Former Hawaii congressman Cec Heftel dies at 85

HONOLULU - Former Democratic congressman Cec Heftel of Hawaii has died.

Laura Figueira, who worked at Heftel's congressional office in Honolulu, on Friday quoted his family as saying Heftel had been in failing health for a while and died Thursday in San Diego of natural causes. He was 85.

Figueira quoted the family as saying private funeral arrangements are pending and will be coordinated with family members in Hawaii and on the mainland.

Heftel was a successful broadcast industry executive before he won Hawaii's 1st Congressional District seat in 1976. Heftel remained in the House until 1986 when he resigned to run for governor, losing in the Democratic primary. - AP