Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Dies at 87

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg passed away on Friday due to complications from metastatic pancreatic cancer. She was 87 years old.

Ginsburg was considered a progressive champion on social issues during her time on the court, which began with her appointment by President Bill Clinton in 1993. Ginsburg regularly cast liberal votes on issues like immigration, abortion rights, and affirmative action.

“Justice Ginsburg is irreplaceable,” stated House of Representatives Speaker Scott K. Saiki Friday afternoon.

Hawai‘i Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald expressed his sadness after learning of Ginsburg’s passing.

“Justice Ginsburg was a legal giant: a brilliant jurist who tirelessly worked to ensure that our nation’s promise of justice for all was kept,” Recktenwald said. ” She was also a courageous and inspirational role model, both professionally and personally.”

Recktenwald said Ginsburg most recently visited Hawai‘i’s Supreme Court in 2017 when she met with the justices and members of the bar, and then graciously spoke about her experiences and her love of Hawai‘i with law clerks and staff attorneys.

“On behalf of the Hawai‘i Judiciary, we send our deepest sympathy and fond aloha to her family,” Recktenwald added.

Ginsburg’s passing opens up one of nine spots on the highest court in the United States less than seven weeks before the next presidential election, scheduled for Nov. 3.