Colleen Hanabusa

Below is a comprehensive, SEO-optimized biography of Colleen Hanabusa, covering her life, career, influence, and lessons.

Colleen Hanabusa – Life, Career, and Leadership

Colleen Hanabusa (born May 4, 1951) is an American lawyer and Democratic politician from Hawaii. This article explores her early life, legislative service, terms in the U.S. House, gubernatorial and mayoral bids, and her enduring influence in Hawai‘i politics.

Introduction: Who Is Colleen Hanabusa?

Colleen Wakako Hanabusa (born May 4, 1951) is an American attorney and Democratic politician from Hawaii. She served as U.S. Representative for Hawaii’s 1st Congressional District from 2011 to 2015, and again from 2016 to 2019. Before her tenure in Congress, Hanabusa had a long and influential career in the Hawaii State Senate, including service as Senate President, becoming the first woman to hold that post in Hawaii.

Her political journey also includes campaigns for U.S. Senate, Governor of Hawaii, and Mayor of Honolulu, making her one of the more prominent figures in Hawai‘i’s modern political landscape.

Early Life, Family & Education

Family and Upbringing

• Colleen Hanabusa was born in Waianae, in what was then the Territory of Hawaii, on May 4, 1951, to parents Isao and June Hanabusa, who operated a gas station in Waianae.

• She is a fourth-generation American of Japanese descent (Yonsei).

• Her maternal grandfather (and by extension her maternal lineage) had a Buddhist background, and her family history includes experiences tied to Japanese American communities in Hawai‘i.

• During World War II, her maternal grandfather was interned in the Honouliuli Internment Camp on O‘ahu.

Education

• Hanabusa graduated from St. Andrew’s Priory School in Honolulu in 1969.

• She attended the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, earning:

  • A B.A. in Economics & Sociology in 1973

  • An M.A. in Sociology in 1975

• She then obtained her J.D. (law degree) in 1977 from the William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawaiʻi.

These academic credentials formed the foundation for her legal and political career.

Legal Career & Early Political Involvement

• After law school, Hanabusa practiced as a labor lawyer and was involved in private legal practice.

• Over time, she gained recognition in Hawai‘i’s legal community. For example, Honolulu Magazine has repeatedly cited her among Hawai‘i’s top attorneys, and she was included in The Best Lawyers in America.

• Her legal career ran in parallel with her growing interest in public service and community issues in her home district.

State Legislature: Service in the Hawai‘i State Senate

Election & Legislative Work

• In November 1998, Hanabusa was elected to the Hawai‘i State Senate, representing Senate District 21, covering areas such as Wai‘anae, Nanakuli, Makaha, and adjacent communities.

• While in the Senate, she served in leadership roles, including Senate Majority Leader and later Senate President.

• In 2007, she became the first woman to serve as President of the Hawai‘i Senate, a historic milestone.

• During her time in the state legislature, she was active in various committees and sponsored legislation on topics such as education, land use, transportation, and community development.

Controversies & Development Projects

• One of the more controversial episodes during her state service involved tax credits for development in Ko Olina (a resort area on O‘ahu). She led advocacy for $75 million in tax credits to spur development, which critics argued might favor close associates or developers.

• After Governor Ben Cayetano vetoed the tax credit measure, Hanabusa took the unusual step of suing the governor to overturn the veto.

• That development later became controversial when her then-fiancé (and later husband) John F. Souza III was involved in a transaction benefits connected to the same development area. This raised questions about potential conflict of interest or perceived favoritism.

• Over time, public scrutiny of these connections has been part of her political narrative in Hawai‘i.

Her state legislative period gave her experience in navigating policy, constituent needs, and political alliances.

U.S. House of Representatives: National Leadership & Campaigns

First Tenure (2011–2015)

• In 2010, Hanabusa ran for the U.S. House in Hawaii’s 1st District. In a May 2010 special election, she lost narrowly to Republican Charles Djou in a three-person split vote, but later that year, she defeated him in the general election for a full term.

• She was sworn in to the 112th U.S. Congress on January 3, 2011, and re-elected in 2012.

• In Congress, she served on the Armed Services Committee and the Natural Resources Committee, among others.

• During this period, she sponsored legislation on issues including support for Pacific Island nations under the Compact of Free Association (COFA), veteran benefits (especially for Filipino WWII veterans), and other regional priorities.

Senate Bid and Return to House

• In 2014, following the death of longtime Senator Daniel Inouye, Hanabusa sought to be appointed to his seat. Inouye had nominated her as his preference. However, Governor Neil Abercrombie appointed Lieutenant Governor Brian Schatz instead, leading to a bitter primary contest.

• Hanabusa challenged Schatz in the 2014 Senate Democratic primary but was narrowly defeated.

