Public celebrates life, lasting legacy of former Gov. George Ariyoshi at Kawaiahao Church
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A public visitation for former Gov. George Ariyoshi took place Saturday at Kawaiahaʻo Church.
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Residents bid their final farewell to Ariyoshi, who forged deep ties between the Asian community and Hawaiʻi.
Several people took to the stage to talk about Ariyoshi and his long-lasting impact.
“He said I want to build a better future for the state of Hawaii and for our children and our children’s children,” a man said.
The public visitation took place from 2 to 4 p.m., followed by the celebration of life for the man who was the longest-serving governor in Hawaiʻi history.
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Hawaii Supreme Court Associate Justice Sabrina McKenna said he lived a wonderful and full 100 years, but will always be the state’s longest-serving governor who helped move Hawaiʻi forward.
“It’s amazing that he lived a wonderful and full 100 years, but he is and always will be the longest-serving state governor because no one can serve 14 years again,” she said. “He really helped transition Hawaii to the future and what we have now, a state that respects the environment, respects the native Hawaiian people, respects nature, respects the aloha spirit. And that is his legacy.”
Ariyoshi was governor from 1973 to 1986, serving three terms.
He died on April 19 at the age of 100.
Ariyoshi is the eighth person to lie in state in the Hawaiʻi State Capitol Rotunda.
He will be laid to rest in private ceremonies at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl.
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