, Political Hotshot Lis Smith Talks Women in Politics, Democrats' Future and the Secret to Buttigieg's Success, What to Know About the 'Respect for Marriage Act' as D.C. [9] She attended Kaahumanu Elementary and Koko Head Elementary Schools. Though she is courageous and is changing the way we think or trying, at least what about her personal life? ALERT: Constituent Resources about Coronavirus and the American Rescue Plan, ALERT: Resources From The Navy For Residents Impacted By Red Hill Water Contamination Are Available Here, United States Senate Committee on Armed Services, United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary, United States Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, United States Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, United States Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support (Chairwoman). There is one daughter from Leighton's first wife named Malia. Leighton Kim Oshima is an Asian-American Attorney who lives in Hawaii. They created America. Mazie's grandfather Hiroshi died in 1989, and her grandmother Tari died in 2000 at age 99. It is a privilege to do my very best for Hawaii in the U.S. Senate. Well, it seemed to be an interesting patch up. [60], On July 28, 2017, two months after undergoing surgery for stage-four kidney cancer, Hirono spoke on the Senate floor and voted against the so-called "skinny repeal" of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). She won the three-candidate Democratic primary with 91% of the vote. As per bio, Oshima graduated with a law degree from the George Washington University. Senator Born in Japan", "Majority of states have all-Christian congressional delegations", "General Election 2018 Final Summary Report", "Call for men to 'step up' puts Sen. Hirono in the spotlight", "Sen. Mazie Hirono to men: 'Just shut up and step up', "Sen. Hirono's message to men: 'Just shut up and step up. Oshima married American Lawyer and Politician Maize Hirono in 1987 after thirteen years of ups and down in the relationship. This is her purpose in life, to serve. By 1987, Hirono then a state legislator was ready to settle down, having recently turned 40. hitType: 'event', Hirono countered with an impassioned plea, explaining why the bill was important to her and to many Hawaiians. Associated Addresses 2443 Halekoa Dr, Honolulu, HI 96821841 Bishop St Ste 2000, Honolulu, HI 96813841 Bishop St Ste 301, Honolulu, HI 96813 Associated Phone Numbers (808) 538-0040 (808) 737-1213 Powered by. See additional information. ", If that's considered liberal, as opposed to what I call justice and fairness, as I am wont to say, 'F*** them!' "We don't often communicate that way," she noted. Hirono won the election, defeating Lingle in a landslide, 63% to 37%. Hirono said. But that didn't mean they were falling right in love. The couple first met at a Young Democrats meeting back in 1973 at Waikiki library. Mazie in her rubber slippers and pedal pushers with all these tablets and notepads, a huge stack of notebooks. Kim is not active in politics and tries to be anonymous in Hirono's field. 'Very open to the idea': Julia Wandelt takes DNA test to verify if she is missing Swiss girl Livia Schepp, Kayla Lemieux: Teacher with prosthetic Z-cup breasts suspended WITH PAY after pics show her dressed as man, 'We have lots to reveal': Madeleine McCann lookalike Julia Wandelt posts footage of meeting with PI probing claims, Lindsay Clancy case: Psychologist reveals psychosis red flags family members could have spotted, Alex Murdaugh's son Buster 'collapsed' outside court after dad was convicted of double murder. Bashing Barrett, Hirono said, "Not once but twice you used the term 'sexual preferences' to describe those in the LGBTQ community." According to Hirono, When we got married, I told him this better be good because I dont have time for another one., The spouses of many politicians often find themselves doing behind-the-scenes work to support their partnersand though Oshima is a voice of support for Hirono, that doesnt mean he ever dabbles in the spotlight. Hirono doesnt pull her punches like when she recently said the men in this country are causing trouble and they need to hurry up and fix things. Possession of such a tremendous wealth, she is ranked as the 52nd richest person in the U.S. Senate. In 1974, Hirono was running legislative operations for Hawaii state Sen. Anson Chong when she met her future husband, who had just taken a job in the state attorney general's office and was eager to get involved in local Democratic politics. She was the first Buddhist Senator and U.S. senator born in Japan. 