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Photographs often are the best way to show dramatic changes in Hawaii, providing an easy update on landmarks, people and events. At other times, however, photos showing minimal changes during the years remind us that the more things change, the more they remain the same. Look for examples of big and little changes every Monday in "It's about time," which will inform, update and prod a few memories.
Thirty-two years ago today, Hiram Fong, then a GOP senator from Hawaii, was nominated as a favorite-son candidate at the Republican national presidential convention in Miami Beach. However, before the first roll call of the states was held at the 1968 convention, Fong withdrew his name, and the majority of Hawaii's 14 delegate votes went to Richard Nixon. Fong, who will be 93 on Oct. 15, was the first U.S. senator of Asian ancestry and the first Chinese American elected to Congress. He served in the Territorial Legislature for 14 years and was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1959, serving until 1977. He is still active in the management of Finance Factors, which he founded, and his latest passion is Senator Fong's Plantation and Gardens, a 725-acre tropical paradise in Kahaluu.
Daisy Smith of Hilo was a delegation guest at this year's GOP convention, held last week in Philadelphia. The 89-year-old Smith attended her first Republican convention in 1940 and has attended every one since 1948.
