John T. Ushijima

John T. Ushijima
Member of the Hawaii Senate
In office
1959–1982
President of the Hawaii Senate
In office
1975–1978
Preceded byDavid C. McClung
Succeeded byRichard S.H. Wong
Personal details
Born(1924-03-13)March 13, 1924
Hilo, Hawaii, U.S.
DiedAugust 13, 2006(2006-08-13) (aged 82)
PartyRepublican
Democratic
Alma materGrinnell College
George Washington University Law School

John T. Ushijima (March 13, 1924 – August 13, 2006) was an American politician. He served as a member of the Hawaii Senate.

Life and career

Ushijima was born in Hilo, Hawaii. During the Second World War he served in Europe with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team.[1][2] After the War, he attended Grinnell College and George Washington University Law School.[2]

Ushijima served in the Hawaii Senate[3] from Hawaii's first post-statehood election in 1959[4] until his retirement in 1982.[1] Ushijima rose through the ranks, becoming Assistant Majority Leader for 1963–1964, Senate Vice President for 1971–1974, and Senate President for 1975–1978, while also chairing several Senate committees along the way.[5][6] While in the Senate, Ushijima supported legislation on health care, housing, and non-discrimination.[1][6] During the 1970s he also supported decriminalization of marijuana,[7] saying that "The enforcement of a statute against a victimless act is impossible".[8]

Ushijima later served on the Board of Regents for the state-wide University of Hawaii system.[1][2]

While Ushijima was at times[9] attested to be the brother of his fellow Hilo-based legislator, State Representative Charles T. Ushijima, other sources listed them as having separate parents.[10][11][12]

Ushijima died[1] on August 13, 2006, at the age of 82.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Borreca, Richard (August 15, 2006). "WWII vet helped craft early social legislation: John T. Ushijima / Former Senate President". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 Yount, David (1996). Who Runs the University?: The Politics of Higher Education in Hawaii, 1985-1992. University of Hawai'i Press. p. 137. ISBN 9780824818210 – via Google Books.
  3. ↑ State Elective Officials and the Legislature, Council of State Governments, 1981
  4. ↑ "Results of First Hawaii State Election July 28". Hawai Hōchi. September 18, 1959. p. 23. Retrieved April 7, 2026.
  5. ↑ 55 Years of Statehood: A chronicle of legislative history (PDF). Hawai‘i State Senate. 2014. p. 134. Retrieved April 20, 2026.
  6. 1 2 Dayton, Kevin (August 15, 2006). "Obituaries - 1924-2006 Former Sen. John Ushijima was 'major architect of modern Hawai'i'". The Honolulu Advertiser. pp. B1.
  7. ↑ Oelsner, Lesley (July 13, 1975). "In a Sometimes Bitter Fight, States and Cities Are Easing Marijuana Laws". The New York Times. p. 28. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
  8. ↑ Glatzer, Hal (December 3, 1974). "Ushijima blows some minds". Hawaii Observer. p. 3.
  9. ↑ McManus, Larry (November 6, 1968). "Record Vote: Demo Support Reaffirmed: Isle Turnout Sets Record (2)". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. p. 4. Retrieved April 21, 2026.
  10. ↑ Allen, Gwenfread (1966). Men and Women of Hawaii, 1966. Honolulu: Honolulu Star-Bulletin. p. 514.
  11. ↑ Buker, Betty Finley. Buker, Betty Finley (1972), Men and Women of Hawaii, 1972: A biographical directory of noteworthy men and women of Hawaii, Honolulu: Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
  12. ↑ Watumull, David (1988). Prominent People of Hawaii, 1988. Delta Publishing Company. p. 207.
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