Tom Moffatt, 50 Voices

HONOLULU – Concert promoter Tom Moffatt, who has staged concerts in the islands by Elvis Presley, Bob Marley, the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin and Elton John, to name a few, shares his unique perspective on Hawai‘i’s statehood. When Hawai‘i was admitted to the Union in 1959, Moffatt was an on-air personality emceeing shows twice a day on KPOI Radio.  The same radio station is also observing its 50th anniversary this year.  Moffatt’s 50 Voices of Statehood vignette is currently airing statewide through June 14.

On March 18, 1959, President Dwight Eisenhower signed into law the bill that allowed Hawai‘i to be admitted as the 50th state of the United States of America.  The Presidential signing of the Hawai‘i Admission Act paved the way for Hawai‘i residents to vote on the Statehood bill, which they approved on June 27, 1959.  Two months later, on August 21, 1959, President Eisenhower made Hawai‘i’s statehood official by signing a proclamation welcoming Hawai‘i as the 50th state of the Union.

The 50 Voices of Statehood vignettes, which are being recorded by the award-winning Searider Productions of Wai‘anae High School, feature personal perspectives on statehood and Hawai‘i’s history from 50 residents representing the state’s diverse ethnic, cultural, religious, political, social and economic backgrounds. The vignettes have been airing on six television stations and 60 radio stations statewide.  

Moffatt joins a distinguished and diverse list of Hawai‘i leaders and community members who over the course of this golden anniversary year are sharing their thoughts and remembrances of statehood.  

Previous 50 Voices of Statehood vignettes have featured (in order of airing): Dodie Brown, Ret. Judge Jim Burns, former state Land Board Chairman Bill Paty, historian David Parker, former Maui County Mayor Elmer Cravalho, Ret. Army Chief of Staff General Eric Shinseki, former University of Hawai‘i President Dr. Fujio “Fudge” Matsuda, the late labor rights activist Ah Quon McElrath, Chester Kahapea, Danny Kaleikini, Dr. Larry Price, former State Representative Stuart Ho, former state protocol officer Francis Lum, former First Lady Nancy Quinn, and former U.S. Congresswoman Patricia Saiki, Chinese immigrant and businesswoman Lucy Gue Hua Lu Ramirez, community attorney Milton Motooka, and Castle & Cooke descendent Samuel A. Cooke, United Chinese Society leader Danny Young, former Governor George Ariyoshi, banker Walter Dods, former Governor Ben Cayetano, Dr. Kekuni Blaisdell, former Hawai‘i County Mayor Harry Kim, U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka, U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye, former Governor John Waihe‘e, State Adjutant General Robert Lee, Vietnam veteran Allen Hoe, cultural specialist Leona Kalima, educator Fred Cachola, businesswoman Alice Guild, hotelier Peter Fithian, comedian Frank De Lima and Chef Roy Yamaguchi.

The 50th Anniversary of Statehood Commission has planned a comprehensive year-long series of events and activities, with a special focus on education, to honor the 50th anniversary of Hawai‘i’s admission to the Union.  The 50 Voices of Statehood series, as well as information on the Commission, its members and the commemorative plans may be found at www.hawaii.gov/statehood.

For more information, contact:

Kippen de Alba Chu    
Chair
50th Anniversary of Statehood Commission
Executive Director, ‘Iolani Palace
Phone: (808) 522-0825

Lenny Klompus
Vice Chair – Events
50th Anniversary of Statehood Commission
Senior Advisor – Communications
Office of the Governor
Phone: (808) 586-7708