Takai pursued path that more should follow

Just as Hawaii heads into a contentious election season, the untimely passing of U.S. Rep. K. Mark Takai brings into sharper focus the type of candidate worthy of our vote.

Takai was living his dream to represent Hawaii in Congress before pancreatic cancer cut short his calling. He was 49.

In announcing his decision in May that he would not run for re-election, Takai said: “I had envisioned a long career in the U.S. House of Representatives, building up the seniority and influence that were key to Sen. (Daniel) Inouye’s ability to deliver for Hawaii. But as often happens, we find ourselves on a different journey than what we had planned.”

Takai’s journey is one that political novices should study. Veteran office holders could learn from him as well.

Takai’s path was one guided by hard work, devotion to service and fighting the good fight.

He was elected at age 27 to the state House of Representatives. He served Aiea and Pearl City for 20 years and was a fixture at neighborhood meetings and public events — a genuine grassroots politician. He also was a National Guardsman for 17 years and deployed to the Middle East as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2009.

His experience informed his political priorities. Throughout his career, he was a voice for veterans and a strong supporter of public education, especially for his alma mater, the University of Hawaii. After his election to Congress in 2014, Takai advocated maintaining a strong U.S. military presence in Hawaii, and his own presence on the House Committee on Armed Services was a benefit to the state.

He introduced numerous House bills, including the “Compact-Impact Aid Act of 2015” to amend the Compact of Free Association (COFA) of 1985 to provide for adequate aid to states, including Hawaii, that are grappling with the influx of COFA migrants.

Takai also introduced the “Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act of 2015” that would exempt children of Filipino World War II veterans from immigrant visa limits. These were issues important to his constituency, and ones that he took seriously.

His floor speeches at the U.S. House often, if not always, began with, “Aloha, Mr. Speaker.”

U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan, after learning of Takai’s passing, said the freshman congressman’s “love for Hawaii and the people he represented was evident every day.”

News of his death weighed heavily on so many — from family, friends and constituents to elected officials, including President Barack Obama, who said Takai leaves behind “a legacy of courage, of service, and of hope.” The outpouring of sympathy underscored how many lives he touched.

State House Speaker Joseph Souki said: “As much as Mark had accomplished in his full life, there was so much more he wanted to do and would have done — for himself and his family, and for all of us here in Hawaii.”

True words. As a freshman Democrat in a Republican-controlled U.S. House, Takai would have needed several terms, as he said himself, to deliver for Hawaii. As he did in the state House, he was prepared to give his best years in service to his constituents and his state.

Unfortunately, that won’t happen. A special election, to be held in conjunction with the Nov. 8 general election, will determine who will serve out the last two months of his term.

At his January 2015 swearing-in ceremony, Takai said he was humbled by the opportunity to serve in Congress.

“Our state, our country and our world more than ever needs strong leadership, but strong leadership that is tempered with a vision to bring about aloha and unity,” he said.

Those words are just as poignant now as they were then.

Before voters head to the polls or mark their mail-in ballots, we encourage them to think about Takai’s commitment to public service — not just when choosing his replacement, but in deciding each and every race.

Support candidates who are principled and put their constituents’ needs before their own — much like Takai did.