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Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board Chairwoman Colette Machado is in an Oahu hospital in stable condition after collapsing Friday night at the state Capitol.
State Rep. Karl Rhoads, House Judiciary chairman, announced Saturday morning before the resumption of a committee hearing on Senate Bill 1, the same-sex marriage bill, that Machado suffered a stroke Friday night and was taken to the Queen’s Medical Center.
"After the hearing last night, Trustee Colette Machado had a stroke," Rhoads said. "So I hope that all of you will keep her in your thoughts and prayers as we go forward today."
Machado had testified before the House Judiciary Committee and the House Finance Committee in opposition to gay marriage during the hearing late Friday.
No other details are being released because her family is requesting privacy, OHA spokesman Garett Kamemoto said.
Kamemoto said he could not confirm details provided by Rhoads.
Machado, 63, in a personal capacity, has been a vocal opponent of the same-sex marriage bill.
OHA released a statement Monday saying that it has not taken any position on same-sex marriage or funded any campaign or advertisements forwarding a particular viewpoint on the issue.
"(A)ny OHA official who has conveyed a position on same-sex marriage has done so in his or her personal capacity independently of OHA," the statement said.
The Molokai-born Machado is also a deaconess with the Ka Hale Hoano O Ke Akua Church, her website shows.
Machado has served as OHA chairwoman since December 2010, and has served on the board since 1996.
Machado received her bachelor’s degree in education at the University of Hawaii in 1974, according to her website.
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