Hanabusa in the House

Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, accompanied by her husband, John Souza, is sworn in by House Speaker Paul Ryan.

WASHINGTON — Unlike other winners of the Nov. 8 elections, Rep. Colleen Hanabusa (D-Hawaii) has already taken office.

She was sworn in by House Speaker Paul Ryan on Monday on the floor of the House of Representatives.

Hanabusa won two elections — one to serve the remaining term of Rep. Mark Takai, who died in July, and the other to serve a full two-year term representing urban Honolulu.

Previously president of the Hawaii State Senate, Hanabusa served two terms in the House, from January 2011 to January 2015. She unsuccessfully challenged Sen. Brian Schatz in 2014.

“My return to the U.S. House of Representatives is bittersweet following the unfortunate and untimely passing of my dear friend, Mark Takai,” Hanabusa said in a statement. “I am, however, humbled that the voters of Hawaii’s 1st Congressional District have put their trust and faith in me to continue to fight for their values and best interests in our nation’s capital. I commit to do my very best and want to extend a heartfelt mahalo to my constituents for their overwhelming support in the special and general elections.”

Two other members of Hawaii’s congressional delegation, Schatz and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, were re-elected. Sen. Mazie Hirono will be up for re-election in 2018.