50 VOICES OF STATEHOOD RADIO AND TELEVISION VIGNETTE LAUNCHES YEAR-LONG 50th ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION

For Immediate Release: August 25, 2008

HONOLULU – To kick off the commemoration of Hawai‘i’s golden anniversary of statehood, the 50th Anniversary of Statehood Commission today began airing the first of 50 Voices of Statehood radio and television vignettes.

The vignettes, which are being recorded by the award-winning Searider Productions of Wai‘anae High School, feature personal perspectives on statehood and Hawai‘i’s history from 50 residents representing the state’s diverse ethnic, cultural, religious, political, social and economic backgrounds.  Each week over the next year, a different vignette will air on six television stations and 60 radio stations statewide.  An interactive online forum (www.seariderproductions.com/50voices) will allow teachers and students to incorporate the vignettes into their classroom discussions.

The first of the 50 Voices of Statehood vignettes features Dody Brown.  Although she was only six at the time Hawai‘i became a state, a young Dody was featured in a well-known 1959 photograph holding a newspaper announcing “STATEHOOD” in big, bold letters. 

The 50th Anniversary of Statehood Commission has planned a comprehensive year-long series of events and activities, with a special focus on education, to honor the 50th anniversary of Hawai‘i’s admission to the United States.  The 50 Voices of Statehood series, as well as information on the Commission, its members and the commemorative plans may be found at www.hawaii.gov/statehood.

####

For more information, contact:

Kippen de Alba Chu 
Chair
50th Anniversary of Statehood Commission
Executive Director, ‘Iolani Palace
Phone: (808) 522-0825

Lenny Klompus
Vice Chair – Events
50th Anniversary of Statehood Commission
Senior Advisor – Communications
Office of the Governor
Phone: (808) 586-7708