REP. TAKAI TO BE DEPLOYED TO KUWAIT
Just as the state legislative session gets underway, Rep. Mark Takai, who represents Aiea and Pearl City has learned that he will be serving for six months in Kuwait with members of the Hawaii Army National Guard’s 29th Brigade Combat Team. Takai will be first Hawaii state legislator to be deployed during a regular session of the Legislature, missing most of the 2009 session. Takai will be activated on February 4, 2009 and will travel to Fort Benning, Georgia on February 6, 2009. About a week later, he is expected to travel to Kuwait. While activated, Takai will rely on Senator David Ige, Rep. Roy Takumi, and Rep. Blake Oshiro to cover some of his legislative duties. This is the second time Rep. Takai has been called to active duty during his 14-year legislative career. From May-November 2005, Takai was called to six months of active duty to serve as the Deputy state surgeon while the National Guard brigade was deployed.  Takai is the civil affairs officer for the Hawaii Army National Guard. He and his wife Sami are parents of two school-aged children.