50 VOICES OF STATEHOOD

For Immediate Release: March 24, 2009

HONOLULU – U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye, Hawai‘i’s senior senator, is the next Hawai‘i resident to share his views as part of the 50 Voices of Statehood series in commemoration of Hawai‘i’s 50 years of statehood.  When Hawai‘i became a state in 1959, Inouye, who was serving in the Territorial Senate, was elected the first Congressman from America’s newest state. He was re-elected to a full term in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1960.  He was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1962, and is serving his eighth consecutive term.  Senator Inouye discusses his views on statehood in a two-part 50 Voices of Statehood series which is currently airing through March 29.

The 50 Voices of Statehood 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. The vignettes have been airing on six television stations and 60 radio stations statewide.  An interactive online forum (www.seariderproductions.com/50voices) is available to allow teachers and students to incorporate the vignettes into their classroom discussions.

Previous 50 Voices of Statehood vignettes have featured (in order of airing): Dodie Brown, Ret. Judge Jim Burns, former state Land Board Chairman Bill Paty, historian David Parker, former Maui County Mayor Elmer Cravalho, Ret. Army Chief of Staff General Eric Shinseki, former University of Hawai‘i President Dr. Fujio “Fudge” Matsuda, the late labor rights activist Ah Quon McElrath, Chester Kahapea, Danny Kaleikini, Dr. Larry Price, former State Representative Stuart Ho, former state protocol officer Francis Lum, former First Lady Nancy Quinn, and former U.S. Congresswoman Patricia Saiki, Chinese immigrant and businesswoman Lucy Gue Hua Lu Ramirez, community attorney Milton Motooka, and Castle & Cooke descendent Samuel A. Cooke, United Chinese Society leader Danny Young, former Governor George Ariyoshi, banker Walter Dods, former Governor Ben Cayetano, Dr. Kekuni Blaisdell, former Hawai‘i County Mayor Harry Kim and U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka.

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 Union.  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.

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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