Ariyoshi is honored with Aloha Order of Merit

Former Gov. George Ari­yoshi was inducted Monday into the Hawaii State Aloha Order of Merit, which was created by state lawmakers and is described as one of the state’s highest honors.

Ariyoshi was Hawaii’s third governor, and the country’s first governor of Japanese ancestry. He began his political career serving in the state House of Representatives and state Senate before becoming lieutenant governor under Gov. John Burns from 1970 until 1973.

Ariyoshi served as acting governor in 1973 when Burns became ill, and was elected governor in 1974. He served three terms, leaving office in 1986.

The Aloha Order of Merit was established in 1993 by the state Legislature to honor individuals who have distinguished themselves nationally or internationally in their field, who contributed to the attainment of statehood, devoted themselves to the betterment of the state and provided extraordinary service to the state.

The late U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka was the first recipient of the Aloha Order of Merit in 2013. Ariyoshi is the second.

“Throughout his career, Governor Ariyoshi has looked out for others, fighting for injustice and working to create equity. He learned the values that formed the foundation for his life of service from his parents,” said Gov. David Ige.

The son of Japanese immigrants, Ariyoshi graduated from McKinley High School in 1944 before he was drafted during World War II. He served with the Military Intelligence Service in occupied Japan.

He later continued his education at the University of Hawaii, Michigan State University and the University of Michigan, where he earned his law degree in 1952.