The senior senator clearly still has beef with Hirono’s Democratic opponent, former Congressman Ed Case, for how Case handled his controversial decision to challenge fellow Democrat Sen. Daniel Akaka in 2006. 

But that doesn’t make Inouye’s support any less valuable to Hirono. Here’s how she responded to Inouye’s comments about her on Tuesday:

“Senator Inouye and I have a great working relationship and I have long admired his service to the people of Hawaii,” Hirono told DC808 via a spokeswoman. “I’m honored by his words of support and his recognition of my work on behalf of Hawaii’s families.”