Flags at half-staff for former state Senate president Wong

Gov. David Ige ordered the U.S. and Hawaii state flags to be flown at half-staff at all state offices and agencies, as well as the Hawaii National Guard, from sunrise to sunset today.

The order is in respect of the late state Senate President Richard “Dickie” Wong, who died May 20 at the age of 88.

Wong served in the state House of Representatives for eight years before being elected to the Senate in 1974. He became Senate President in 1979, a position he held longer than any Hawaii state senator.

Wong retired from public service in 1992 and was appointed chairman of the Bishop Estate’s Board of Trustees, where he served until his resignation in 1999.

Wong is survived by his six children, as well as grandchildren, great-grandchildren and extended family.