Former congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa died Thursday, March 5, at the age of 74.
Born in Wai‘anae, Hanabusa first served in the Hawai‘i State Senate from 1999 to 2010. During this time, she became the Senate Majority Leader and later Senate President, the first woman in the state to do so.
In 2011, Hanabusa was elected to represent the state’s First Congressional District at the U.S. House of Representatives, winning reelection again in 2012 and serving until 2015. One year later, she returned to her seat following the death of her successor, Mark Takai.
After leaving office in 2019, Hanabusa served as chair of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit — a position she departed last year — and unsuccessfully ran for governor of Hawai‘i and mayor of Honolulu.
Gov. Josh Green ordered the U.S. and state flags to be flown at half-staff at the state Capitol, all state office and Hawai‘i National Guard facilities through the weekend.
“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,” Green said in a statement. “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.”
Sen. Mazie Hirono, who served concurrently with Hanabusa, issued her own statement, saying: “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. 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.”
Honolulu Managing Director Mike Formby, formerly Hanabusa’s Chief of Staff, said Hanabusa’s legacy “will be reflected not only in the many accomplishments of her career but also in the countless people she inspired through her service and leadership.”
Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi also issed a statement, saying Hanabusa “dedicated her life to serving the people of Hawai‘i with intelligence, determination and an unwavering sense of purpose,” and that “her leadership and steady guidance were instrumental during an important time for [HART’s] Skyline project.”
