WAILUKU >> Former state Rep. Herbert J. Honda, who was an advocate of gun control and farming in Hawaii, died Saturday at Maui Memorial Medical Center from injuries sustained in a fall outside his Wailuku Heights home. HERBERT J. HONDA / 1927-2002
Former state representative
enjoyed his work helping
farmers the most
See also: Obituaries
By Gary T. Kubota
gkubota@starbulletin.comHe was 75.
Honda, a Democrat, who was a state House member for 14 years until 1992, served as vice chairman of the Judiciary Committee and chairman of Corrections and Rehabilitation and of the Agriculture Committee.
He was born Sept. 18, 1927, in Kula.
His daughter Robyn Honda said her father was the son of a Kula truck farmer and enjoyed his work helping farmers the most. After leaving elected office, Honda served as a member of the state Board of Agriculture from 1994 to 2000.
"We're going to miss him," said former state Agriculture Director James Nakatani, who regarded Honda as a mentor.
"He really took the time to listen to everybody. You don't see much of that nowadays."
State Agriculture Deputy Director Trish Uyehara said she enjoyed working with Honda, who was knowledgeable about agricultural issues and never raised his voice.
"He was always a kind gentleman," Uyehara said.
Former state Rep. Mark Andrews, a colleague, said Honda was, if not the most, one of the most loved of legislators.
"Herbert was a father figure," he said.
Before he became a legislator, Honda worked as a police officer for 26 years on Maui and rose to the rank of lieutenant in command of the traffic section.
Honda is survived by daughters Patti Matsuda and Robyn, son Todd, brother Randall, sisters Mary Newhouse and Elizabeth Jenkins, and three grandchildren.
Visitation starts at 2 p.m. Thursday at Iao Congregational Church in Wailuku, followed by services at 4:30 p.m. A reception will follow.
