Big Isle Sen. Gil Kahele, 73, dies
STAR-ADVERTISER
Gil Kahele
State Sen. Gil Kahele, 73, has died, according to his colleagues in the Legislature.
Senate President Ron Kouchi interrupted a hearing on campaign spending bills this morning to inform fellow senators who paused for a moment of silence.
Kahele was hospitalized last week for undisclosed health issues, missing the opening day of the 2016 Legislature Wednesday.
Kahele was born in the fishing village of Milolii in South Kona before moving to Hilo, according to information on the Legislature’s website. He graduated from Hilo High School, served in the U.S. Marine Corps and graduated from Laney College in Oakland, Calif.
He worked for the Hawaii State Department of Defense for 33 years, rising to director of public works at the Pohakuloa Training Area.
In 2011, former Gov. Neil Abercrombie appointed Kahele as senator for the district encompassing Hilo, Puna and Kau on Hawaii island. He was later elected in 2012 to represent the community of Hilo, as a result of reapportionment.
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Kahele served as chairman of the Senate Committee on Tourism and International Affairs.
12 responses to “Big Isle Sen. Gil Kahele, 73, dies”
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What a shock. Rest in peace, Senator.
Such a nice man and a great Senator. He will be missed. Aloha Ke Akua
Great and very kind man, He represented the best of the Hawaiian community. God bless his soul.
Thank you for serving the community, Sir. Rest In Peace.
I am so sad to hear this news.
I did not know him directly but he kindly responded to my letters to him on legislative matters. A great heart and soul shone through in his responses. I am certainly he will be sorely missed by many.
Sending sincere condolences to his family and friends.
He must have been a nice guy for he has that certain charisma in his smile, really kind.
I did not know him but he is known as a uniter in our community, not a divider. Dividers are a dime a dozen. He will be sorely missed.
Sorry to hear about his passing. Sen.Kahele always took the time to answer phone calls and letters. Condolences to his ohana.
change keeps happening. RIP son of Milolii.
A truly tremendous loss for Hilo, Hawaii Island and the State of Hawaii. He will be truly missed. As a Hilo resident I had the privilege of meeting Senator Kahele on many occasions. He was one of the “good guys” as a politician, always approachable, always polite and always Hawaiian. I will miss seeing him around Hilo. Mahalo nui loa to the good Senator for his service to the country he loved as a Marine. May you now rest in peace. Semper Fidelis.
A good man who will be missed.
Rest in Peace Senator,
Marilyn Lee