1. Hirono has served as a junior Democratic US Senator from Hawaii since 2013. But in Oshima, she found a partner and a champion, someone who allowed her to forge her own path. ", Sen. Mazie Hirono referring to her view that judges should be fair and qualified and care about individual and civil rights. Senator from Hawaii (2013-present). eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), [10] She later attended Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C., where she obtained her J.D. Hirono, pictured at left, with her mother, Laura, who is holding her brother Wayne. "That took a lot of courage. document.querySelector("#google_image_div").addEventListener('click',function(){ [49], In April 2021, Hirono sponsored and the Senate passed a bill attempting to decrease hate crimes against Asian Americans due to xenophobia associated with COVID-19. Since 2013, Mazie Hirono has served as a junior Democratic U.S. She is United States Senator from Hawaii. My dads sexual preference was women for a majority of his life. But they do have the power to debate each nominee on the Senate floor for up to 30 hours. The way she was, she describes in her new memoir, Heart of Fire: An Immigrant Daughter's Story, was headstrong and independent with her focus set squarely on fighting injustice through lawmaking, rather than settling down. She later responded to Hirono and said, "I certainly didn't mean and would never mean to use a term that would cause any offense in the LGBTQ community. The Senate's only immigrant takes that fight to President Trump, whom she openly calls "xenophobic" and a "liar." It was getting closer to the start of school, so I went to look for him. [55], Hirono has a 100% rating from Naral Pro-Choice America. "Literally, the light bulb went on, and I thought, 'Why do I think that some guy is going to take care of me?' When he confirmed the rumor, Hirono writes, she ended things immediately: "'Well, then, this relationship is over!' hitType: 'event', pg.acq.push(function() { Dick Isoo Oshima. Getty According to Hirono, When we got married, I told him this better be good because I dont have time for another one.Though Hironos husband is not much interested in politics, he has always been at his wifes side. She has been serving as the United States Senator since 2013. She worked two jobs as a single mother to keep food on the table and a roof over our heads. }) Democratic Sen. Mazie Hirono may have a quiet demeanor, but that shouldn't be confused for a lack of toughness. Leighton K Oshima, Leighton Kim Oshima. Leighton K. Oshima LO Principal at Law Office of Leighton K. Oshima Honolulu, HI 96813 Peer Reviews 4.4/5.0 Client Reviews < 50% Recommended (1) Update your Profile Education & Credentials University Attended: University of Michigan, B.B.A., 1970 Law School Attended: George Washington University, J.D., 1973 Year of First Admission: 1973 Admission: Whether it is welcoming Hawaii visitors to my Washington D.C. office for weekly Talk Story events, bringing aloha to our nation's Capital as part of the annual Hawaii on the Hill showcase of local businesses, or sitting down with and helping Hawaii constituents and businesses cut through federal red tape at home, my work as a Senator is driven by my connection to Hawaii and energized by the people and place that we call home. The Democrat also takes that fight to Senate Judiciary Committee, as it weekly considers a tranche of Trump judicial nominees, abandoning long-standing rules that guaranteed significant time to examine each nominee's record. ", Hirono never saw her father again, and he has since died. My mother sent me to live with my grandparents because of family circumstances. } We didn't have much, but we persevered. Thankfully, I had health insurance, she said in a speech on the Senate floor, during a discussion of the Affordable Care Act. Although being born in Japan, her mother was of an American citizen. This is her purpose in life, to serve. "The word hypocrisy comes to mind," she said, adding that McConnell just wants to get "more right-wing, ideological judges" onto the courts. My husband took the money, went to town and never came back home. ". However, the identity of Leighton first spouse is a mystery. During the 2010 election cycle, Rep. Hirono's campaign committee paid Wong & Oshima $7,560 for rent.---30--- It is used by anti-LGTBQ activists to suggest that sexual orientation is a choice. But due to internal controversies, Harris dropped out of the gubernatorial election and remained mayor for another two years. Maize is his second wife with an exciting love story. He also acknowledges that people have a tendency to underestimate his wifebut that, Ithey always have because of her style. window.adsContainer = {"positionAfterTitle":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle5_Rel_Newrev","isOrganicUserAd":true,"max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position2":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_After_Title_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position3":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Below_Next_Rel_Newrev","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position4":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle_Rel_Newrev","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position5":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle1_Rel_Newrev","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position6":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle2_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