LIHU'E, Kaua'i — Whether it was securing funding for Kaua'i Community College, for neighborhood centers or for other Garden Island needs, former state Sen. George H. Toyofuku could be counted on to "make sure our district would not be forgotten," a colleague said yesterday.

Toyofuku, 78, died Saturday at his home in Lihu'e; services will be held Sunday.

"He could be charming, smiling," said Dennis Yamada, who was a state representative from Kaua'i when Toyofuku was in the Senate from 1971 to 1982. "But when he focused, when there was something legislatively to be done, there was no doubt in my mind he would do it."

Yamada and fellow Kaua'i representatives Tony Kunimura, Richard Kawakami and Toyofuku were known as "the four Musketeers" or the "four amigos" for their united front in seeking things for Kaua'i, Yamada recalled by phone from O'ahu yesterday.

"I thought it was a very good situation," said Yamada, the only member of the foursome still alive. "He'd do his part in the Senate and we'd do our part in the House."

Former Gov. George Ariyoshi yesterday recalled that Neighbor Island legislators often "fight like hell for things they feel they need for their islands."

"No one fought harder than George Toyofuku," Ariyoshi said. "He was very avid and he watched the budget very carefully."

Born in Hanapepe to parents who had immigrated from Japan, Toyofuku also served in the state House from 1965 to 1968 and on the Kaua'i County Board of Supervisors — the predecessor to the County Council — from 1959 to 1964.

After a successful career in politics, he moved on to own and manage Mokihana Insurance Agency in Lihu'e.

In a proclamation, Gov. Linda Lingle ordered state and county buildings to fly flags at half-staff Sunday in honor of Toyofuku.

"Throughout his life, Mr. Toyofuku worked hard to make a difference, and he did so without ever losing sight of his deeply held convictions. He touched the lives of the people he knew and, on a grand scale, helped shape life in Hawai'i today," Lingle said in her proclamation.

"He was a good public servant," said Dean Toyofuku, one of Toyofuku's sons. His father was was active in the family business until a few years ago and remained active in the Lions Club International.

"He's always been in something," Dean Toyofuku said.

Toyofuku is survived by his wife, Elsie; sons, Guy and Dean; daughters, Amy Toyofuku and Lisa Taketa; eight grandchildren; brothers, Thomas and Charles; and sister, Naoe Fukuda.

Visitation will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Lihu'e Hongwanji Mission, with service at 3 p.m. No flowers. Casual attire. Arrangements by Garden Island Mortuary.