Congressman Mark Takai, the 49-year-old Hawaii representative who had been battling pancreatic cancer for months, died Wednesday in his home surrounded by family, according to his office.
Takai, a Japanese American, began his first term as the representative of the 1st Congressional District in 2014, after more than 20 years serving in the state legislature. He was a decorated Iraq War veteran, a lieutenant colonel of the Hawaii Army National Guard.
Last year, the Democrat, who served on the Committee on Small Business’s Subcommittee on Contracting and the Workforce, as well the House Committee on Armed Services, announced he would not seek re-election to focus on treatment.
Rep. Judy Chu, head of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, said in a statement that Takai was a “true patriot, public servant, and friend.”
“He was an outstanding colleague who truly embodied the aloha spirit and worked tirelessly to improve the lives of the people of Hawaii and all Americans,” Chu said. “I always enjoyed working with Mark and will never forget his strong commitment to bettering our country.”
Congressman Mark Takai was one of the most hard working, passionate and kind public servants I’ve ever known. Aloha Mark. Rest in peace.
— Brian Schatz (@brianschatz) July 20, 2016
“I’m grateful to have known and worked with Mark for over a decade,” Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, of Hawaii, said in another statement. “Mark’s smiling face and ready laugh will truly be missed, but the impact that he made through his life of service to the people of Hawai’i will always be remembered.”
Takai is survived by his wife and two children.
