Peter A. Aduja

PETER A. ADUJA, OUR INSPIRATION October 19, 1920 Ð February 19, 2007 Loving grandfather, father, husband, son, WWII veteran, teacher, attorney, counselor, legislator, judge, delegate, community leader, friend, role-model, trailblazer, inspirationÉ. Peter Aduja, 86, of Kaneohe left us unexpectedly on February 19, 2007. He was a lovely gentleman with a kind heart who greeted anyone and everyone along his path, always smiling and happy, always kind and respectful. In 1954, he won a seat in the Hawai'i Territorial House of Representatives from Hilo becoming the first person of Filipino ancestry to win a major elective post in the United States. In 1960, he was appointed a District Court Magistrate for the Hawaii First Circuit Court becoming the first person of Filipino ancestry to be appointed a judge in the United States. He came from humble beginnings as the only child of immigrant parents from Salindeg, Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines. In 1928, he and his mother traveled by boat 4,495 miles to join his father in Hawai'i. He didn't speak English when he started school at Hakalau Elementary. He later became Student Body President at Hilo High School and graduated from the University of Hawai'i in 1944. He served with the 1st Filipino Infantry Regiment. After his deployment, he taught at Naalehu Intermediate School. He later rose to distinction as an attorney, patriot, politician, judge, Constitutional Convention delegate, and community volunteer with more than 30 organizations. He served as Lifetime Boardmember of the Salvation Army ARC; Post 15 Commander of the American Legion; Scout Master of Troop 50 of the Boy Scouts of America; Chair of the Kaneohe Neighborhood Board; Executive Secretary of the Filipino Chamber of Commerce; President of Oahu Filipino Council; President of the U.S. and Filipino Veterans Association; and legal advisor to the Ilocos Surian Association; Vigan Association of Hawaii; Gumil Hawaii; and Annak di Kailokuan iti Amerika, among others. He was also a real estate broker and a member of the Honolulu Board of Realtors. He and his wife loved to travel. They traveled to British Columbia, Hong Kong, American Samoa, Singapore, India, Philippines, Thailand, Peru, Columbia, Portugal, France, Fiji, New Zealand, Australia, Bangkok, Brazil, Egypt, Galapagos Islands, Chile, Spain, Holland, Austria, Germany, China, Japan, Jakarta, Cambodia, Israel and Costa Rica. Recently, he traveled to Alaska and Nevada. His hobbies included shoreline and boat fishing, crabbing, and throw-net fishing. He and his wife frequented Heeia Kea Small Boat Harbor as fishing was their favorite pastime. He also enjoyed teaching his grandchildren to fish and play basketball, and playing at the Sandbar with them. Survivors include son, Jay (Maryann); daughter, Melodie Rebecca; two grandchildren and numerous relatives-in-law, and many loving lifelong friends. Visitation is at 9 a.m. March 29 at Kawaiahao Church and the service will begin at 10 a.m. A ceremonial service will follow at 2 p.m. at the Hawai'i State Veterans Cemetery in Kane'ohe.