First Republican Congresswoman From Deep Blue State Dead

Former Republican Congresswoman Patricia “Pat” Saiki, a trailblazing Hawaii lawmaker who made history as the first Republican elected to represent the state in the U.S. House following statehood, has died at 96.

Saiki died of natural causes at her Honolulu home on September 30, according to her son, Stuart Saiki.

Her death closes a remarkable chapter in Hawaii politics spanning decades and encompassing service in Congress, the state legislature and the administration of 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.

Politics wasn’t initially her chosen career.

Saiki began as an educator, teaching at several schools before becoming involved in organizing Hawaii’s first teachers’ union.

Her move into elected office came in 1968, when she won a seat in the Hawaii House of Representatives.

She served there for six years before winning election to the state Senate in 1974, where she remained until 1982.

Following an unsuccessful campaign for lieutenant governor, Saiki took over as chairwoman of the Hawaii Republican Party and worked to expand the party’s membership in a state that was already becoming increasingly difficult terrain for Republicans.

Then came the breakthrough that would define her political legacy.

In 1986, Saiki won election to Congress, becoming the first Republican elected to the U.S. House from Hawaii since the islands became a state in 1959.

She was also only the second woman to represent Hawaii in Congress.

Her death prompted tributes from across Hawaii’s political establishment.

Gov. Josh Green ordered American and state flags lowered to half-staff beginning Friday, October 2, through sunrise 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 Saiki, crediting her with breaking political barriers and establishing an example for future generations of public servants.

Saiki’s impact extended far beyond her historic election.

During her two terms in Washington, she 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 became an advocate for environmental protections in Hawaii.

In 1990, Saiki successfully urged President George H.W. Bush to halt the U.S. Navy’s use of Kahoʻolawe as a military bombing range.

Her career in Washington took another turn that same year when she left the House to challenge Democrat Daniel Akaka for a U.S. Senate seat.

Saiki lost the race, but her federal service wasn’t finished.

Bush subsequently appointed her administrator of the Small Business Administration, where she served from 1991 until 1993.

She later taught at Harvard University’s Institute of Politics before returning to Hawaii politics for another statewide campaign.

In 1994, Saiki ran unsuccessfully for governor against Democrat Ben Cayetano.

Although a Republican, Saiki maintained moderate positions on several social issues, including abortion rights, and developed a reputation for working across party lines on legislation affecting Hawaii.

Behind the political milestones was also a mother raising five children.

Her son Stuart remembered Saiki as someone who refused to allow the demands of public office to completely overtake her responsibilities at home.

Even while serving in the legislature, he recalled, she continued helping her children with homework and handling the responsibilities of raising a family.

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.

Saiki’s career ultimately stretched from Hawaii classrooms to the state legislature, from Capitol Hill to a presidential administration.

But her place in Hawaii political history was secured in 1986.

Nearly three decades after Hawaii entered the Union, Patricia Saiki accomplished something no Republican before her had managed in the new state: win election to represent Hawaii in the United States House of Representatives.

She was 96.