Colleen Hanabusa, who represented Hawaiʻi within the U.S. House of Representatives, died Thursday. She was 74.
Hanabusa, a Democrat, served twice within the House, from 2011 to 2015 and once more from 2016 to 2019.
Gov. Josh Green on Friday ordered that the U.S. and Hawaiʻi flags be flown at half-staff on the State Capitol, all state workplaces and businesses, and all National Guard amenities in her honor till dawn Monday.
“Jaime and I extend our deepest aloha and sympathy to the Hanabusa ʻohana and to all who loved Colleen,” Green mentioned in a press launch. “Colleen Hanabusa dedicated her life to serving the people of Hawaiʻi — from the Waiʻanae Coast she proudly called home, to the halls of the Hawaiʻi State Capitol and the United States Congress. She broke barriers as the first woman to serve as President of the Hawaiʻi State Senate and spent decades advocating for her community with strength, determination and heart. Her legacy of leadership and public service will continue to inspire generations to come.”
Hanabusa served as a state senator from 1999 to 2010, the place she represented a district on Oʻahu’s Waiʻanae Coast the place her household had lengthy resided. She served as Senate president for 2 of these years, the primary lady to carry the place.
She additionally ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate in 2014 towards Sen. Brian Schatz, for Hawaiʻi governor in 2018 towards Gov. David Ige and mayor of Honolulu in 2020 in a big subject that was received by Rick Blangiardi.
More just lately, Hanabusa was chair of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation. She resigned that position in September. She additionally chaired the State Salary (*74*).
Hanabusa, an legal professional, is survived by her husband John Souza.
Hanabusa is being remembered fondly by her colleagues from Hawaiʻi in Congress.
“She stood by me during some of my toughest battles; as a young mother in the chamber, she never once questioned that I could both lead and nurture,” Rep. Jill Tokuda mentioned in a press launch. “In so many ways, she was a trailblazer and a fighter who left an indelible mark in Washington, D.C., during her time in Congress. We are all better because of her leadership and service.”
“I had the privilege of working with Colleen in Congress, where together we worked to continue strengthening the trust relationship between the federal government and the Native Hawaiian community,” mentioned Sen. Mazie Hirono. “I’m grateful to have known Colleen and to have worked alongside her, and I’m sending my aloha to her husband John, her family, and all who loved her.”
City and county flags shall be lowered in the present day by means of Sunday out of respect for Hanabusa’s passing.
“Colleen and I once stood on opposite sides of a mayoral race, but what grew from that experience was a relationship built on mutual respect and friendship,” Blangiardi mentioned in a press release. “I came to appreciate her insight, her honesty, and her deep commitment to this community. I was grateful when she agreed to serve as Chair of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation Board. Her leadership and steady guidance were instrumental during an important time for the Skyline project.”
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