George Ryoichi Ariyoshi
(b. 1926)
Born in Honolulu as the son of Japanese immigrants, George Ariyoshi became the first governor of Japanese ancestry in the nation.
After his education at the University of Hawai`i, Michigan State University and Michigan Law School, Ariyoshi returned to Hawai`i to pursue a private law practice. In the
1950s and
'60s, he also served as a territorial representative and state senator. In
1970 he was elected lieutenant governor under Governor Burns; he served as acting governor when Burns became ill late in
1973. In
1974, Ariyoshi was elected governor, winning a second term in
1980. In his long political career, Ariyoshi never lost an election.
Since retiring from politics in
1986, Ariyoshi has remained active in the business community and as a member of the Board of Governors of the East-West Center.
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