50th Anniversary of Statehood Commission Mourns Loss of Ah Quon McElrath

For Immediate Release: December 12, 2008

 

HONOLULU - Kippen de Alba Chu, chair, 50th Anniversary of Statehood Commission, issued the following statement regarding the loss of Mrs. Ah Quon McElrath.   

"The passing of Ah Quon McElrath has saddened her fellow members on the 50th Anniversary of Statehood Commission.  She was a fiercely passionate woman whose positive energy and enthusiasm always propelled us forward, especially during times when difficult and controversial issues were discussed.

Ah Quon was the embodiment of the grit and determination of people who helped to build Hawai`i over the past century and who were imbued with the ideals of democracy and equality for all.  She was an icon for the working class and a tireless advocate for improving social services and education.

The 50th Anniversary of Statehood Commission is a better organization thanks to her involvement and input.  She will be deeply missed for her wisdom and wit.  She will live on in the hearts and minds of all of us on the Commission, and we are extremely grateful to have recently captured some of her wisdom on video through Wai`anae High School’s Searider Productions.  She was part of a quickly shrinking group of individuals, who experienced Hawai`i as both a territory and a state for nearly equal parts of their lives, and whose thoughts on what statehood meant to them and to the place they called home will be memorialized in 50 Voices of Statehood for future generations.

My fellow Statehood Commission members join me in expressing our deepest sympathy to the family of Ah Quon McElrath on her passing.  We can all take comfort in knowing that she lived a truly incredible life, and Hawai`i is a better place because of her."

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For more information, contact:

Kippen de Alba Chu
Chair
50th Anniversary of Statehood Commission
Phone: 808-522-0825

Lenny Klompus
Vice-Chair for Communications and Events
50th Anniversary of Statehood Commission
Phone: 808-586-7705