Congresswoman Hirono Corrects False Impressions Surrounding
2008 Sugar Bowl Trip
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono (Hawai’i), today, addressed the false impression surrounding the circumstances relating to her and her husband’s attendance at the 2008 Sugar Bowl as reported in this morning’s Honolulu Advertiser (“UH release full bowl travel list,” June 6, 2008).
The Congresswoman made it clear from the beginning that she would be paying for her and her husband’s expenses, and would not have embarked on this trip without this explicit understanding.
Here are the facts:
December 17, 2007 – Congresswoman Hirono’s office emails the University of Hawai’i a form that includes her personal credit card information and her signature to pay for two (2) tickets to the 2008 Sugar Bowl game for the Congresswoman and her husband.
That same email also instructs the University to use that personal account for any other trip-related charges.
The Congresswoman paid for her hotel accommodations upon check out.
January 4, 2008 – Congresswoman Hirono’s office emails the University requesting a full breakdown of any remaining charges from the Sugar Bowl trip.
By this time, the Congresswoman has already personally paid for the Sugar Bowl tickets and hotel accommodations, in full.
March 12, 2008 – The University of Hawai’i emails the billing for the Congresswoman and her husband’s flight. In that email, the University apologizes for the delay in responding to the January 4 request.
March 21, 2008 -- Congresswoman Hirono sends the University the check to pay for, in full, the plane tickets to New Orleans.
As this timeline shows, the Congresswoman’s actions were appropriate throughout.
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