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Former Hawaii Rep. Colleen Hanabusa Dies at 74

On Thursday, Colleen Hanabusa, former U.S. representative and state Senate president, died at 74 after a private battle with cancer, her family confirmed.
A longtime state and federal lawmaker, Colleen Hanabusa served in the Hawaiʻi State Senate from 1999 to 2010 and became its first female president in 2007 before representing Hawaiʻi in Congress from 2011–2015 and 2016–2019.
As HART chair, Hanabusa resigned last September, citing inability to serve effectively, with a Sept. 23 letter, effective Sept. 30.
Gov. Josh Green ordered flags at half-staff Friday until sunrise Monday, while Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi and U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono praised Hanabusa’s legacy.
Born in Waianae, Oʻahu, Colleen Hanabusa was born May 4, 1951, earned BA, MA and a law degree from the University of Hawaii, and championed Native Hawaiian issues throughout her career.

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Former Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, Hawaii Senate trailblazer, dies at 74

Hanabusa was the first woman to serve as president of the state Senate. She later went on to serve four terms in Congress.

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Former Hawaii Rep. Colleen Hanabusa dies at 74

Former Rep. Colleen Hanabusa (D-Hawaii), the first Asian American woman elected as president of a legislative body, died Friday following a private battle with cancer, according to multiple reports. Hanabusa, 74, was “a veteran lawmaker and attorney from Waianae who fought for local people for three decades as a Congresswoman and state Senate President,” her…

12 hours ago·Washington, United States

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Associated Press News

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Former US Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, Hawaii Senate trailblazer, dies at 74

Former U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, a trailblazing Hawaii lawmaker and the first woman to lead the state Senate, has died at 74.

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Former U.S Rep. Colleen Hanabusa dies at age 74 | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Colleen Hanabusa, a former state lawmaker and prominent labor lawyer from Waianae who served in Congress but failed at bids to become Hawaii’s governor and Honolulu’s mayor, died today, her family confirmed. She was 74.

16 hours ago·Honolulu, United States

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