Ron Menor, a longtime Hawaii politician who brought decades of “passionate service” to elected seats in the Legislature and Honolulu City Council, has died. He was 67.

Gov. Josh Green announced the news Tuesday evening, saying that Menor died a day earlier following an “unexpected medical emergency.”

“We remember fondly Ron’s passionate service to the people of Hawaii over the many years he served in the Legislature and on the Honolulu City Council,” Green said in a statement.

Honolulu City Council member Ron Menor.
The career of Ron Menor, left, spanned decades in office, including stints as Honolulu City Council chair. Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2019

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi called Menor, the former chair of the City Council, a “valiant public servant.”

“Ron was a tireless leader who championed his community and had an incredible impact on our city,” Blangiardi said, in a statement. “We all owe him a debt of gratitude for his public service.”

Menor is survived by his wife, Patricia, and sons Benjamin, Andrew and Anthony.

Menor was the son of the late Hawaii Supreme Court Justice Benjamin Menor and Lilian Menor.

Menor’s career spanned decades in office. He served in the Honolulu City Council, as a state representative in the 1980s and 1990s, and a state senator in the 2000s.

Menor began his career as a law clerk for the Hawaii Supreme Court.

In an interview with the Hawaii State Bar Association, he said his decision to pursue the law and become a public servant was influenced by his father.

“My decision to enter the legal profession was also motivated by my desire to make a difference in the lives of people,” he said.

What stories will you help make possible?

Since 2010, Civil Beat’s reporting has painted a more complete picture of Hawaii — stories that you won’t find anywhere else.

Your donation, however big or small, will ensure that Civil Beat has the resources to provide you with thorough, unbiased reporting on the issues that matter most to Hawaii. We can’t do this without you.

 

About the Author