State Rep. K. Mark Takai will be deployed by his Hawai'i Army National Guard unit and miss the Legislature's 2009 session, which opens tomorrow.

Maj. Takai, a preventive medicine officer, learned Saturday that he will be activated Feb. 4 and sent for six months to Kuwait with members of the Guard's 29th Brigade Combat Team.

"I've been going crazy just making sure we take care of everything that needs to be dealt with," said Takai, D-34th (Newtown, Waiau, Pearl City). "The separation from my family is going to be the most difficult. Being away for the Legislature is right behind that.

"It is going to be a difficult time, but at the same time, I think this is an opportunity that I have trained for."

Takai and his wife, Sami, are parents to a 7-year-old son and a 5-year-old daughter.

Some of the 29th's battalions conduct convoy security in Iraq, but Takai said he has not been told what his duties will be. It is his second deployment in 14 years in the Legislature.

From May to November 2005, he was on active duty as the deputy state surgeon while the National Guard brigade deployed. He will be the first Hawai'i legislator to be deployed during a regular session of the Legislature.

In August 2004, former state Rep. Tulsi Tamayo was deployed to Iraq with the Hawai'i Army National Guard's 29th Brigade Combat Team.

Tamayo did not miss any House sessions but did miss the 2004 primary election; she pulled out of the election and gave up her seat voluntarily.

Federal and state laws allow legislators to keep their seats and participate in elections while on active military duty, but U.S. Department of Defense rules hinder the amount of legislative work an officer can do.

There are 35 current legislators nationwide who have been deployed to another country while still serving in state legislatures, according to a study Takai published in August for the National Network of Legislators in the Military.

Rep. Rida Cabanilla, D-42nd (Waipahu, Honouliuli, 'Ewa), a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve, is the only other Hawai'i legislator now serving in the military, Takai's survey showed.

Takai and his staff are organizing a meeting in his district to answer questions and address concerns.

"We're going to rely heavily on my legislative colleagues and my staff to help work with our community to make sure our legislative priorities are carried through this session," Takai said.