News Release from Hawaii Republican Party May 15, 2012

Yesterday the Hawaii Republican Party lost one of their Giants.

Former Senator Wadsworth Yee was a committed Republican. He was also leader in the Hiram Fong for Senate campaigns. Senator Yee was influential as a State Senator who could barter a compromise with the Democrats to get the job done. He was always good on his word and everyone trusted him - Democrats and Republicans.

"Wadsy" as he was affectionately called was a successful businessman, one of the founders of Grand Pacific Life Insurance. Yee, of Kaneohe, also was an attorney and Army veteran. He applied his business background and knowledge to make Hawaii a better a place through his legislation. We shall miss him.

For information on services and where to send donations please click here.

Mahalo,

David S. Chang

Chairman

SA: Former state senator Wadsworth Yee dead at 90

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Flags to Fly at Half-Staff Monday, May 21, in Memory of Former Senator Wadsworth Y.H. Yee

News Release from www.Hawaii.gov/gov May 18, 2012

HONOLULU – Governor Neil Abercrombie today ordered that all national and Hawai'i flags at state offices and agencies as well as Hawai'i National Guard facilities are to be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Monday, May 21, in memory of former state Senator Wadsworth Y.H. Yee. Senator Yee died May 8 at age 90.

“Senator Yee’s leadership as a veteran, public servant, businessman and developer truly shaped the Hawai'i we know today,” said Governor Abercrombie. “His legacy is continued in our public and private institutions, and he will be dearly missed.”

Yee served in the territorial and state House from 1958 to 1962, and later served in the state Senate, representing the 11th District (Manoa-McCully-Waikiki) from 1966 to 1982. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, discharged in 1946 as a corporal, and served in the Army Reserve attaining the rank of major.

Along with former state House Speaker Hiram Fong, Yee became part of a group that founded Grand Pacific Life Insurance Co. in 1957. He also served as president and chief executive officer of Grand Pacific, which at its height had agencies in California, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Samoa and America Samoa.

Senator Yee is survived by wife Aileen S. Kitaoka-Yee; sons Alan, Randall and Brian; stepsons Barney and Reid Tokujo; stepdaughter Carrie Kitashima; stepbrother Thomas Leong; 17 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Nu'uanu Memorial Park and Mortuary, followed by services at 11:30 a.m. Inurnment will be private.

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SA: Flags to fly at half-staff Monday for former Sen. Wadsworth Yee