Peter Aduja was the first Filipino American elected to public office in the United States when he was elected as a representative in the Hawaii Legislature.

[edit] Biography

Aduja was born in Ilocos Sur in the Philippines and moved to Hilo, Hawaii. He graduated from the University of Hawaii and went on to obtain his law degree at Boston University. He returned to Hawaii to practice law and in 1955 was elected to the Hawaii Legislature. He was defeated for a second term. However, after Hawaii was granted statehood, he was elected to three terms, with the first one starting in 1966

[edit] Family

Aduja married Melodie "Lesing" Cabalona and had two children. Daughter, Melodie Aduja would eventually became a Hawaii State Senator.

[edit] External links

• The Filipino Americans: Yesterday & Today
• Filipino Americans
• Honolulu Star-Bulletin