As a mark of respect for the late former Mayor Eileen R. Anderson, Gov. David Ige has ordered that the flags of the United States and State of Hawai‘i shall be flown at half-staff at all state offices and agencies, as well as the Hawaii National Guard, from sunrise to sunset on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021.
Anderson was the first woman to serve as mayor of the City and County of Honolulu. She held the office from 1981 to 1985. Anderson was also the first woman to serve as director of the state’s Department of Budget and Finance under Gov. George Ariyoshi.
“Former Mayor Anderson was a trailblazer who was an inspiration to girls and young women who aspire to enter the political arena or become leaders in their chosen fields. Dawn and I express our deepest condolences to her family and loved ones,” Gov. Ige said.
Anderson died on Nov. 3 at the age of 93.
Statement by Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi:
Mayor Rick Blangiardi regrets to announce that former Honolulu Mayor Eileen R. Anderson passed away on Wednesday, November 3, 2021 at the age of 93. Anderson served as mayor of the City and County of Honolulu from 1981 to 1985. She was the first woman to ever hold the office of Mayor in the City and County of Honolulu.
“The City and County of Honolulu mourns the loss of former Mayor Eileen Anderson,” said Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi. “She defeated one of the most powerful and influential people in the history of Honolulu politics to become the first female mayor of the City and County of Honolulu. She is a terrific role model for all young girls, and for all the scrappy underdogs who dream of great things. Her contributions to the City will live on in perpetuity.”
Anderson had a long history of public service, having served as the State of Hawaii’s first Director of the Department of Budget and Finance under Governor George Ariyoshi. In 1980, she defeated incumbent mayor Frank Fasi with seventy percent of the vote. That year, Anderson was named Hawaii Business Magazine “Woman of the Year.”
Eileen and her husband Clifford were active in community service including both Boy and Girl Scouts, Aloha United Way, Liliuokalani Trust, Calvary Episcopal Church and Kaneohe Little League where Clifford served as League President between 1960-1963.
“Ours parents spent their careers in public and community service. We knew well of their love and dedication to the people of Hawaii,” said Eileen Anderson’s daughter, Patricia Anderson. “With the job of leading the City and County of Honolulu, came the responsibility of making difficult decisions that wouldn’t please everyone. All decisions whether in transportation, tourism, land, or business & industry, would have long term fiscal impacts that ultimately filtered down to the ‘Ohana and Aina of O‘ahu. Eileen Anderson took this responsibility very seriously. We are proud of her accomplishments and the legacy she leaves behind.”
In honor and memory of Mayor Eileen Anderson, Mayor Rick Blangiardi has ordered the flags be flown at half-staff at all City facilities tomorrow, Wednesday, December 1.