Governor Orders Flags to Half-Staff to Honor Former Rep. Heen

Out of respect for the late former state Rep. Ernest “Juggie” Nalani Heen, Jr., Gov. Neil Abercrombie issued orders today to fly both the Hawai`i State and United States flag at half staff at all state offices and Hawai`i National Guard facilities through August 8.

Heen, who will be honored at a memorial service on Thursday, served in the state Legislature for three terms in the 1960s. The former representative received the Democratic Party of Hawai`i’s 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award.

Heen worked more recently as an advocate for end-of-life care, helping to launch the “Join Juggie” campaign to empower terminally ill patients to make their own decisions about their future treatment.

Gov. Abercrombie has ordered flags to half staff in honor of former Rep. Heen.

Gov. Abercrombie issued a statement on Heen’s passing that recalled his commitment to end-of-life care, saying “Juggie will be remembered for his tireless efforts to ensure dignity for those facing their final moments.”

The former representative passed away in Honolulu on June 30 at the age of 82.