Leeward state Sen. Colleen Hanabusa was chosen yesterday by Senate Democrats as the new president of the state Senate, declaring she would try to make decisions more transparently while developing a unified majority voice on public policy.

Hanabusa, a labor attorney who has represented Senate District 21 (Nanakuli, Makaha) for the past eight years, will be the first woman to preside over a chamber in the state Legislature. She replaces state Sen. Robert Bunda, D-22nd (North Shore, Wahiawa), who had led the Senate for six years but lost his grip on power after he barely survived a failed coup by Hanabusa, his Majority Leader, at the end of the 2005 session.

The Senate was so dysfunctional last session that Democratic leaders did not have a single leadership meeting and instead worked through policy issues as a caucus. But they mostly kept the infighting private so it would not become too much of a distraction in an election year.

Hanabusa said Senate Democrats would discuss session priorities at a retreat but said sustainability would likely be a prime topic. Sustainability covers quality-of-life issues, from population growth, housing and traffic to land-use questions over water availability, cultural preservation and agricultural protection.

"What we like to think about now is that we're moving forward," she said at a news conference at the Capitol with her leadership team. "We are going to be the face of the Senate now and, as a team, we believe that we are going to represent the people of the state very well."

Hanabusa said the relationship with Gov. Linda Lingle will likely depend on what bills the Republican proposes for the session, but she said Senate Democrats would try to work with the administration. "The governor can help set the tone," Hanabusa said afterward. "We're not looking for a fight."

Bunda described Hanabusa as a prominent part of his leadership team who would be both "fair and firm" as president.

The reorganization splits power between competing factions of Senate Democrats while also restructuring several important committees. State Sen. Rosalyn Baker, D-5th (W. Maui, S. Maui), will take control of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, replacing state Sen. Brian Taniguchi, D-10th (Manoa, McCully), on the panel that shapes state spending. State Sen. Shan Tsutsui, D-4th (Kahului), will retain the vice chairmanship of the committee and also chair a subcommittee on capital improvement projects, potentially giving Maui greater influence.

Senate Democrats created a new Senate Judiciary and Labor Committee that could have significant power and scope under the leadership of state Sen. Clayton Hee, D-23rd (Kane'ohe, Kahuku).

Senate Vice President Donna Mercado Kim, D-14th (Halawa, Moanalua, Kamehameha Heights), will keep her leadership post but will also control a new subcommittee on legislative management that will oversee Senate operations. State Sen. Gary Hooser, D-7th (Kaua'i, Ni'ihau), will replace Hanabusa as Majority Leader, a possible bonus for Kaua'i.

Senate Minority Leader Fred Hemmings, R-25th (Kailua, Waimanalo, Hawai'i Kai), who will return as Republican leader, was close to Bunda and appreciated his leadership style. But Hemmings said he also has respect for Hanabusa's abilities.

"Her record is one of bipartisanship and cooperation, and I'm hopeful we can work together," Hemmings said.

Among insiders, Hanabusa, 55, is known as bright and ruthless. She helped instigate an unsuccessful coup against Senate leaders during her first year in the Senate and has never been shy about criticizing leadership. She was among the first to go public with concerns about Bunda but, until now, could not build a coalition to take the presidency.

She finished third to U.S. Rep. Ed Case in a 2003 special election to replace Patsy Mink in Congress and a close second to incoming U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono this year in the Democratic primary for the same 2nd Congressional seat, which covers rural O'ahu and the Neighbor Islands.

Hanabusa is among the most respected senators for her intelligence, legal skills and work rate and has often taken the lead on difficult public-policy issues.

Neal Milner, a political science professor and ombudsman at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa, said Hanabusa's congressional campaign this year improved her stature as a politician. "She's always been an impressive person. People aren't going to be able to mess with her, that's for sure."

Hanabusa, whose family has spent four generations on the Wai'anae Coast, said her selection as president does represent change for women that is overdue. Although she said she was not speaking as a women's advocate, she does hope her presidency can send a message.

"What I hope it does send a message to is to all the young women growing up and the young girls that in fact, you know, anything is possible," she said.

Reach Derrick DePledge at ddepledge@honoluluadvertiser.com.