In an event the late man of honor might himself have dismissed as a lot of unnecessary fuss, Hawaii’s four county mayors and other local government officials celebrated what would have been U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye’s 89th birthday Saturday with a party on the grounds of the Civic Center.
Inouye, who served in Congress for more than 54 years, died on Dec. 17.
The celebration, sponsored by the Mayor’s Office on Culture and the Arts, included talk-story remembrances of the late senator, music by Ho‘okena and food donated by Zippy’s Restaurants — including Inouye’s favorite, chili.
About 100 people attended.
Inouye’s former chief of staff, Jennifer Goto Sabas, acknowledged that her former boss was "never a big birthday guy."
According to Goto Sabas, Inouye’s approved birthday acknowledgement was a single red rose in a bud vase or, if he was back home in Hawaii, a plate with one pork hash, one half moon and one pepeau — "but only from Char Hung Sut."
Still, Goto Sabas and other celebrants agreed that Saturday’s fete was fitting for a man whose political imprint is evident in nearly every corner of the state.
In reflecting on Inouye’s service with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, his political rise in the so-called Democratic Revolution of 1954 and the more than 54 years that Inouye served in Congress, Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell likened Inouye’s presence and pervasive influence to that of the sun.
"He was there forever," Caldwell said. "It seemed like he was there before our collective memory."
Each of the county mayors acknowledged Inouye as a patient, positive mentor and a model of conscientious governance.
"He never talked about fault or about negative things," said Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa. "He always thought about what kind of future we could build and how we could prepare our communities for those futures. And he didn’t just talk. He made sure we had everything we needed to make it a reality.
"The gentleman truly had amazing foresight."
Inouye’s widow, Irene Hirano Inouye, echoed Arakawa’s sentiments and encouraged the current generation of Hawaii politicians to follow her husband’s example by looking forward and working together for the good of the community.
Despite the reverent tone of the remarks, the prevailing mood of the ceremony was low-key and decidedly informal.
Big Island Mayor Billy Kenoi recalled his early encounters with Inouye while he served as an intern in Washington, D.C.
"(Sen. Inouye) always made us feel comfortable and he never hesitated to help," Kenoi said.
Kenoi said Inouye treated him with the same warmth and support when he was elected as mayor.
Kauai Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. unintentionally found himself celebrating Inouye’s memory as much in song as in oratory. During a lull before the formal program, Carvalho joined Ho‘okena for a rendition of Jimmy Kaholokula’s "Pua ‘Olena."
Later, after reminiscing about watching Inouye play piano during an informal gathering at his home, Carvalho was called up to the stage again to join the band for "Kaimana Hila," Inouye’s favorite song.
After the formal program, a kukui nut tree was planted on the Civic Center grounds in Inouye’s honor.
