50 VOICES OF STATEHOOD COMMEMORATE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF STATEHOOD
Third in the series features Bill Paty
For Immediate Release: September 5, 2008
HONOLULU – The third of 50 Voices of Statehood television and radio vignettes will feature former state Land Board Chairman Bill Paty. A lifetime resident of Hawai‘i, World War II veteran and retired business leader in the sugar industry, Paty offers yet another perspective on statehood. He recalls what he was doing at the time in 1959 when he heard about Hawai'i becoming a state: dancing in the streets of Waikīkī with his wife after hearing the good news. Paty also gives insight to the economic drivers of Hawai‘i’s early years. Paty’s 50 Voices of Statehood vignette will air during the week of Sept. 8 – 12.
The 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. Each week over the next year, a different vignette will air on six television stations and 60 radio stations statewide. An interactive online forum (www.seariderproductions.com/50voices) will allow teachers and students to incorporate the vignettes into their classroom discussions.
The first two 50 Voices of Statehood vignettes featured Dody Brown, who at 6 years old, was captured in a well-known 1959 photograph holding a newspaper announcing “STATEHOOD” in big, bold letters; and retired Chief Judge Jim Burns, whose father John Burns lobbied for statehood while serving as the delegate for the Territory of Hawai‘i to the United States House of Representatives (1957-1959).
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 United States. 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.
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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
