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At Hawaii Remembrance and Memorial, U.S. Rep. Mark Takai Laid to Rest

Rep. Mark Takai died July 20 of pancreatic cancer at the age of 49 during his first term in Congress.
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Hawaii Gov. David Ige speaks in front of the flag-draped coffin of the late U.S. Rep Mark Takai during a ceremony at the state Capitol in Honolulu, Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016. Friends and family gathered to remember the Hawaii Democrat as a warm public servant who never gave up when facing adversity. The war veteran and long-time legislator died in July.Caleb Jones / AP
By Frances Kai-Hwa Wang

Led by a traditional Hawaiian chanter, members of the Hawaii National Guard carried U.S. Rep. Mark Takai’s casket into the Hawaii State Capitol Rotunda, where his body lay in state on Thursday. Takai died July 20 of pancreatic cancer at the age of 49 during his first term in Congress.

Image:
Hawaii Gov. David Ige speaks in front of the flag-draped coffin of the late U.S. Rep Mark Takai during a ceremony at the state Capitol in Honolulu, Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016. Friends and family gathered to remember the Hawaii Democrat as a warm public servant who never gave up when facing adversity. The war veteran and long-time legislator died in July.Caleb Jones / AP

A remembrance ceremony in Honolulu on Thursday was attended by several state and federal politicians, and a memorial service will be held Friday. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Sen. Mazie Hirono, Hawaii Gov. David Ige, Hawaii House Speaker Joseph Souki, Hawaii Senate President Ron Kouchi, and others spoke fondly of Takai, his work ethic, and his dedication to the people of Hawaii.

“Eighteen months he was in Congress, 18 months,” Pelosi said at the remembrance ceremony. “But he accomplished so much. He was a man in a hurry. He made use of time in a very special way.”

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Family surrounds the flag-draped coffin of the late U.S. Rep Mark Takai during a ceremony at the state Capitol in Honolulu, Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016. Friends and family gathered to remember the Hawaii Democrat as a warm public servant who never gave up when facing adversity. The war veteran and long-time legislator died in July.Caleb Jones / AP

Takai had previously served in the Hawaii State House of Representatives for 20 years, since the age of 27. He also served in the Hawaii National Guard for 17 years and was deployed during Operation Iraqi Freedom, according to his office.

“In life Mark devoted himself to realizing his vision for a healthier, safer, and better world, and in death will be remembered for having so much more to give,” said U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz in a statement. “Whether it was in the Hawaii Army National Guard, the Hawaii State Legislature, or in the U.S. Congress, Mark was a true champion for the people of Hawaii. We will long remember Mark for his smile, his kindness, his optimism, and the love he gave to his ohana and all he served.”

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Members of an honor guard from the Hawaii Army National Guard carry the flag-draped coffin of the late U.S. Rep. Mark Takai into the state Capitol in Honolulu, Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016. Friends and family gathered to remember the Hawaii Democrat as a warm public servant who never gave up when facing adversity.Caleb Jones / AP

Takai is one of the very few who have lain in state at the Hawaii Capitol, joining Gov. John A. Burns, U.S. Sen. Spark Matsunaga, U.S. Rep. Patsy Mink, U.S. Sen. Hiram Fong, U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye, and musician Israel Kamakawiwoole, according to Hawaii News Now.

Given Takai’s tradition of celebrating Aloha Friday, his family has requested that those attending Friday’s memorial service dress in aloha attire. Takai is survived by his wife and two children.

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Frances Kai-Hwa Wang

Frances Kai-Hwa Wang is a freelance writer and speaker based in Michigan and Hawaii. She has been a contributor for AAPIVoices.com, NewAmericaMedia.org, ChicagoIsTheWorld.org, PacificCitizen.org and InCultureParent.com. She teaches Asian Pacific American Studies and writing and she speaks nationally on Asian Pacific American issues.