GOVERNOR’S STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF REP. CLIFT TSUJI

News Release from Office of the Governor, November 15, 2016

Representative Clift Tsuji was a quiet man with a big heart who had the courage to stand for his convictions. He was a passionate leader and a vigorous advocate for the Hilo community. His legacy of service will be remembered by his constituents and all Hawaii Island residents. He was a personal friend, and I am going to miss his presence at the State Capitol. Dawn and I send our condolences to his sons, Ryan and Ashley.

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Statement from House Democratic Caucus

Nov 15, 2016

We are very sad to report that Hawaii Rep. Clift Tsuji, 75, passed away at the Queen’s Medical Center on Oahu today.

Tsuji represented House District 2 including Keaukaha, parts of Hilo, Pana‘ewa and Waiākea.

“We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Rep. Tsuji. Clift was a great public servant and a close personal friend,” said House Speaker Joseph Souki. “He loved his family, Hawaii and the communities he represented. He will be greatly missed.”

The family has requested privacy at this time. Services are pending.

Tsuji was born on Jan. 20, 1941 and raised in the Big Island's plantation town of Papaikou. He is a 1959 graduate of Hilo High School and completed his post-secondary degrees at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and the University of Washington, Pacific Coast Banking School.

Rep. Clift Tsuji was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2004 and was chairman of the Agriculture Committee. Among his many awards he was named the Hawaii Farm Bureau’s Legislator of the Year Award in 2015.

Tsuji served in the U.S. Army Reserve, 442nd Infantry, Company B, Hilo, from 1959-1965.

He was also active with the Hilo Medical Center Foundation, Hawaii Island Japanese Community Association, Pacific Tsunami Museum, Hiroshima Kenjin Kai, Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce, and the Kumamoto Kenjin Kai.

Condolences and aloha to his ohana from everyone at the legislature.

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KHON: Who will serve in his stead?

The governor will make an appoint within 60 calendar days of the first day of the vacancy (Nov. 15). The selection will be made from a list of three prospective appointees submitted by the Democratic Party of Hawaii.

Hawaii Revised Statute §17-4 State representatives.

(a) Whenever any vacancy in the membership of the state house of representatives occurs, the governor shall make an appointment within sixty calendar days following the first day of vacancy to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term by selecting a person from a list of three prospective appointees submitted by the same political party as the prior incumbent. The appointee shall be, at the time of appointment, and shall have been, for at least six months immediately prior to the appointment, a member of the political party. The appointee shall, at the time of appointment, be a resident of the same state representative district as the prior incumbent. The political party shall submit the list of prospective appointees to the governor within thirty calendar days following the first day of vacancy.

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Tsutsui: “a strong voice for the people and a staunch advocate for Hawaii’s agriculture community”

HTH: Rep. Clift Tsuji dies

SA: Big Island Rep. Clift Tsuji dies