So in 1938, Fong and Miho's father — Katsuro Miho — formed their own firm, Fong, Miho, Choy and Chuck.

"Orientals were not allowed in the Pacific Club, the O'ahu Country Club, the Outrigger Canoe Club ... My father and Senator Fong grew up in a Hawai'i where they were second-class citizens," Miho said. "Insults and discrimination against Orientals were common and normal. It was a fact of life that you had to be better than the haole to stay even. You had to work harder, stay longer, be smarter to get ahead in Hawai'i."

They were the sons of immigrants and the first in their families to go to college. And their tiny law firm never had more than 10 employees.

Yet Fong, Miho, Choy and Chuck produced two state House legislators, a U.S. attorney, a U.S. District Court judge, Family Court judge, judge in the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals "and of course, a U.S. senator," Jon Miho said.

Even at the height of his political power in Washington, Fong never grew bitter and never forgot his impoverished boyhood or his mission to serve, he said.

"He was never too big, too important, too busy to help Hawai'i," said Miho, a former legislative aide for Fong in Washington. "He always thought of himself as a poor boy from Kalihi who got lucky and therefore should share his luck with as many people as possible."

In Fong's Senate office, Miho once implored Fong to fire an employee who was making mistakes and disrupting the efficiency and morale of the office.

"The senator patiently listened to me, then looked me in the eye and said, 'Jon, you never take away a man's rice bowl,' " Miho said. "He later found that man a new job — and at a raise.

"I remember him as a patient and humble man, a person who helped people wherever he could, a man who seemed surprised by all the affection and respect that he generated in people. He was an honorable man who brought honor to himself, his family, his state, his country and his race. We will not often see his type of man again."

In a wheelchair pushed by Hiram Jr., widow Ellyn Fong follows Hiram Fong's casket to his final resting place in Nu'uanu. Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

Fong died Aug. 18 at the age of 97 in his 'Alewa Heights home after a political career that spanned the Territorial Legislature, state House of Representatives and U.S. Senate as a Republican in a state dominated by Democrats.

Even in the middle of the night yesterday, about 100 mourners continued to pay homage to Fong as he lay in state at the Hawai'i Capitol.

"You just had to really admire a person who went through all that he did," said Violet Yee as Fong's casket was guarded early yesterday morning by members of the Hawai'i Army and Air National Guard.

Yee lived down the street from Fong, where Fong once gave Yee's then-4-year-old son simple advice: "Read, read, read."

Jeffrey Yee went on to Notre Dame on a scholarship and is now a 38-year-old Air Force major — just as Fong once was. All these years later, Yee still remembers Fong's words, his mother said.

The news of Fong's death has spread around the world, and journalists from five Chinese newspapers attended yesterday's service to send back dispatches.

During visitation, son Rodney Fong, left, and Janna Fong, daughter of Hiram Jr., hug Nathan Fong, son of Marvin Fong, youngest of the senator's three sons. Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

Mourners spilled out of the mortuary where Fong was remembered as a humble politician and a devoted father, grandfather and husband. Those who came to pay their respects included U.S. Sen. Dan Inouye, D-Hawai'i; U.S. Attorney Ed Kubo; and Honolulu mayoral candidate Duke Bainum.

With Fong's death, Daniel B.T. Lau, 85, is now the last survivor of the six partners who founded Finance Factors in 1952.

Lau remembered Fong for his "forgiving nature." He was once punched in the Territorial Legislature by a fellow lawmaker — but later gave the eulogy for his attacker's wife.

Even though the founders were all partners, Lau said he and the others always looked up to Fong.

"He never panicked and always came up with a viable solution," Lau said. "He was always willing to give of himself to help others. ... A man of such integrity, dedication and compassion lives on forever in our hearts."

After the service, Inouye said that Fong helped guide Hawai'i from a plantation economy to a tourist destination.

"I'm glad that Hiram was along to take part in that transition," Inouye said.

"Although we were of different political parties, when it came to the welfare of Hawai'i, there was no difference."

Reach Dan Nakaso at dnakaso@honoluluadvertiser.com or at 525-8085.