LIHU‘E — The United States flag and Hawai‘i state flag were directed to be flown at half-staff on Monday in honor of California Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who died last week.
Gov. Josh Green issued the order at the direction of President Joe Biden, who served in the U.S. Senate with Feinstein. The order applies to all state offices and agencies, as well as the Hawai‘i National Guard.
The order will sunset on Thursday, Oct. 5, the day of interment for Feinstein. She died at her residence in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, Sept. 28. Feinstein was 90 years old.
“Dianne Feinstein’s extensive career in the Senate has not only impacted California, but has also resonated across the nation, including here in Hawai‘i,” said Green in a statement.
“Her dedication to public service and her advocacy on important issues have been felt far beyond her home state. My thoughts are with her and her family during this time.”
Feinstein was first elected to the Senate in 1992. She was elected to the Senate about two years after the Democrat narrowly lost the California gubernatorial contest to Republican Pete Wilson.
She later became the first woman to lead the Senate Intelligence Committee. She also served as president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, and was the former mayor of San Francisco.
She became mayor after San Francisco Mayor George Moscone was shot and killed along with Supervisor Harvey Milk at San Francisco City Hall in 1978 by former supervisor Dan White.
“Senator Dianne Feinstein was a pioneering American and a true trailblazer. In San Francisco, she showed enormous poise and courage in the wake of tragedy, and became a powerful voice for American values,” said Biden in a statement.
“In the United States Senate, she turned passion into purpose, and led the fight to ban assault weapons, also making her mark on everything from national security to the environment to protecting civil liberties.
“Senator Feinstein was a role model for so many Americans and she had an immense impact on younger female leaders for whom she generously opened doors. She was a historic figure and our country will benefit from her legacy for generations.”
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Wyatt Haupt Jr., editor, can be reached at 808-245-0457 or whaupt@thegardenisland.com.
