U.S. Rep. Mark Takai died this morning in his Honolulu home after a nine-month battle with cancer, his office said in a statement. ADVERTISING U.S. Rep. Mark Takai died this morning in his Honolulu home after a nine-month battle with
U.S. Rep. Mark Takai died this morning in his Honolulu home after a nine-month battle with cancer, his office said in a statement.
He was 49.
Takai, who served two decades in the state Legislature, was elected to the U.S. House seat representing urban Honolulu that was vacated by former Rep. Colleen Hanabusa last year.
He was an Iraq War veteran and a lieutenant colonel in the Hawaii Army National Guard.
Gov. David Ige said in a statement “the people of Hawaii mourn the passing” of Takai.
“Mark humbly and effectively served the people of his state House and Congressional districts. In the often tumultuous world of politics, he has been a shining example of what it means to be a public servant,” he said.
“Congressman Mark Takai was a good, kind, gentle man,” Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi said. “He was an admirable father and husband, and a humble servant leader. Mark was a champion athlete and a champion for the people of Hawaii. Our aloha goes out to his wife Sami, son Matthew and daughter Kaila. Mark’s loss is a big loss for all of us who call Hawaii home.”
Service information is pending.
See Thursday’s Tribune-Herald for additional information.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
