Gil Kahele

Gilbert Kahele (May 15, 1942 – January 26, 2016) was an American politician and a Democratic member of the Hawaii Senate since January 16, 2011 representing District 1. Kahele was appointed by Governor Neil Abercrombie to fill the vacancy caused by the appointment of Russell S. Kokubun as Hawaii Commissioner of Agriculture. He died in office on January 26, 2016 after being hospitalized one week prior.

Personal life and death
Gilbert Kahele was born in a grass shack by the sea on May 15, 1942 at Kalihi, just south of the Hawaiian fishing village of Miloliʻi in South Kona.

Born to Peter and Rebecca Kahele, both of Hawaiian descent, Gilbert was the third-born behind brothers Ronald and Peter and would be the older brother to Leighton, Mona, and Corrine.

Kehele attended Hilo High School, played on the Vikings football team and graduated in 1960.

Kahele served in the United States Marine Corps. for four years in the engineering troop responsible for refrigeration.

After the military Kahele graduated with an Associate degree in Science in 1967 from Laney College

Kahele moved back to Hawaiʻi where he began a civil service career that would last 33 years. He got a job with the Federal Government at Naval Station Wahiawa as a refrigeration mechanic. He married United Airlines stewardess Linda Haggberg in October of 1971, and the couple lived in Wahiawa. In 1976, the couple moved to Hilo. They had two children, Kai and Noelani. For the next 25 years Gil drove from Hilo up the Saddle Road to his job at the Pohakuloa Training Area, where he would eventually retire in 2000 as the Director of Public Works.

During the 1980s, Kahele spent a lot of time in Miloliʻi and made a name for himself as a successful community organizer in South Kona.

Governor Neil Abercrombie selected Gil Kahele to represent Senate District Two on Hawaiʻi Island after Senator Russell Kokubun resigned his seat to take a position in Governor Abercrombieʻs cabinet.

Kahele died early January 26, 2016, after a short illness which caused him to miss the 2016 Hawaii State Legislature’s opening day.

Education
Kahele attended Laney College.

Elections

 * 2012 Kahele was unopposed for both the August 11, 2012 Democratic Primary, and the November 6, 2012 General election.