HONOLULU (KHON2) — A memorial was held Monday morning to honor Rep. Gene Ward, one of Hawaiiʻs longest serving lawmakers.
Loved ones and lawmakers packed The Kingʻs Chapel in Niu Valley to remember Ward, who died one month ago at the age of 82, just days after resigning from the state House of Representatives.
He served for decades and was widely respected across party lines.
Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke said, though they argued fiercely on the house floor they were still friends outside of the capitol.
“He would stand up, make an argument and that would make me want to stand up, make an argument against him and we would be fighting the whole time. Then afterwards he would come up to me and go ʻokay, remember now, Kaiser High School needs that gym,ʻ” Lt. Gov. Luke told those gathered.
Governor Green has yet to name Wardʻs replacement.