More than 80 students from Mililani Middle School and their escorts booked their trip to Washington, D.C., months ago, so there was no way to know that the U.S. government would shut down during their visit this week.

Fortunately, Sen. Mazie Hirono was happy to help out. She and her staff led the students and their escorts (and me, in town for work) on a tour of the U.S. Capitol, including visits to the Old Senate and Old Supreme Court chambers.

A highlight was a stop in the Rotunda, where Hirono reminded students that the last person to lie in state there was the late Sen. Dan Inouye. She also posed for photos with female students in front of the statue of suffragettes Susan B. Anthony, Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

“When you turn 18, please remember to vote,” Auntie Mazie told the students.

Photo: Sen. Mazie Hirono and students, Oct. 8. (Civil Beat)

—Chad Blair