The difference between Nelson Doi and most current political leaders is that when Doi talked about taking care of his people, he meant the people in his Hawaii island community — not his campaign donors.

Doi, who died last week at 93, was one of the fathers of Hawaii statehood, a power in the Legislature, a circuit judge and a lieutenant governor.

His impact was in the honesty, fire and eloquence he brought to public service, always true to his belief that everybody deserved a fair deal regardless of economic or institutional clout.

After riding the Democratic wave to the state Senate in 1954, Doi fearlessly took on his party’s leaders to fight for his ideal of fair stewardship.

He led the opposition in the Senate to the fast-growth policies of Gov. John A. Burns, waging epic battles with Burns’ legislative ally, Sen. Nadao Yoshinaga.

Like his friend Tom Gill, Doi felt Democrats had lost their idealism from 1954 and become too cozy with development and labor interests.

In 1969, Burns made Doi a judge in Hilo, described by Honolulu Star-Bulletin reporter Jack Bryan as "political shampoo" to get Doi out of his hair.

Doi excelled on the bench with his fairness, keen legal mind and ability to quickly assess a dispute.

His landmark open government ruling against Hawaii County more than 40 years ago still elevates expectations of transparency among Big Islanders.

But politics remained in his blood; when he saw reporters around the courthouse, he’d often summon us to his chambers to offer pointed insights on the political scene.

Doi didn’t care much for Gov. George Ariyoshi, and when I once asked why, he said, "George thinks his (doo-doos) no stink."

Doi announced for lieutenant governor in 1974 on a ticket with Gill, who challenged Ariyoshi in a Democratic primary that also included Honolulu Mayor Frank Fasi and Sen. David McClung.

But he and Gill had a falling out before the primary and Doi became a rebel without a candidate.

Ariyoshi defeated Gill, but Doi beat Ariyoshi’s preferred running mate, Daniel Akaka. Much was made of Hawaii’s first all-AJA ticket, but it was more a political odd couple.

Doi tried to champion interests such as education and prison reform, but he had little role in the administration and became bored and frustrated.

One thing he shared with Ariyoshi was a dislike of Fasi, and Doi was enticed to challenge Fasi for mayor in 1976.

A country boy from rural Hawaii island was a tough sell for big-city mayor and the loss ended his political career.

But he left a legacy simply stated by Jack Hoag, a banker in Hilo during Doi’s heyday: "We have witnessed the passing of one of the few truly principled, straightforward, honest politicians."

Reach David Shapiro at volcanicash@gmail.com or blog.volcanicash.net.