Kauai Mayor Kawakami Mourns Passing of Former Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa

Kaua‘i Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami publicly mourned the passing of former U.S. Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa, praising her long record of public service and extending condolences to her husband, John, and her loved ones. Kawakami’s office issued the statement March 6, 2026, drawing attention to Hanabusa’s impact across Hawai‘i politics and community life.

Kawakami said in a statement, via Spectrumlocalnews, “Former Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa dedicated her life to serving the people of Hawaii with strength, conviction and an unwavering commitment to her community. From her leadership in the Hawaii State Senate to her time representing Hawaii in the United States Congress, she carried with her a deep love for our islands and a determination to stand up for the people she served. She broke barriers as the first woman to serve as President of the Hawaii Senate and leaves behind a legacy of leadership that helped shape the future of our state. On behalf of the people of the County of Kauai and the Office of the Mayor, we extend our heartfelt condolences to her husband, John, her loved ones, and all who knew and admired her. [...] Congresswoman Hanabusa’s dedication to public service and her love for Hawaii will be remembered for generations, and we are grateful for the many ways she contributed to the strength and resilience of our islands.”

Additional lines attributed to Kawakami in Hawaiinewsnow emphasized the personal impression Hanabusa left on colleagues: “Her work and dedication to public service have left a lasting impact on me and on our state. Politics can be unpredictable, but some people leave a legacy that endures beyond any election or office. Colleen Hanabusa was one of those people.” He added, “My thoughts and prayers are with her family, her loved ones, and everyone in Hawaiʻi who is mourning her loss. May she rest in aloha.”

Hanabusa’s career roles are cited across statements from state and local leaders: she served in the Hawai‘i State Senate, became the first woman to serve as president of the Hawaii State Senate, and later represented Hawai‘i in the United States Congress. Lt. Governor Sylvia Luke noted she “made history in 2007 as the first woman to serve as president of the Hawaii State Senate,” and reporting in Hawaiinewsnow and Thegardenisland records Hanabusa’s tenure as chair of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation, a position for which Mayor Rick Blangiardi said he appointed her and in which she “played a crucial role in the Honolulu Skyline project.”

Reaction from statewide officials echoed Kawakami’s praise. U.S. Senator Brian Schatz said, “Colleen Hanabusa brought toughness, integrity and deep aloha for Hawai‘i to everything she did. I was fortunate to see that firsthand when we served together in Congress. As the first woman to serve as president of the state Senate, she broke barriers and inspired a generation of local leaders. Her impact on our state, and her love for her Wai‘anae roots and for Hawai‘i will endure. I extend my deepest aloha to her ‘ohana and to all who had the pleasure to know and work with her.” Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said, “Hawaii has lost a remarkable leader, and we all have lost a friend. Managing Director Mike Formby and I had a close relationship with Colleen, and she dedicated her life to serving the people of Hawaii with intelligence, determination, and an unwavering sense of purpose.” Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda and Lt. Governor Sylvia Luke also issued condolences, and Kauainownews quoted a speaker identified only as “Green,” who said, “Jaime and I extend our deepest aloha and sympathy to the Hanabusa ʻohana and to all who loved Colleen.”

Kawakami’s March 6 statement framed Hanabusa’s career as one that “helped shape the future of our state,” and officials from Oʻahu to the neighbor islands joined Kaua‘i leaders in noting her legacy and ties to the Wai‘anae Coast. Follow-up confirmations from the mayor’s office and other officials are pending for full texts of the releases and for details about memorial arrangements.