OHA leader grateful for help after suffering stroke at Legislature

Office of Hawaiian Affairs Chairwoman Colette Machado said Sunday she is expected to make a full recovery from a stroke.

"Mahalo to everyone for their thoughts and prayers," Machado said in an OHA news release Sunday, adding, "I feel great."

Machado had a stroke Friday after testifying at the Legislature during a hearing on same-sex marriage, which she opposes.

Machado expressed gratitude to family and friends who helped her and called 911, and for the prayers from her church family.

Dr. Cherylee Chang, director of the Stroke Center and Neuroscience Institute at the Queen’s Medical Center, said Machado could be released from the hospital as early as Tuesday, the OHA release said.

Chang said immediate treatment can minimize the long-term effects of a stroke.