Fong memorial service
at Capitol tomorrow

State government officials, a former congresswoman and ministers of the First Chinese Church of Christ will speak at a memorial service tomorrow for former U.S. Sen. Hiram Fong.

The memorial in the state Capitol courtyard will begin at 5 p.m., with a color guard of military service members escorting the casket to the atrium, where the body will lie in state overnight.

Speaking at the 6 p.m. service will be Senate President Robert Bunda, State House Speaker Calvin Say and former U.S. Rep. Patricia Saiki. A message from Gov. Linda Lingle, who is on the mainland, will be read by her chief of staff, Bob Awana.

First Chinese Church of Christ pastors, the Rev. Paul Brennan and the Rev. Samuel S.E. Ling, will offer prayers and reflections. Fong and his wife, Ellyn, were married at the church and were members.

Entertainer Genoa Keawe will sing Fong's favorite Hawaiian song "Ka'alaea" and the Kamehameha Schools Concert Glee Club will perform hymns.

The body will be taken on Friday to Nuuanu Memorial Park Mortuary, where visitation will be open after 9:30 a.m. and a funeral service will be conducted at 11:30 a.m. Burial will be private.

Fong, the first Asian American to be elected to the U.S. Senate, died Aug. 18 at the age of 97.

He is survived by his wife, Ellyn; sons Hiram Jr., Rodney and Marvin; daughter Merie-Ellen Gushi; 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.