Talk about having big shoes to fill. On Wednesday, Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie chose Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz to fill the Senate seat left vacant by the death of revered Sen. Daniel Inouye earlier this month. Schatz has been lieutenant governor for two years, and has a background in nonprofit community work and state politics, having served as a member of the State House of Representatives for six years. He will serve as senator until the next election in 2014. The choice is a rejection of Inouye's reported “last wish” that Colleen Hanabusa, who represents urban Honolulu's 1st Congressional District, be appointed as his replacement. Jennifer Sabas, Inouye's chief of staff, issued a statement Wednesday saying "we are very disappointed that [his last wish] was not honored ... but we wish Brian Schatz the best of luck.”
