State Rep. Gene Ward, the longest-tenured Republican currently active in the Hawaii State Legislature, will retire at the end of the current session due to unspecified ongoing health concerns.

What You Need To Know

  • Ward entered politics as a representative for House District 16 from 1990 to 1998
  • After an unsuccessful bid for U.S. House of Representatives District 1 seat in 1998, Ward returned to the state House in 2006, representing District 17 until 2022 and District 18 thereafter
  • House minority leader Lauren Cheape Matsumoto: “He always said, 'We don’t have the votes, but we have the voice.' And he made himself heard almost every single day he was here”
  • Rep. Ward’s resignation becomes official on March 31

 

“It has been the utmost privilege to serve the people of Hawaii Kai, Kalama Valley, and Portlock,” Ward said in a release to his district. “The ‘People’s Office’ will continue to be open for business as the mouthpiece to express community concerns in the Hawaii State Legislature. Although I will not be asking for your vote again, I only kindly request that my privacy and my family’s privacy is respected.”

A Vietnam veteran and former Peace Corps country director for East Timor, Ward entered politics as a representative for House District 16 from 1990 to 1998.

After an unsuccessful bid for U.S. House of Representatives District 1 seat in 1998, Ward returned to the state House in 2006, representing District 17 until 2022 and District 18 thereafter.

“The House extends its gratitude to Representative Gene Ward for his dedicated service to the Hawaii State Legislature,” said House Speaker Nadine Nakamura. “Throughout his tenure, Gene served as a passionate representative for his district, and a strong voice for his East Honolulu constituents.”

House minority leader Lauren Cheape Matsumoto said it was an honor to have worked alongside Ward.

“We spent more than a decade together here,” she said. “Gene was always up for the good fight and would go the extra mile for any issue he felt strongly about. Honestly, he’s been such a fixture here that this session hasn’t been the same without him.

“He always said, “We don’t have the votes, but we have the voice. And he made himself heard almost every single day he was here,” she continued. “We wish him all the best going forward.”

Former legislative colleague Gov. Josh Green wished Ward well in his recovery from his health issues.

“Gene has always been a fighter, and I know he will approach this chapter with the same strength and determination he has shown throughout his career," Green said. "Jaime and I join those whose lives he has touched in keeping Gene and his family in our thoughts. We are grateful for his service and know he has certainly earned this time to focus on his well-being."

Rep. Ward’s resignation becomes official on March 31.

Michael Tsai covers local and state politics for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at michael.tsai@charter.com.