Mark Takai

Mark Takai
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Hawaii's 1st district
In office
January 3, 2015 – July 20, 2016
Preceded byColleen Hanabusa
Succeeded byColleen Hanabusa
Member of the Hawaii House of Representatives
from the 33rd district
34th (1994–2012)
In office
1994–2014
Preceded byDavid Ige
Succeeded bySam Kong
Personal details
Born
Kyle Mark Takai

(1967-07-01)July 1, 1967
Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
DiedJuly 20, 2016(2016-07-20) (aged 49)
Aiea, Hawaii, U.S.
Resting placeNational Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseSami Takai
Children2
EducationUniversity of Hawaii, Manoa (BA, MPH)
WebsiteOfficial website
Military service
Allegiance United Statesll
Branch/service United States Army
Years of service1999–2016
RankLieutenant Colonel
UnitHawaii Army National Guard
Charlie Company (Medical), 29th Brigade Support Battalion
Battles/warsOperation Iraqi Freedom
Awards Meritorious Service Medal
U.S. Army Distinguished Service Medal
Hawaii Distinguished Service Order

Kyle Mark Takai[1] (July 1, 1967 – July 20, 2016) was an American politician from the state of Hawaii who served in the United States House of Representatives, representing Hawaii's 1st congressional district, from 2015 to 2016. He served in the Hawaii House of Representatives from 1994 to 2014.

A native of Honolulu, Hawaii, Takai last served in the Hawaii Army National Guard as a lieutenant colonel and took part in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2009, concurrent with his political career. He became the Democratic Party nominee for the U.S. House in the 2014 elections, defeating former Congressman Charles Djou to win the seat.

Takai announced in May 2016 that he would not seek reelection due to ill health; he died from cancer two months later.

  1. ^ Langer, Emily (July 20, 2016). "Mark Takai, Hawaii Democrat serving first term in Congress, dies at 49". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 22, 2016.