HI HR93

Hawaii House Resolution nominates former Governor John D. Waihee III for induction into the Aloha Order of Merit, an honor established by the Legislature in 1993 for individuals who have achieved national or international recognition and provided extraordinary service to the State.

Waihee served as Hawaii's fourth Governor from 1986 to 1994 and was the first Native Hawaiian elected governor of any U.S. state.

During his tenure, he chaired the Democratic Governors Association in 1992, led the Education Commission of the States, and implemented the QUEST health care program to expand Medicaid coverage for low-income families.

As a delegate to Hawaii's 1978 Constitutional Convention, he helped establish the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, recognize Hawaiian as an official state language, and advance efforts that contributed to the 1993 federal Apology Resolution (Public Law 103-150).

Waihee continues public service as Chair of the Board of Governors of the East-West Center and through civic engagement on energy policy and Pacific regional affairs.