Asian Studies

Senator Hiram Fong is one of Americas most celebrated citizens.  Against staggering odds, he rose to become the first Asian in American government.  Born the seventh of eleven children to an indentured servant and maid, he grew up poor.  One is compelled to wonder how this man, who came from less than optimal beginnings rose to the top so swiftly.  Firstly, it is his strong work ethic and unwavering desire to achieve the American dream that drove him to the upper echelon of Hawaiian society and politics.

Perhaps Fongs impressive ethics stemmed from the fact that he began working when he was only four years old.  From the age of four to seven he worked as an algarroba picker.  He earned ten cents for each thirty pound bag that he sold.  He next worked as a newspaper delivery boy and shoe shiner.  He sold fish, crab and made poi deliveries while maintaining his grammar school studies and chores at home.  It is a difficult to reconcile the image of a child worker with the polished distinguished man whose portrait proudly hangs in government buildings.

Secondly, it is his academic career that led to his success.  Fong always managed to maintain honor status in his academics.  He put himself through college and due to lack of funds, he had to interrupt his academic career.  Never loosing focus though, he held down two jobs simultaneously while attending college.  Likewise for law school.  Fong had to interrupt his legal studies due to lack of funds.  Undeterred, he attended Harvard Law school at Cambridge and graduated with honors.  He returned to Hawaii and founded his own law firm and was the head of several Committees.  It is the internal determination and wavering spirit of independence that helped Fong become a stunning success.