Former Hawaii Gov. George Ariyoshi, first U.S. governor of Asian American descent, dies at 100

HONOLULU — Former Hawaii Gov. George R. Ariyoshi — the nation's first Asian American governor — has died at 100 years old.

Ariyoshi, a Democrat who led the state from 1973 to 1986, died peacefully while surrounded by family Sunday night, according to a statement Monday from current Gov. Josh Green.

"Governor Ariyoshi devoted his life to Hawaiʻi with humility, discipline and an unwavering sense of responsibility to the people he served," Green said. "He led our state during a pivotal moment with quiet strength and integrity, and his legacy as a trailblazer and public servant will endure for generations."

Ariyoshi was a three-term governor who first rose to the position in October 1973. Three years earlier, he had been elected lieutenant governor, and he then became acting governor when Gov. John Burns fell ill with cancer.





https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/former-hawaii-gov-george-ariyoshi-first-governor-asian-american-dies-rcna341124