State Senate Minority Leader Fred Hemmings, a surfing legend who has been one of the state’s leading conservatives, will not run for re-election next year.

Hemmings, 63, said he plans to pursue business projects and do more public speaking engagements. He said his decision to leave politics was influenced in part by the frustration of being a Republican in a state Legislature dominated by majority Democrats and by the indictment of his wife this year on felony theft charges.
Hemmings, R-25th (Kailua, Waimanalo, Hawaiçi Kai), is one of two Republicans in the 25-member Senate. Six Republicans serve in the 51-member House.
“I’ve done my time,” the senator said of his political career.
Hemmings, who was born in Honolulu and graduated from Punahou School, won the World Surfing Championship in 1968 and was a pioneer in marketing the sport internationally. The avid waterman was also a champion canoe paddler.
Hemmings served in the state House from 1984 to 1990 and was elected to the Senate in 2000. He ran unsuccessfully for governor in 1990 and lieutenant governor in 1994.
The senator said one of his biggest accomplishments was working with Gov. Linda Lingle and President Bush to establish the Papahänaumokuäkea Marine National Monument, the largest conservation area in the United States.
But Hemmings often found that his ideas did not advance in a Legislature controlled by Democrats.
The senator was also disappointed by the indictment of his wife, Lydia Hemmings, on felony theft charges in May related to her work for the non-profit Blueprint for Change. Lydia Hemmings has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
“We’re going to miss him greatly,” said Jonah Kaçauwai, the state GOP chairman.