When it comes to Washington, the Congressional delegations of Hawaii and Alaska have always been close. Perhaps it has something to do with the two of them being the new kids on the block. For instance, when former Senator Ted Stevens was taking heat for his Bridge to Nowhere up in Alaska, it was Senator Dan Inouye who came to his support. Now it seems the state is returning the favor.

State lawmakers laud Hawaii senator for support

The Alaska lawmakers, led by Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, and House Speaker Mike Chenault, R-Nikiski, presented Inouye with an Alaska state flag flown over the Capitol in Juneau on Jan. 3, the 50th anniversary of Alaska statehood.

Also present were Republican Reps. John Harris of Valdez and Bill Stoltze of Chugiak, sponsors of a measure which proclaimed Inouye's 85th birthday on Sept. 7 as Sen. Daniel Inouye Day in Alaska.

The Alaska lawmakers, led by Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, and House Speaker Mike Chenault, R-Nikiski, presented Inouye with an Alaska state flag flown over the Capitol in Juneau on Jan. 3, the 50th anniversary of Alaska statehood.

Also present were Republican Reps. John Harris of Valdez and Bill Stoltze of Chugiak, sponsors of a measure which proclaimed Inouye's 85th birthday on Sept. 7 as Sen. Daniel Inouye Day in Alaska.

 A little known fact: Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders make up almost 6% of the population in Alaska. They even have a new state Senator, who is a Democrat and Japanese American, named Scott Kawasaki. Perhaps when we talk about the impact of the AAPI vote, perhaps we should pay a little more attention to the 49th state.