Background
Matsunaga, Spark Masayuki was born on October 8, 1916 in Kauai, Hawaii, United States. Son of Kingoro and Chiyono (Fukushima) Matsunaga.
Matsunaga, Spark Masayuki was born on October 8, 1916 in Kauai, Hawaii, United States. Son of Kingoro and Chiyono (Fukushima) Matsunaga.
Bachelor of Education with honors, University Hawaii, 1941. Juris Doctor, Harvard University, 1951. Honorary Doctor of Laws, Soochow University, 1973.
Honorary Doctor of Laws, St. John's University, 1977. Honorary Doctor of Laws, Eastern Illinois University, 1978. Honorary Doctor of Laws, University Maryland, 1979.
H.L.D., Lincoln University, 1979.
Veterans counsellor, unites states department Interior, 1945-1947;
chief priority claimants division, War Assets Administration, 1947-1948;
assistant public prosecuting, City and County of Honolulu, 1952-1954;
practice law, Honolulu, 1954-1962;
member, Hawaii House of Representatives, 1954-1959;
majority leader, Hawaii House of Representatives, 1959;
member United States House Representatives, 88th-94th Congresses
member, Rules, Aging, Steering and Policy committees
deputy majority whip. United States senator from Hawaii, 1976-1990;
member, Finance, Energy and Natural Resources, Veterans' Affairs committees
chief deputy whip., Finance, Energy and Natural Resources, Veterans' Affairs committees. Member Hawaii statehood delegations to Congress, 1950, 54, Pacific War Memorial Commission, 1959-1962.
Advising committee Honolulu Redevelopment Agency, 1953-1954.
Chairman board Kaimuki Young Men’s Christian Association. President Naturalization Encouragement Association Honolulu. Board directors World Brotherhood.
Society Crippled Children and Adults, Honolulu Council Social Agencies Served from Second lieutenant to captain, infantry Army of the United States, 1941-1945. Retired lieutenant colonel Judge Advocate General Corps 1969. Member American Bar Association, Hawaii Bar Association, DAV, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Japan-American Society, University Hawaii Alumni Association Clubs: Lions (Honolulu), 100 (Honolulu).
Married Helene Hatsumi Tokunaga, August 6, 1948. Children: Karen (Mistress Hardman), Keene, Diane, Merle, Matthew.