Stanley Hara, whose public service in the Territorial Legislature and later as a state senator spanned nearly three decades, and who was known for his humble demeanor and "can do" attitude, died Dec. 1 at his Hilo home.

Hara, who was first elected to the Territorial Legislature in 1954, was 86.

Those who knew him said Hara first ran for office after disagreeing with a law that had been passed.

Hara was later elected to the state Senate, and served until 1980. For many years, Hara headed the Senate's Ways and Means Committee, helping to steer critical state funding decisions, and also served on the agriculture and education committees.

All the while, Hara also worked in real estate on the Big Island.

He was instrumental in several Big Island real estate developments and worked up until recently as a real estate agent at the Hilo office of Hawaiian Island Homes.

"He was the kind of guy you couldn't get to sit down," said Dana Kenny, broker-in-charge for Hawaiian Island Homes Big Island operations.

Hara was also active in the community, volunteering countless hours to a myriad of organizations, including the Ancient Order of Foresters, the Hawai'i Japanese Community Association and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce.

Kenny said that despite his accomplishments, Hara was always humble, waving off praise over his accomplishments and shying away from the spotlight.

"He was the most humble, unassuming person I've ever met," Kenny said.

Kenny added that Hara had battled cancer for many years, but never let sickness get him down or stop him from doing what he wanted to do.

"He would go out and do everything himself," Kenny said. "That's what impressed me."

Hara's son, Glenn, a Hilo Circuit Court judge, said his father was known for his incredible work ethic.

"He was always very active," he said. "I think what drove him, especially in his public life, was a very strong sense of what he felt was right and wrong."

Hara was among a group of young Democrats who swept the Republican-controlled Territorial Legislature in what has become known as the historic Democratic Revolution of 1954. In 2004, the 50th anniversary of the sweep, Hara told The Advertiser that the group made tough choices.

And they succeeded, he said, in securing big improvements.

"It was an exciting time and, by God, we were able to do it," Hara said.

Hara is survived by his wife, Diane; sons Glenn and Bradley; and sisters Sadako Tokoro, Kaneko Mikami, Gladys Mikami, Violet Chung and Mary Morisugi.

Services are set for tomorrow at 6 p.m. at Hosoi Garden Mortuary, with visitation from 5 to 6 p.m. Services will also be held at Dodo Mortuary chapel in Hilo at 11 a.m. Saturday, with visitation from 9 to 11 a.m.

The family requests no flowers; aloha attire.