John James Hulten was a knowledgeable man "who wanted to be of help in any way he could be," said his wife, Helen. JOHN JAMES HULTEN / 1913-2002
Former Senate president
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always tried to be helpful
By Rosemarie Bernardo
rbernardo@starbulletin.comHulten, former state Senate president, died Sunday at Castle Medical Center. He was 88.
Hulten was born in San Francisco on Nov. 2, 1913. He first started working as a loan officer at the San Francisco Bank. Hulten later worked for the U.S. Public Housing Administration as a tax adviser for the region that covered California, Nevada, Arizona and the Territory of Hawaii. He later became the chief appraiser for the U.S. Veterans Administration in Hawaii, which led him to the islands in 1948.
Hulten represented Windward Oahu as a Democratic senator from 1962 to 1978 while working as a land economist and appraiser.
While in office, Hulten came to be known as "Mr. Interisland Ferry" for advocating a state-owned ferry system. Hulten also supported leasehold conversion for homeowners.
"He was an avid leader," said his daughter, Virginia Klein.
Hulten was active in Roman Catholic Church organizations. In 1955 he was elected president of the Oahu Council of the Holy Name Society. Hulten was also the chairman of the advisory board for the Catholic Social Service.
Hulten is also survived sons John James Jr. and Thomas Anthony, daughter Virginia Klein, brother Clarence Paul Hulten, 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday at St. John Vianney Catholic Church. Services will begin at 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the St. John Vianney Education Foundation.