Clifton Kenichi Tsuji was born on Jan. 20, 1941 and raised in the Big Island's plantation town of Papaikou. A 1959 graduate of Hilo High School, he completed his post-secondary degrees at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and the University of Washington, Pacific Coast Banking School. From 1969 to 2003, he worked for Central Pacific Bank, and retired as a senior vice president & neighbor island regional manager. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2004 and was chairman of the Agriculture Committee. Among his many awards, he was named the Hawaii Farm Bureau's Legislator of the Year Award in 2015. Tsuji served in the U.S. Army Reserve, 442nd Infantry, Company B, Hilo, from 1959-1965. He was also active with the Hilo Medical Center Foundation, Hawaii Island Japanese Community Association, Pacific Tsunami Museum, Hiroshima Kenjin Kai, Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce, and the Kumamoto Kenjin Kai. He is survived by his two sons Ashley Allen and Ryan Kalei Tsuji; brother Patrick Tsuji; numerous nieces and nephews. December 2, 2016 at the Hawaii State Capitol House Chambers. Visitation: 9:30 - 10:30 am, Service: 10:30 am December 4, 2016 at Dodo mortuary (Hilo Hawaii). Visitation: 2:00 - 4:00pm, Service: 4:00pm Arrangements Provided By: Borthwick Mortuary
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
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