AIEA, OAHU — U.S. Rep. Mark Takai has passed away. He was 49-years-old.
According to Hawaii News Now, Takai died following a ‘months-long battle with pancreatic cancer.’
Takai’s office released a statement: “The Takai family thanks the people of Hawaii for their support during this difficult time. Information regarding a service will be available at a later time. The Takai family politely asks for the continued respect of their family’s privacy.”
He was a congressman of the United States House of Representatives, representing Hawaii’s 1st congressional district, as a Democrat. He previously served in the Hawaii House of Representatives, from 1994 until 2014.
Takai was from Aiea, Hawaii. He served in the Hawaii Army National Guard as a Lieutenant Colonel and took part in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2009.
Takai became the Democratic Party nominee for the U.S. House of Representatives in the 2014 elections. He defeated former Congressman Charles Djou to win the seat. Takai died of pancreatic cancer in July 2016, and did not seek reelection because of his fight against the disease.
