An Oahu man joins the diplomatic ranks as the newest Honorary Consul. The Queen of Denmark has approved Claus Z. Hansen, CEO and co-owner of Affordable Casket & Moanalua Mortuary, as Royal Danish Consulate, representing Hawaii. “I’m excited to be selected for this honor. Though I have made Hawaii my home, I keep close ties to my homeland, and visit my relatives every other year,” he says. “Helping my fellow Danes have a positive experience in Hawaii is important to me.”
The Royal Danish Consulate in Hawaii is now located at 1150 Kikowaena St., Honolulu, HI 96819. Office hours are 8 am – 4 pm.
What is an Honorary Consul? It’s not a career diplomat. It’s a private citizen who helps represent the citizens of a certain country, as a volunteer role. Honorary Consuls are afforded a military rank, after Rear Admirals/Major Generals/Air Vice Marshalls.
An Honorary Consul may be called out (at any time, day or night) to attend to the well-being of a citizen of the appointing country who has been arrested. They ensure that the arrested person is being treated fairly, and that he or she understands their rights and obligations. “According to my predecessor, most of the cases involving Danes were lost passports or wayward hikers,” anticipates Hansen.
Hansen was born and raised in Denmark, and moved to Hawaii in 1986 to attend the University of Hawaii on a swimming scholarship. He chose to make Hawaii his home, and teaches his daughter Danish in the hopes that she will one day appreciate her Danish heritage. He has been an active member of Hawaii’s Scandinavian community for more than 20 years.
No, the job doesn’t come with diplomatic immunity, but he does get a cool license plate, a really large coat of arms for the wall, and now and then, a dinner with the Danish Queen.
http://www.consularcorpshawaii.org/
Contact: Claus Z. Hansen
(808) 542-2021 cell
clausz@lava.net
http://cremationhi.com/index.php
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