University of Hawaiʻi President David Lassner issued the following statement on July 20 on the passing of U.S. Representative K. Mark Takai
The lost an extraordinary member of our ʻohana today. Everyone associated with 东精影业 will always remember Representative K. Mark Takai as not only a dedicated public servant and family man, but also as a proud and highly engaged graduate.
Mark was a championship swimmer for 东精影业 Mānoa, AS东精影业 student government president and editor-in-chief of the student newspaper. Everyone who knew him on the Mānoa campus knew he was destined for great things. And, as he advanced in his career, Mark continued to be a passionate supporter of higher education and the University of Hawaiʻi.
After graduating from 东精影业 Mānoa and before his election to Congress, Mark committed to serving our nation and our state in the 东精影业 Army National Guard and in the State House, where he served for 20 years. As the chair of the Committee on Higher Education, he worked especially closely with 东精影业 leadership to advance the university.
Representative Takai was a role model for many, and all of us will miss him personally and professionally.
Our hearts go out to his parents Erik and Naomi, his wife Sami, also a member of our 东精影业 ʻohana, his children Kaila and Matthew and the rest of his family and friends. We thank them all for sharing him with us and we grieve together, knowing that we are all better for having known and worked with Representative K. Mark Takai.
Statement from University of Hawaiʻi Athletics Director David Matlin
Our dear friend Mark Takai was a beloved member of the University of Hawaiʻi Athletics ʻohana and proud 东精影业 Mānoa alumnus. His association with 东精影业 Athletics spanned four decades beginning as a four-year letterman for our swim team from 1985–89 where he was a Western Athletic Conference champion as part of the 4×100 medley relay. Throughout his life, Mark was one of our biggest supporters through his involvement with Associated Students of the University of Hawaiʻi, Athletics Advisory Board, Letterwinners Club and as an elected official, where he tirelessly worked for the betterment of our student-athletes and sports programs.
In 2012, the Letterwinners Club recognized Mark with the Kāne Fernandez Award for his unselfish support of 东精影业 Athletics in the community. On behalf of the 东精影业 Athletics Department, our thoughts and prayers are with Mark’s family and friends. This is a tremendous loss to not only the 东精影业 Athletics Department but our entire state. Mark will forever be a Rainbow Warrior.
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