Former US Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, Hawaii Senate Trailblazer, Dies at 74

Hanabusa was the first woman to serve as president of the Hawaii State Senate and spent decades advocating for her community.

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

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Former U.S. Representative Colleen Hanabusa, a trailblazer who was the first woman to serve as president of the Hawaii State Senate, has died at the age of 74 after a five-month battle with cancer. Hanabusa represented the Waianae Coast and Leeward Oahu as a state senator from 1999 to 2010 and later served in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Why it matters

Hanabusa's passing marks the end of an era in Hawaii politics, as she was a pioneering female leader who broke barriers and spent decades advocating for her community. Her death is a significant loss for the state, as she was widely respected and admired for her strength, determination, and commitment to public service.

The details

Hanabusa, a lawyer by training, grew up in Waianae on the west side of Oahu, where her family ran an auto service station. She served in the Hawaii State Senate from 1999 to 2010, becoming the first woman to be elected president of the state Senate. Hanabusa later served in the U.S. House of Representatives, and in 2012 was considered for the Senate seat left vacant by the death of Daniel Inouye, but was ultimately not appointed. She later ran for the Senate seat but lost a close election to Brian Schatz. Hanabusa returned to the House in 2016 but gave up her seat to run for governor in 2018, losing in the Democratic primary to David Ige.

  • Hanabusa served in the Hawaii State Senate from 1999 to 2010.
  • Hanabusa was considered for the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by Daniel Inouye's death in 2012.
  • Hanabusa ran for the U.S. Senate in 2014 but lost to Brian Schatz.
  • Hanabusa returned to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2016.
  • Hanabusa ran for governor of Hawaii in 2018 but lost in the Democratic primary.

The players

Colleen Hanabusa

Former U.S. Representative from Hawaii who was the first woman to serve as president of the Hawaii State Senate.

Daniel Inouye

U.S. Senator from Hawaii who died in 2012.

Neil Abercrombie

Former Governor of Hawaii who appointed Brian Schatz to fill Inouye's Senate seat in 2012.

Brian Schatz

U.S. Senator from Hawaii who was appointed to fill Inouye's Senate seat in 2012 and later won election to the seat.

David Ige

Former Governor of Hawaii who defeated Hanabusa in the 2018 Democratic primary.

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What they’re saying

“Brian was not elected. He was appointed. And I don't think the people have really had an opportunity to weigh in on who they want to represent them in the United States Senate.”

— Colleen Hanabusa

“I just didn't expect the rest of the nation to vote as resoundingly as they did. It's just a statement about how they feel. And when you think about the things that he said and he stood for, it's got to give everyone cause to just pause and think about, 'What are we saying to the world, what are we saying to each other?'”

— Colleen Hanabusa

The takeaway

Colleen Hanabusa's passing marks the end of an era in Hawaii politics, as she was a pioneering female leader who broke barriers and spent decades advocating for her community. Her legacy of leadership and public service will continue to inspire generations to come.