Pat Saiki, one of the most successful Republicans in Hawaii history, is going to lead the state Republican Party.

She’s taking over as chairwoman for David Chang. Chang had led the state party since 2011.

Saiki said Thursday her goals for the party are to get back to basics. She says that means recruiting good candidates and winning elections.

As simple as those steps sound, they have eluded Hawaii’s Republicans through most of the state’s history. Saiki was an exception. She served six years in the state House and eight years in the state Senate. She was elected to Congress in 1986 and served two terms there.

Chang said he is resigning to focus on his duties as an officer in the Army National Guard and to spend time with family.