FORD ISLAND, HAWAII -- The name of the Pacific Warfighting Center was updated during a re-dedication ceremony to the newly-titled K. Mark Takai Pacific Warfighting Center Wednesday May 31.

The name change honors the late Congressman K. Mark Takai for his service and support for the country, state of Hawaii, and U.S. Armed Forces.

“Representative Takai was a man of tremendous character who served our nation in Congress and in uniform,” said Adm. Harry Harris, Commander of U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM). “As a principled leader, he was a powerful and respected voice for the Pacific-based military community.”

Takai was elected to the Hawaii State House of Representatives in 1994 and served until 2014 when he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Hawaii’s first congressional district. During his time as a state representative, Takai also served in the Hawaii Army National Guard earning to the rank of Lt. Col. in 2013.

“Among numerous awards, Lieutenant Colonel Takai received the Army Meritorious Service Medal, the Distinguished Service Medal from the National Guard Association of the United States, and the Hawaii Distinguished Service Order,” said Harris.

The K. Mark Takai Pacific Warfighting Center is a 34,000 square-foot facility used to provide PACOM with joint and combined training, simulations, mission rehearsals, conferences, worldwide collaboration, and war-game events. The center not only assists in military operations, but aids government agencies in humanitarian and disaster relief efforts.

“This facility makes us better warfighters, and it honors the warrior and warfighter that Congressman Takai was,” said Harris. “Our military women and men who walk these halls will know Congressman Takai’s name, they will know his story, and they will continue in his footsteps as warrior servants.”

In October of 2015, a tumor was discovered on Takai’s pancreas. He underwent surgery, but in May of 2016 he announced the cancer had spread. Takai passed away two months later at his home in Aiea, Hawaii. Although Takai is no longer physically here, the dedication of the center helps his family know that his name and legacy will live on.

“Though the naming of the center can’t take away the pain of losing Mark—it helps us feel that he will never be forgotten, and a piece of our hearts will always be here,” said Mrs. Sami Takai, spouse of the late Congressman Mark Takai. “So we humbly thank you on behalf of the family for letting him live on, for remembering him, and honoring his service to the military, to the state, and to the nation. He truly enjoyed serving the people and we thank you with a big aloha and mahalo.”