50 VOICES OF STATEHOOD

For Immediate Release: January 5, 2009

HONOLULU – Former Governor George R. Ariyoshi, the third governor of the State of Hawai`i, will share his views on Hawai`i's statehood as part of the 50 Voices of Statehood series in commemoration of Hawai`i's 50 years of statehood.  In 1974 Ariyoshi became the first American of Asian descent to be elected governor of a state. He served as the state's chief executive from 1974 to 1986.  Former Governor Ariyoshi's views on statehood will run as a two-part 50 Voices of Statehood series, with the first segment airing this week through Jan. 11, and the second segment running Jan. 12 – 18.  

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. 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.

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, and United Chinese Society leader Danny Young.

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