Statehood Hawaii

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Laura Figueira is a Hilo native, a descendant of Portuguese immigrants who arrived on the Big Island in 1882. She attended UH Hilo before moving to Oahu where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Her career has been predominantly in government service, including the job of District Director for Congressman Cec Heftel and current position as Senior Administrative Assistant to State Senate President Emeritus Robert Bunda. A resident of Sunset Beach, she is active in her community as a board member and past President of the Haleiwa Arts Festival and member of the North Shore Chamber of Commerce. She is especially proud of her Portuguese ancestry. She is a board member and current President of the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii and past president and current Treasurer of the Hawaii Council on Portuguese Heritage. In 1998, she was awarded the Medal of Merit by the Secretary of State for Portuguese Communities, bestowed on individuals whose actions contribute to strengthening the ties that unite the Portuguese and descendants of Portuguese ancestry around the world.

More information on Views from the Shore:
The Impact of Immigration on Hawai'i Past, Present & Future:
Pt 1 and Pt.2

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