[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 95 (Thursday, June 1, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S1894]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO MABEL HASHISAKA

 Ms. HIRONO. Mr. President, later this month, on June 14, we 
will welcome Hawaii businesses to our Nation's Capital for the seventh 
annual Hawaii on the Hill. These businesses will have an opportunity to 
hear from government leaders, Federal officials, policy experts, and 
others about the important issues facing small businesses and 
entrepreneurs in the United States. The businesses will also have an 
opportunity to showcase their products and share what we have to offer 
from the Aloha State.
  Since the inaugural event in July 2014, Hawaii on the Hill has been 
very successful. But such success would not be possible without the 
dedication, commitment, and hard work of business owners from our 
State, who make this event possible every year. We are excited to 
welcome them back to Washington, DC, for the first time since the 
pandemic. Recognizing this dedication, I would like to acknowledge one 
particular business owner who has been with us since the very 
beginning: Mabel Hashisaka, of Kauai Kookie.
  Mabel's story is pretty remarkable. Her father immigrated from Japan 
to Hawaii in 1905. She was born in Lihue, Kauai, and graduated from 
Waimea High School in 1946. At a time when many girls did not go to 
college, Mabel attended the University of Hawaii, earning a bachelor's 
degree in psychology, and then attended Indiana University, where she 
graduated with a master's degree in education. She was then a school 
teacher on Hawaii Island for many years.
  In 1965, she decided Kauai needed more ``omiyage''--or gifts that 
visitors could bring back to share with their family and friends--so 
she started Kauai Kookie. She began by making chocolate macadamia nut 
shortbread cookies and serving them on the side of plate lunches at the 
Big Save grocery store that her father owned. The cookies gained 
popularity, and soon, customers were coming in just for the cookies. 
Mabel purchased a used stove and oven from another Hanapepe business 
for $100 and hired a few employees. Kauai Kookie was born.
  More than 50 years later, Kauai Kookie remains a Kauai community 
staple. During the pandemic, the company delivered food to families in 
need with their ``Souper Sundays'' program and provided ``Kookies for 
Heroes'' to first responders on the front line.
  Kauai Kookie now bakes over 50,000 cookies and other baked goods each 
day and also offers salad dressings and marinades. It has two locations 
on Kauai, the original factory in Hanapepe and the bakery and cafe in 
Kalaheo. Kauai Kookie products can be found throughout Hawaii, in 
specialty stores in the continental United States, and overseas. The 
products are made with some of the finest ``Made-In-Hawaii'' products 
like macadamia nuts, Kona coffee, and Kauai Makaweli poi. Kauai Kookies 
originally came in eight island flavors--Kona Coffee Macadamia, 
Chocolate Chip Macadamia, Peanut Butter, Guava Macadamia, Coconut 
Krispies, Cornflake Crunch, Macadamia Nut Shortbread, and Almond--but 
have since expanded to many more varieties and flavors.
  Mabel claims that she is not a baker and that her philosophy has 
always been to hire someone smarter than her to help with the business. 
But despite her humble approach, it is clear she has built something 
truly impressive that has an important place in the community. Today, 
she still lives on Kauai with her husband Norman and her two daughters 
Ann and Ruth, who lead the company. So even to this day, her legacy 
continues.
  Mahalo, Mabel, for your contributions to our State as a recognized 
business leader. You continue to inspire all of us to ``just do 
it.''

                          ____________________