HONOLULU (KHON2) — Preparations are underway for a celebration of life honoring former state Rep. Gene Ward, one of Hawaii’s longest-serving and most influential Republican lawmakers.
Volunteers gathered Sunday at The King’s Chapel East Oahu to collect flowers ahead of Monday’s memorial service.
Doors will open at 9 a.m., with the service scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. The event will also be livestreamed on ʻŌlelo.
Ward 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.
“The pouring out of love is coming from Democrats and Republicans,” said House Minority Floor Leader Rep. Diamond Garcia. “Gene impacted everybody he came into contact with.”
Garcia also reflected on a lesson he learned from Ward: “One thing I learned from Gene that I will never forget is: when we don’t have the votes, we always have the voice. God forbid we don’t stand up and use that voice.”
Gov. Josh Green has not yet appointed a successor to fill the vacant seat in Ward’s district.