Star-Bulletin
The late U.S. Sen. Spark Matsunaga, who helped
Japanese Americans get redress for being unjustly
interned in World War II, is displayed on a new
savings bond making its debut today.

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New U.S. savings
bond honors Hawaii’s
Spark Matsunaga

The $10,000 bond bearing his
likeness is being unveiled today
at a ceremony in Honolulu

By Lori Tighe
Star-Bulletin

Spark Matsunaga was a Hawaii Renaissance man: war hero, harmonica player, peacemaker, distinguished U.S. Senator and poet.

His likeness now graces the new U.S. $10,000 savings bond, scheduled to be unveiled this morning at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii.

Matsunaga is one of eight Americans, including Helen Keller and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., to be honored on the new I inflation-indexed Savings Bonds. Each person was chosen for significant contributions to the country.

Born Masayuki Matsunaga on Kauai to a modest farm family, he made his mark fighting for peace, civil rights, space exploration, renewable energy and reparations for Japanese Americans interned during World War II.

"Spark Matsunaga was a role model and leader throughout his life," said Treasury's Van Zeck, commissioner of the Public Debt. "He was a World War II hero and during his political career championed legislation to promote peace and achieve justice for all Americans."

The new $10,000 bond went on sale May 1. It features a portrait of Matsunaga and a background of him standing on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, where he served for almost three decades in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.

The I bonds, ranging from $50 to $10,000, offer a guaranteed real rate of return above inflation, according to Zeck. Sold at face value, they grow with inflation-indexed earnings for up to 30 years.

U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, who succeeded Matsunaga in the Senate, called the bonds "a wonderful tribute for a true patriot ... Throughout his career, Sparky worked to ensure that all Americans enjoyed the fruits of liberty and understood our shared responsibilities for keeping our country free and strong."

After Matsunaga earned his bachelor's degree in education at the University of Hawaii, he volunteered for active Army duty in World War II. He served with distinction in the 100th Infantry Battalion, the first Japanese-American unit formed during World War II. He received the Bronze Star, an Army Commendation Medal and two Purple Hearts for being twice wounded in Italy.

After the war he graduated from Harvard law school and returned to Hawaii to practice law and begin his political career.

As one of the Territorial Legislature leaders, he helped Hawaii to statehood in 1959. Matsunaga made immigrant rights, veterans' welfare and the defense of Japanese Americans his hallmarks with his 1962 entrance into the U.S. House of Representatives.

He was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1976, and supported legislation to establish the United States Peace Institute, a research organization located at UH. He was a major proponent of renewable energy sources and Soviet-American cooperation in space exploration.

In his personal time, he played the harmonica and wrote poetry. He also spearheaded legislation to create the U.S. poet laureate.

Probably his greatest achievement in the Senate was obtaining redress for Japanese Americans who had been unjustly interned during World War II.

He died in 1990 at age 73 still serving in the U.S. Senate.

Upon his death, his personal papers and records became the property of his family, who donated them to the University of Hawaii in October 1997.

The UH library received 1,200 boxes of documents, photographs and memorabilia from the senator's 28 years in Congress. Also included are professional and personal materials from his pre-congressional life.

Especially noteworthy are documents, letters, photographs and memorabilia from his Army service.