Former Republican Congresswoman Patricia “Pat” Saiki, who made history as the first Republican elected to represent Hawaii in the U.S. House of Representatives following statehood, died Wednesday at the age of 96.
Saiki passed away from natural causes at her Honolulu home on September 30, according to her son, Stuart Saiki. Her death marks the passing of a prominent figure in Hawaii politics whose career spanned decades and included service in Congress, the state legislature and the administration of former President George H.W. Bush.
Born Patricia Fukuda in Hilo on May 28, 1930, Saiki graduated from Hilo High School before earning her degree from the University of Hawaii in 1952. She initially pursued a career in education, teaching at several schools before becoming involved in organizing Hawaii’s first teachers’ union.
Her political career began in 1968 when she won election to the Hawaii House of Representatives. She served six years before moving to the state Senate in 1974, where she remained until 1982. After an unsuccessful campaign for lieutenant governor, Saiki became chairwoman of the Hawaii Republican Party and helped expand its membership.
Saiki achieved her most significant electoral milestone in 1986 when she won a seat in Congress, becoming the first Republican elected to the U.S. House from Hawaii since the state joined the Union in 1959. She was also the second woman to represent Hawaii in Congress.
Following her death, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green ordered American and state flags lowered to half-staff beginning Friday, October 2, through sunrise on Monday, October 5. “Pat Saiki’s six decades of public service and her pioneering example for young women and Asian Americans in Hawaiʻi and across the U.S., combine to form both a lasting, inspiring legacy and a high bar for all of us who serve the public,” Green said in a statement.
Democratic Rep. Ed Case, who represents Hawaii’s 1st Congressional District, also paid tribute to his predecessor, crediting her with breaking barriers and establishing an example for future generations of public servants.
During her two terms in Washington, Saiki helped secure Republican support for legislation authorizing an official apology and financial compensation for Japanese Americans incarcerated by the federal government during World War II.
She also advocated for environmental protections in Hawaii and successfully urged President George H.W. Bush to halt the U.S. Navy’s use of Kahoʻolawe as a military bombing range in 1990.
Saiki left Congress after an unsuccessful U.S. Senate campaign against Democrat Daniel Akaka in 1990. Bush subsequently appointed her administrator of the Small Business Administration, a position she held from 1991 until 1993. She later taught at Harvard University’s Institute of Politics and made another unsuccessful statewide bid in 1994, running for governor against Democrat Ben Cayetano.
Despite her Republican affiliation, Saiki held moderate positions on several social issues, including abortion rights, and developed a reputation for working with Democrats on legislation affecting her home state.
Saiki’s son Stuart remembered his mother as someone who balanced the demands of political office with raising five children. He recalled that she continued helping with homework and fulfilling her responsibilities at home even while serving in the legislature.
Saiki was preceded in death by her husband, Stanley, and their eldest son, Stanley Jr. She is survived by four children, Stuart, Sandra, Margaret and Laurie, as well as her grandchildren.
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[ H/T Trending Politics ]
