U.S. Rep. Mark Takai, D-Hawaii, has died following a battle with pancreatic cancer, his office announced Wednesday.
“The Takai family thanks the people of Hawaii for their support during this difficult time. Information regarding a service will be available at a later time. The Takai family politely asks for the continued respect of their family’s privacy,” Takai’s office said in a released statement.
The 49-year-old Democrat was serving his first term in Congress, and announced that doctors had detected early signs of pancreatic cancer in October. “My prognosis is very good thanks to early detection and my doctors are confident that I will make a speedy and full recovery,” he said. He added he expected to be absent from legislative duties for a short period and looked forward to returning to office.
In February, Takai announced he was responding well to treatments and said his doctors had cleared him to run for re-election. But in May, the congressman revealed his cancer had spread, and that he would not be running for a second term after.
Lawmakers began releasing statements shortly after the announcement of Takai’s death. Takai “dedicated his life to public service and made a substantial difference in his constituents’ lives, which will be remembered for years to come,” said House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer, D-Md. “I know that he will be sorely missed in the Halls of Congress and among the people of Hawaii.”
House Minority Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said Takai was a “dedicated champion for hard-working families, a proud defender of our nation, and a devoted husband and father.”
Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, said Takai was a “devoted public servant,” and added his “passing is a tremendous loss for all of us who loved him, and for the state of Hawaii.”
The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, a group Takai was a longtime member in, said the congressman “was an outstanding colleague who truly embodied the aloha spirit and worked tirelessly to improve the lives of the people of Hawaii and all Americans.”
Takai was a lieutenant colonel in the Hawaii Army National Guard and served on the House Armed Services and Natural Resources committees.