position7":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle3_Rel_Newrev","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position8":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle4_Rel_Newrev","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position9":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle5_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position10":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle6_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position11":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle7_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position12":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle8_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position13":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle9_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position14":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle10_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position15":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle11_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position16":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle12_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"positionTop":{"code":"Article_Desktop_970x250_Header_Rel","isOrganicUserAd":false,"max_width":970,"max_height":250},"positionBottom":{"code":"Article_Desktop_Sidebar_Bottom_Rel_Newrev","isOrganicUserAd":true,"max_width":300,"max_height":600},"positionBottomRight":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_After_Title_Rel_Newrev","isOrganicUserAd":true,"max_width":336,"max_height":280}} New Details About Annie Coons, Death Certificate Of Indiana Lyching Victim Finally Changed From Suicide To Homicide 100 Years Later, The Most Terrifying Tweets From Inside The Capitol During The Riots As Far-Right Mobs Stormed The Building, Senator Patrick Leahy Hospitalized Weeks Before Trump's Impeachment Trial Meet His Wife, Marcelle Pomerleau, Who Is Jeff Flake? [3] She is also the third woman to be elected to Congress from Hawaii (after Patsy Mink and Pat Saiki). She has multiple degrees. But they support each other well after marriage and have a good time. I just don't look like that. My time at the University of Hawaii at Manoa opened my eyes to a life in public service and advocacy. }) Best Match Powered by Whitepages Premium. Dick Oshima. This is the Second marriage of Leighton, but it's the first for Maize. "We both had baseball piggy banks. ga('ads.send', { Another said, "Senator Hirono is going to bat right now for the #LGBTQ community, cites the 11 million people in the US who identify with the community. Though they're now living happily ever after, Sen. Mazie Hirono's relationship with husband Leighton Kim Oshima didn't exactly begin as a fairy tale. Currently, he works as a specialized insurance defense lawyer in Honolulu. Hirono, now 73, would not add a single shortcut. Do the right thing. },false) Her mother worked several jobs, including one at a Japanese language newspaper, to keep the family afloat. As one Hawaii columnist put it, she is a "badass. Oshima earned a law degree from George Washington University, and worked as both a litigator in the state attorney generals office, as well as a private practice. "[45][46][47], In the wake of the January 6 United States Capitol attack, Hirono called for the resignation of fellow senators Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley for their opposition to certifying the 2020 presidential election Electoral College count. These days, many sites post her net worth is around $3 million but compared to 2018's record, possibly more. Working collaboratively both with Hawaii stakeholders and my colleagues in Washington, I'm proud of what we have been able to accomplish. When she was 42, Hirono married Leighton Kim Oshima. After Oshima got a divorce from his first wife and after Hirono ended her relationship he came calling again. She considers herself a non-practicing Buddhist[1][2] and is often cited with Hank Johnson as the first Buddhist to serve in the United States Congress. "'I didn't toot my horn and wave as I drove by because I didn't think it would be appreciated,' " he told her, she writes. In 2012, Hirono was the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by the retirement of Daniel Akaka. Updated: January 03, 2013 She is the Senate's only immigrant and its first female Asian-American, and she had kept a pretty low profile. Kim sticks with Hirono, supporting her in her ups and downs. After the second one, a teeth-grindingly painful operation to remove 5 inches of a rib, she was out for 10 days, but back on the Senate floor in time for the big vote on repeal of Obamacare and to deliver a message to her colleagues. Leighton and his wife is currently at their three decades of marital relationship. "I often tell Leighton if we had gotten married when we were together in our 20s, I think we might have gotten divorced," she says. Mazie Hirono is married to Leighton Kim Oshima. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(),