[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 67 (Tuesday, May 11, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5093-S5094]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO ``MANUEL'' KATSUMI OISHI

 Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I am honored to rise in tribute to 
Mr. ``Manuel'' Katsumi Oishi who has faithfully served the Territorial 
Government of Hawaii and the State of Hawaii, Maui County, for 37 
years. He unselfishly dedicated his time to improve his community. Born 
in 1926 and raised in McGerrow Camp, Puunene, Maui, Mr. Oishi is being 
recognized today at the McGerrow Camp Reunion for the honor that he 
brings his birthplace.
  Mr. Oishi's career began with the Territorial government in 1949. In 
1951, he started working for Maui County as a Clerk in the Building 
Department. He was promoted to Clerk for the Transportation Control 
Committee, then later served as Secretary. Transferred to the Civil 
Defense Department in 1958, he held the positions of Secretary, then 
Coordinator, and, in 1961, he became the Civil Defense Administrator. 
In 1973, while Deputy County Clerk and later as County Clerk, Mr. Oishi 
ensured that the county operated efficiently and unselfishly gave of 
his time to assist Maui residents navigate the sometimes bureaucratic 
maze of government.
  Because of his love of sports and the youth of Maui, Mr. Oishi 
pursued a simultaneous career as The Honolulu Advertiser's sports 
reporter for 38 years. He diligently covered all of Maui's 
interscholastic sports in the evenings and on weekends. His positive 
stories encouraged young Maui athletes to take pride in themselves and 
their sports.
  The incredibly energetic Mr. Oishi has devoted countless volunteer 
hours to make life a little easier and better for the residents he so 
dearly loves. Since graduation from Baldwin High School in 1944, Mr. 
Oishi has headed the planning of every class reunion. During the last 
20 years, he has chaired all of the McGerrow Camp reunions on Maui, 
which have amassed an attendance of 250 to 300 people. Mr. Oishi's 
relentless efforts have resulted in former McGerrow Camp residents 
having a great time and experiencing a deep feeling of friendship and 
ohana (family). When the Selective Service System went though some 
trying times, Mr. Oishi volunteered for five years to help push the 
paperwork through and to answer those pressing questions from anxious 
young men and their parents.
  His commitment to the youth of Maui is also evident in his volunteer 
work with the AJA Baseball League in which he held several positions on 
the board. In 1991, he received the Tadaichi Fukunaga Dana Award for 
his ``unselfish services and contributions to (his) temple and to the 
growth of Buddhism.'' Since 1976, he has been Editor of ``Friends of 
the Dharma,'' the monthly newspaper for his church, Wailuku Hongwanji 
Mission.
  Although Mr. Oishi is retired from government service and The 
Honolulu Advertiser, he continues his invaluable service to his church 
and the Maui County Credit Union of which he serves as the Secretary-
Treasurer.
  Mr. Oishi's unfaltering commitment to government service and his 
sincere devotion to his community and its citizens bring pride and 
honor to McGerrow Camp. He certainly has earned the love and admiration 
of the residents of McGerrow Camp, the County of Maui, and the State of 
Hawaii.
  Mr. President, I ask my colleagues in the Senate to join me in 
recognizing ``Manuel'' Katsumi Oishi for his outstanding contributions 
to Maui County and to the State of Hawaii and send my heartiest aloha 
to those celebrating the McGerrow Camp reunion.

[[Page S5094]]



                          ____________________