MEDIA RELEASE

Announcer Bob Herkes mans the mic at the Hawaii International Billfish Tournament. (Hawaii 24/7 file photo by Karin Stanton)

HONOLULU – As a mark of respect for the late former state legislator Robert “Bob” Herkes, Gov. Neil Abercrombie has ordered that the flags of the United States and State of Hawaii shall be flown at half-staff at all state offices and agencies, as well as the Hawaii National Guard, from sunrise to sunset on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014, the day of his memorial service. He died Aug. 21 at the age of 83.

Herkes served on the Hawaii County Council from 1984 to 1987, when he was appointed by Gov. John Waihee to fill a Hawaii Island state Senate seat vacated by Richard Henderson. He then went on to serve in the state House from 1992 to 2000 and 2002 to 2012 as the representative for primarily the Puna and Kona districts.

Upon hearing of his passing, Gov. Abercrombie stated:

“A former state representative, state senator, Hawaii County Council member and local businessman, Bob had a solid record of getting things done for the people of Hawaii. His long career in public service brought about countless benefits for Hawaii Island, including his integral role in incorporating the appropriation for the first FEMA-certified shelter in Kau, providing a drinking water system for Ocean View, and establishing a mobile medical van to bring basic medical services to rural areas.

“His fierce dedication to the people of the Big Island and our entire state will be remembered. Our thoughts and aloha are with his wife, Jo-Anna; sons, Bob, Ken and Doug; and the rest of the Herkes ohana.”