KAILUA-KONA — Virginia Isbell, a former politician, public servant and pillar of the Kona community, died Sept. 19 on Oahu. She was 87.
Isbell passed away peacefully at the home of her daughter, Mahealani Holzman, in Haleiwa, said Isbell’s youngest daughter, Iwalani Isbell.
“She never compromised, she never lied, she never did anything to hurt anyone,” said Iwalani Isbell, speaking for her family from her home on Oahu. “She always had integrity and character. She would always say, ‘All you have is your credibility — that’s it.’”
Known to many on the Big Island for her skill blowing the pu at ceremonies, Virginia Isbell’s life was so much more. As a public servant, she spent 18 years in politics — 16 at the state House of Representatives and two on the Hawaii County Council.
“My mom’s one miracle after another and God had a plan for her life,” Iwalani Isbell said.
Born May 8, 1932, in Chinook, Mont., Virginia Isbell was the fourth of five children reared by an Italian father and American mother, according to the 2018 memoir “Die to Live: To the Edge of Heaven and Back” published by her son-in-law, Gordon Noice.
The book recounts her life and “journeys to the edge of eternity,” having died three times and come back to survive life-threatening illnesses, including a paralytic form of polio when she was 16.
The time Virginia Isbell spent in medical care after her bout with polio led her to seek a career in medicine. But women doctors were unheard of at the time and nursing was too physical. Instead, she went to school, learning typing to transcribe doctor’s notes.
She married her husband, Don Isbell, in 1953 and moved to Hawaii with their two sons, David and Daniel, in 1960. In Hilo, the family welcomed its first daughter, Mahealani, followed by Iwalani in 1963. A few years later, the family moved to Kealakekua where their fifth child, Richard, was born.
Don Isbell was a teacher at Konawaena High School while his wife raised the family and expanded her career as a public servant.
Virginia Isbell entered politics “to make a difference and help the community,” Iwalani Isbell said.
Virginia Isbell represented West Hawaii in the state House of Representatives from 1980-96. She lost subsequent runs for mayor and the state Senate before winning a seat on the Hawaii County Council representing Keauhou to Honaunau in 2004. She lost the seat by a narrow vote in 2006, and failed to win a state Senate seat in 2008.
Maile David, who now represents the council district Isbell did, said “no words can adequately describe the countless lives that Virginia touched.”
“A dear friend of my grandmother, Bernabella ‘Mama’ Abril, I am blessed with memories of Virginia in my personal life and honored to have worked and learned from her as legislator,” David said. “Virginia was a trailblazer, an inspiration and role model for women in politics. I aloha and mahalo Virginia for being an exceptional community advocate, but most notably I admire her deep respect for the Hawaiian culture and traditions. I will think of Virginia with fond aloha whenever a pu blows.”
Isbell was also a substitute teacher at Konawaena, water safety instructor, paddler, piano teacher, pilot and volunteer for many organizations. In addition, she competed in a team in the 2009 Lavaman triathlon.
She also garnered several awards and honors throughout her career and life.
Isbell is survived by sons, David Isbell of Ocean View, and Richard (Jamie) Isbell of Tavarua, Fiji; daughters, Mahealani (Patrick) Holzman and Iwalani (Gordon Noice) Isbell, all of Oahu; sister, Rowena Sargent of Spokane, Wash.; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, plus one on the way.
A public celebration of life is planned for 9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 7, at the West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery, where her husband, an Army veteran, is interred.
Email Chelsea Jensen at cjensen@westhawaiitoday.com.
