50th Anniversary of Statehood Commemoration

Rep. Jon Riki Karamatsu & Former Senator Nadao "Najo" Yoshinaga

50th Anniversary of Statehood Commemoration

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

12:00 Noon

State Capitol, House Chambers

Recognition and Introduction of Former Hawaii Senator Nadao “Najo” Yoshinaga

Senator Shan Tsutsui:

I have the great honor to be able to introduce to you today Senator Nadao Yoshinaga who also is widely known as Najo.  Senator Yoshinaga was elected into the House of Representatives of the Territory of Hawaii in the 1954 Democratic revolution.  In 1959, he was elected into the Senate of the State of Hawaii where he served until retiring in 1974.  Senator Yoshinaga was the chairman of the influential Senate Labor Committee and the Ways & Means Committee.

            During his career, he was responsible for landmark legislation such as the Pre-Paid Health Act, the Art in Public Places Act that established the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, and the creation of the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, among many others.  At this time, I would like to yield the floor to Representative Jon Riki Karamatsu.

Representative Jon Riki Karamatsu:

Senator Nadao Yoshinaga or as we like to call him, Senator Najo Yoshinaga, has mentored so many leaders in Hawaii, including many present today.  He has been my friend, advisor, and confidante ever since I met him when I worked for Senator Carol Fukunaga in 2002.  It is a dream come true for me to have a mentor who is a member of the 1954 Democratic revolution and the 442^nd Regimental Combat Team.  I am very appreciative for all the knowledge he has shared with me and many others.

Senator Yoshinaga graduated from Maui High School and the University of Hawaii at Manoa where he attained his Bachelor of Arts degree.  He volunteered for the United States Army and served in the 442^nd Regimental Combat Team.  After the war, Senator Yoshinaga decided to apply his GI Bill benefits to study law at DePaul University where he attained his Juris Doctorate degree.  He returned to work for the law firm of Bouslog and Symonds in Honolulu, and then in Maui, which was known for its defense of the ILWU or International Longshore and Warehouse Union.

Senator Yoshinaga’s pro-active and progressive vision, strength of conviction, organizational and strategic brilliance, helped to shape and inspire legislative, business, and community leaders long after his formal retirement.  He continues to encourage, advise, and inspire legislators and legislative staffs during his many visits to the Hawaii State Capitol.  Thus, even today, he is making an impact on Hawaii indirectly through his many protégés.  I like to leave you with a statement Senator Yoshinaga likes to say, “Make Hawaii the best place in the world.”   Senator Najo Yoshinaga, thank you for all you have done to make Hawaii the best place in the world.