Sharon Ann Mapuana Pomroy, a candidate to be an Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee representing Kauai and Niihau, died Tuesday after she was taken off life support at a hospital following a heart attack last week.

Pomroy, 63, of Anahola, died at Wilcox Memorial Hospital on Kauai.

Pomroy attended an OHA meet-and-greet event Oct. 17 at the Aston Aloha Beach Hotel, and she suffered two seizures and then a heart attack after speaking to attendees. Family members decided to take her off life support Sunday after they were informed that she had suffered irreparable damage to her heart and brain.

Her brother, Paul, said Pomroy was a strong advocate for Native Hawaiians and Hawaiian culture. She was direct and passionate in everything she did, he said.

"A lot of people who would see her speak for the first time could be taken aback by her candidness," he said.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie appointed Pomroy as a member representing Kauai to the Aha Moku Advisory Committee of the Department of Land and Natural Resources. The committee was established this year to provide advice to the land agency on Hawaiian resources and fostering cultural awareness and benefits of the aha moku system, or the Hawaiian system of natural resource management.

Her brother said Pomroy will be best remembered for advocating for people’s rights. She was a champion for all and a Hawaiian warrior, he said.

Pomroy is also survived by sister Ona­ona Maly, seven nieces and nephews, and 12 grandnieces and grandnephews.

Funeral arrangements are pending.