Margaret “Maggie” Awamura Inouye was known as a woman before her time. After graduating from Roosevelt High School in Honolulu, she went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Continuing her education, she moved to New York, to earn her Master’s Degree in education from Columbia University. Upon graduating, she returned to teach speech and linguistics at the University of Hawaii. It was there that she met University of Hawaii student, Dan Inouye. On their second date, Dan proposed to Maggie, and they wed on June 12, 1949.
When they moved to Washington, D.C so that Dan could pursue his law degree at George Washington University, Maggie worked as a file clerk, and later was promoted to administrative secretary at the Bureau of Yards and Docks, Department of the Navy.
They returned to Hawaii, with Dan working for the City and County of Honolulu as a Deputy Public Prosecutor, while Maggie returned to the University of Hawaii as an instructor in education. It was a position she would hold for six years.
When Dan entered the world of politics, Maggie and Dan were truly a team. She was always at Dan’s side, supporting him, listening to his ideas, and offering invaluable suggestions. They could often be seen standing side-by-side greeting and thanking constituents for their support, working together as a true team, making a difference both in Washington, D.C. and throughout the State of Hawaii.
During his first race for the U.S. Senate in 1962, duties in Washington often kept Dan from campaigning against a tough opponent. In his absence, Maggie spent seven days a week that June visiting every island and making hundreds of speeches on his behalf. Dan won the race, and won big, and knows that his Maggie played a pivotal role in him winning a race that put him on the path to become a U.S. Senator. Two years later, Maggie gave birth to their only child, Daniel K. Inouye, Jr.
On March 13, 2006 Maggie passed away due to complications resulting from colon cancer. Dan and Maggie Inouye were married nearly 57 years. Upon her death, Dan stated, “She was a most special woman, and she will always be in my heart.”
