HR314

WHEREAS, born on December 31, 1963, SALEVA'A FUAULI ATISANO'E, also known as KONISHIKI, grew up on the Leeward coast of Oahu in a community in which a large part of the population is economically-challenged; and

WHEREAS, KONISHIKI's world opened up before him when he transferred to University Laboratory School in Honolulu, where he met many people from diverse backgrounds; and

WHEREAS, KONISHIKI's horizons broadened further when he moved to Japan to pursue a career in its traditional national sport, and while immersed in the highly culturally-oriented world of sumo, learned the importance of harmony between people regardless of culture, religion, race, or ethnic origin; and

WHEREAS, KONISHIKI rose quickly through the ranks in sumo, eventually becoming the first non-Japanese sumo wrestler to attain the prestigious title of ozeki, sumo's second highest rank; and

WHEREAS, KONISHIKI and his fellow non-Japanese sumo wrestlers were highly influential in opening up the often-closed world of sumo to the rest of the world; and

WHEREAS, after officially retiring from the Sumo Association in 1998, KONISHIKI started his own business as a marketing professional, publicizing his persona by appearing in numerous television advertisements for various Japanese companies and products, thus becoming the "Commercial King" in Japan; and

WHEREAS, in addition to his success in Japan, KONISHIKI has had the opportunity to appear in action-packed movies, top magazines, and commercials in the United States, and as an established recording artist and producer, he has been able to open doors for Hawaii's entertainers in Japan's entertainment industry; and

WHEREAS, since his retirement from sumo in 1998, giving back to the community has been the main focus of KONISHIKI's life: he has immersed himself in promoting Hawaii to the rest of the world through music and regular television appearances, and has also been actively involved in various charitable causes for children including educational projects, following his belief that children are our future; and

WHEREAS, one of the charitable causes to which he is dedicated is the "KONISHIKI KIDS FOUNDATION" which strives to improve the lives of the hundreds of disadvantaged children who are on the verge of losing hope at a young age by mentoring and guiding them to stay on the right path; and

WHEREAS, as part of the "KONISHIKI KIDS FOUNDATION," local sixth graders are given the experience of life in Japan for a week, and since 1997, more than 500 of Hawaii's children and their families have been able to travel to Japan with travel, food, clothing, and sight-seeing expenses taken care of by his foundation; and

WHEREAS, all of KONISHIKI's successes are put to good use as he strives to uplift his community on the Leeward coast, emphasizing his main philosophies that we all have a choice in life and should strive for the best and give back to others; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2008, that this body hereby honors, commends, and congratulates SALEVA'A FUAULI ATISANO'E, also known as KONISHIKI, for his tremendous display of courage throughout life, contributions to the sport of professional sumo wrestling,

and support of his community on the Leeward coast, and extends to him its warmest aloha and best wishes for continued success in all future endeavors.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Saleva'a Fuauli Atisano'e also known as Konishiki

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	314
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII