Hawaii Trailblazer Colleen Hanabusa Dies at 74; Flags Fly at Half-Staff

Former Hawaii congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa, 74, a trailblazer who was the first woman to serve as Hawaii Senate president, died Thursday. She also led the state Senate and chaired the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation, with two nonconsecutive stints in the U.S. House (2011–2015, 2016–2019). Gov. Josh Green ordered flags at half-staff through Monday in her honor, and colleagues across Hawaii and Congress praised her leadership and public service. Her long career included a near-appointment to the U.S. Senate in 2012, a 2018 gubernatorial bid, and a 2020 bid for Honolulu mayor. She is survived by her husband John Souza.