HONOLULU (March 6, 2026) – On behalf of the Board of Trustees, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs extends its deepest aloha and condolences to the ʻohana, friends, and colleagues of former U.S. Representative and Hawaiʻi Senate President Colleen Hanabusa.
A lifelong public servant from Waiʻanae, Congresswoman Hanabusa dedicated decades to serving the people of Hawaiʻi in both the state legislature and the United States Congress. Throughout her career, she engaged in issues affecting Native Hawaiians and communities across the pae ʻāina, including efforts to advance Native Hawaiian self-determination and recognition.
During her time in the Hawaiʻi State Senate, where she chaired the Senate Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs Committee as well as Senate President, Hanabusa worked on legislation and public policy affecting Native Hawaiian rights and governance. In Congress, she joined Hawaiʻi’s congressional delegation in supporting the Akaka Bill and federal recognition for Native Hawaiians as well as efforts to establish a formal government-to-government relationship for the Native Hawaiian people.
“Colleen Hanabusa understood the unique history and responsibilities that come with representing Hawaiʻi,” said Kaialiʻi Kahele, Chair of the OHA Board of Trustees. “Throughout her years in public service, she engaged with issues important to the Native Hawaiian community and supported efforts aimed at strengthening Native Hawaiian self-determination and protecting programs that serve our people. We recognize her commitment to public service and her connection to the Waiʻanae Coast and communities that are home to many in our lāhui.”
“Often in the Senate, we found ourselves working through difficult issues that mattered deeply to our communities,” said OHA Trustee Brickwood Galuteria, who served alongside Hanabusa in the Hawaiʻi State Senate. “Colleen was a thoughtful leader who understood the responsibility that comes with representing Hawaiʻi and its people. She remained committed to public service and to ensuring that the voices of our communities were heard.”
At this time, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs joins the people of Hawaiʻi in honoring her life and public service. We extend our heartfelt aloha and prayers to her ʻohana and all who mourn her passing.
