U.S. Rep. Mark Takai of Hawaii dies of pancreatic cancer at 49

Reporting from Washington —  Rep. Mark Takai, a first-term Democrat from Hawaii, died Wednesday after battling cancer, his office announced.

Takai, 49, died at home surrounded by his family. The cause of death was pancreatic cancer, said Rod Tanonaka, Takai’s chief of staff.

Born on Oahu, Takai served in the state House of Representatives for 20 years, starting at age 27, before he was elected to Congress. He served as a lieutenant colonel in the Hawaii Army National Guard for more than a decade. In Congress, he sat on the House Armed Services and Natural Resources committees.

“Mark humbly and effectively served the people of his state House and congressional districts,” Hawaii Gov. David Ige said in a statement. “In the often tumultuous world of politics, he has been a shining example of what it means to be a public servant.”

Takai was first diagnosed with cancer in October and initially expressed optimism that he would recover. But in May he announced he would not seek reelection after he learned the cancer had spread.

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Takai’s passing was mourned among his colleagues in Hawaii and Washington on Wednesday, with politicians recalling his gentle, kind nature.

“All of us were moved when he announced his cancer to Vice President Biden and the members at the House Democrats’ Issues Conference earlier this year,” said Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco), in a statement. “Mark confronted his diagnosis with the spirit we all hope we would share when facing such an awful disease. As we mourn the loss of our friend, we draw fresh resolve to find cures.”

Takai is survived by his wife, Sami, and two young children. “The Takai family thanks the people of Hawaii for their support during this difficult time,” said a release by his office. His family requested privacy.

Ige’s office was researching next steps to determine whether the governor would appoint a replacement or if the Legislature would have to be called into a special session, spokeswoman Jodi Leong said.

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