Following are some of the many tributes to former Hawaii Gov. George Ariyoshi, who passed away on April 19 at the age of 100.
Rep. Ed Case: “With the passing of Gov. George Ariyoshi, our Hawai‘i has lost one of our best. The stability and foundation he set in those still-early decades after statehood was not only essential to his times but instrumental in navigating the intense change to come.
“The example he set as a public servant is timeless. He may have served quietly and effectively, but he also inspired quietly and effectively. Those lessons are his real legacy. I join all of Hawai‘i in extending to Jean and the Ariyoshi ‘ohana my gratitude for this life so well lived.”
Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus: “George Ariyoshi’s life was defined by service to others. He served in the U.S. Army Military Intelligence Service during WWII, the Hawai’i Territorial Legislature and State Senate, eventually becoming the first Asian American governor in the nation.
“May his memory be a blessing.”
Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke: “I am deeply saddened by the passing of Gov. George Ariyoshi. Like so many elected leaders, I was inspired by his dedication to our state throughout his career in public service as a legislator, lieutenant governor, and, finally, during his historic tenure as governor.
“Steadfast in his principles, Gov. Ariyoshi led from his heart and ensured every action he took benefited the people of Hawaiʻi. While his presence will be missed throughout our community, Hawaiʻi is greater because of his influence.
“I send my deepest condolences to former First Lady Jean Ariyoshi, his beloved children, and the entire Ariyoshi ʻohana. Thank you for sharing Gov. Ariyoshi with all of us, and may each of us continue to honor his legacy.”
State Sen. Sharon Moriwaki: “The passing of Gov. George Ariyoshi marks the end of an era for Hawai’i — and an extraordinary life in service to all of us.
“Gov. Ariyoshi broke barriers that many believed were unbreakable. He was ‘quiet and effective’ in governing with enduring strength, fiscal discipline, and a deep sense of responsibility to our land and people.
“Aloha ‘oe, Governor. With deep gratitude, aloha, and my deepest condolences to the Ariyoshi family.”
Honolulu City Council: “The Honolulu City Council mourns the passing of former Gov. George R. Ariyoshi and extends heartfelt condolences to Jean Ariyoshi and the entire Ariyoshi ʻohana.
“Gov. Ariyoshi served Hawaiʻi with steadiness, integrity, and a clear sense of responsibility to future generations. His public leadership reflected discipline, thoughtful planning, and a belief that government must leave Hawaiʻi in a better place than it found it.
“We join the people of Hawaiʻi in honoring his life, his legacy, and his enduring contributions to our state.”
U.S. Army Pacific: “U.S. Army Pacific honors the life and legacy of former Hawaiʻi governor and U.S. Army Military Intelligence Service veteran George Ryoichi Ariyoshi, a Honolulu native who passed away at the age of 100.
“After graduating from McKinley High School in 1944, he answered the call to serve as an interpreter with the U.S. Army Military Intelligence Service in Japan, contributing to critical post-war efforts. His dedication to duty was formally recognized in 2011 with the Congressional Gold Medal awarded to Nisei soldiers of World War II.
“From his military service to his lifelong contributions to Hawaiʻi, his legacy of service will not be forgotten.”
MIS Veterans Hawai’i President Karen Kikkukawa: “MIS Veterans Hawai’i is saddened to learn of the passing of our former governor, George Ariyoshi. He was an MIS (Military Intelligence Service) member during WWII. MIS soldiers translated confiscated documents and maps and it has been said that this helped shorten the war by two years. We are proud that Gov. Ariyoshi was our long-time member. We send condolences to his ‘ohana, and we thank him for his lifetime of service.”
Japanese American National Museum (Los Angeles): “JANM mourns the passing of George Ariyoshi, the governor of Hawai‘i from 1974-1986. He was Hawai‘i and America’s first governor of Asian American descent.
“He led the state through its first post-statehood recession in the 1970s and invested in education, housing, and public transportation to ease population congestion in Oahu. He also diversified Hawai‘i’s economy by attracting technology, military spending, agriculture, and ocean thermal energy conversion. While he promoted tourism to the state, he tried to limit the state’s population growth.
“He retired from politics in 1986 and was succeeded by his lieutenant governor and the first Native Hawaiian governor, John D. Waihee III.
“Ariyoshi’s widow and the former first lady of Hawai‘i, Jean Ariyoshi, was interviewed by Dr. Arthur A. Hansen, oral historian and Cal State Fullerton professor emeritus of his-tory and Asian American studies, as part of JANM’s Life History Program.”
East-West Center (Honolulu): “The East-West Center mourns the passing of former Hawaii Gov. George Ariyoshi, a visionary leader whose legacy is deeply woven into the center’s history and mission.
“Gov. Ariyoshi played a pivotal role in strengthening the East-West Center’s institutional foundation and global engagement. In 1975, he worked with the Hawai’i State Legislature to establish the center as an independent educational non-profit corporation separate from the University of Hawaii, reinforcing its ability to serve as a bridge between the United States and the Indo-Pacific.”
The Asian American Foundation (Washington, D.C.): “Born in Honolulu on March 12, 1926, Ariyoshi shattered barriers at a time when Japanese Americans and other Asian Americans were emerging as a force in Hawaiʻi politics. After Hawaiʻi became the 50th U.S. state in 1959, he rose to power through the State Legislature and served as both lieutenant governor and acting governor, before being elected as governor in his own right in 1974.
“Ariyoshi served a record three terms as governor and led Hawaiʻi until 1986, where he presided over a historic period of economic transformation. In his final inaugural address, he reflected on his roots, saying: ‘Over the years, I have been tested and tempered and perhaps toughened by time. But I want to assure you that in terms of the enthusiasm, dedication, and hope that I will bring to this job […] I am still — at heart — ‘the boy from Kalihi.’”