• After leaving the House in January 2015, she returned to private practice and took public service roles in Hawai‘i, such as serving on the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) board, which oversees rail transit in Honolulu. She eventually became the board chair.

Second Tenure (2016–2019)

• In 2016, following the death of Representative Mark Takai, Hanabusa ran in a special election to fill the remainder of his term, as well as for the new full term. She won both, returning to Congress in November 2016.

• She served until January 3, 2019.

• During her second tenure, she continued to advance issues relevant to Hawai‘i and the Pacific region, including infrastructure, veterans’ rights, and environmental concerns.

Gubernatorial & Mayoral Bids

• In 2018, rather than running for re-election to the House, Hanabusa entered the Democratic primary for Governor of Hawaii, challenging incumbent David Ige. She lost, 50% to 43% approximately.

• In 2020, she ran for Mayor of Honolulu. She placed third in the nonpartisan blanket primary and then endorsed Rick Blangiardi, who went on to win.

• After her congressional service, Hanabusa continued involvement in public institutions, especially in Hawai‘i’s transportation infrastructure via HART. In July 2021, she was re-elected to the HART board and again served as chair until her resignation in September 2025.

Legacy & Influence

Colleen Hanabusa’s political trajectory embodies several key elements of modern Hawaii politics:

• Trailblazer in Hawai‘i government: As the first woman to preside over the Hawai‘i Senate, she broke gender and racial barriers.

• Bridge between local and federal concerns: Her career shows how state leaders can transition to national roles while maintaining strong local ties.

• Advocate for Pacific & minority communities: Hanabusa has consistently worked on behalf of Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and Asian American issues, including veteran benefits for Filipino WWII veterans and advocacy for Compact of Free Association beneficiaries.

• Institutional leadership: Her roles in transportation governance (HART) illustrate engagement beyond electoral positions, contributing to infrastructure that shapes daily life.

• Political resilience: Despite electoral setbacks (e.g. her Senate and gubernatorial campaigns), she has maintained influence and remained a respected figure in Hawai‘i’s Democratic circles.

Her combination of legal acumen, legislative experience, and public infrastructure stewardship continues to make her a relevant voice in Hawai‘i politics.

Personality, Strengths & Challenges

• Colleen Hanabusa is often described as determined, pragmatic, and policy-oriented, with a reputation for understanding the complexities of governance and constituent needs.

• Her strengths include strong connections to her community (especially in the leeward side of O‘ahu), institutional knowledge, and persistence in returning to public office.

• Among challenges she’s faced:

  • Criticism over potential conflicts in development legislation (e.g. Ko Olina tax credits) and the appearance of intersecting personal and political interests.

  • Electoral losses in high-stakes primaries (for U.S. Senate, for Governor) that reflect the competitive dynamics within Hawai‘i’s Democratic Party.

  • Managing transitions between public office and non-elected roles while maintaining relevance.

Nevertheless, her capacity to navigate setbacks and return to leadership roles underscores her resilience.

Selected Quotes & Perspectives

Colleen Hanabusa is more known for her actions than for aphoristic quotes, but a few statements and observations reflect her perspectives:

• On her community roots and identity: “A fourth-generation Hawai‘i native, I have deep connections to west O‘ahu and the people of Wai‘anae” (paraphrase drawn from biographical statements)

• During her 2018 gubernatorial campaign and public statements, she emphasized responsibility in leadership and the need to address crises (e.g. natural disasters, infrastructure) — though I did not locate a highly cited singular quotation in public sources for this summary.

• Her decision to endorse candidate Rick Blangiardi in the 2020 mayoral race reflected a pragmatic alliance: “I believe the choice will give Honolulu the best chance moving forward” (paraphrase from news coverage).

Lessons from Colleen Hanabusa’s Career

1. Local roots matter
   Deep connection to community (Waianae, leeward O‘ahu) provided Hanabusa a durable base for political longevity.

2. Institutional knowledge is a strength
   Her experience in the state legislature and governance infrastructure gave her credibility when serving at the federal level.

3. Policy focus helps bridge public perception
   By centering advocacy (e.g. veterans, infrastructure), she has shown how substantive issues can sustain political currency beyond personality.

4. Resilience is essential
   Electoral defeat does not need to end influence — Hanabusa’s returns to public roles and continued engagement exemplify that.

5. Non-elected leadership is meaningful
   Her stewardship roles (like in HART) demonstrate that impact does not only come from elected office.

Conclusion

Colleen Hanabusa’s life and work reveal a portrait of a dedicated public servant who has navigated the overlapping circles of law, state politics, federal representation, and public infrastructure. From the rural margins of O‘ahu to the halls of the U.S. Congress, her story is one of ambition tempered by community allegiance, successes blended with setbacks, and a steady focus on service.