Today flags at state buildings will be flying at half staff in remembrance of Tom Gill, Hawai'i's former lieutenant governor who died Friday at 87. The imprint he left on the political consciousness of the state is far deeper than his relatively brief tenure in statewide office might suggest.

His work in the fledgling labor movement propelled him into politics, in which he helped bring about the 1954 Democratic Revolution. Among those swept to power, Gill became a leader in the party's progressive wing. He represented his young state in Congress for only a single term, but even so was instrumental in the passage of the landmark 1964 U.S. Civil Rights Act.

Elected to the state's No. 2 position in 1966, Gill's populist idealism inspired many young voters of the era, but his brash persona may have curbed his political longevity. He took a gamble and lost, twice, when he challenged the beloved Gov. Jack Burns, and then successor George Ariyoshi, for the top job. Breaching that kind of protocol is rarely successful in Isle politics, but Gill seemed more motivated to do what he believed was right than what would work for the short term.

He was devoted to environmental causes at a time when they were eclipsed by the drive for economic development. He influenced decisionmakers, who in turn did slow the pace of growth and worked toward sensible land use.

Now his ideals have been embraced as part of the reality of keeping island life sustainable. So at the end of lifetime of public service, it's fitting that Gill be recognized for nurturing the seeds of that public policy.