He became the Democratic Party nominee for the U.S. House in the 2014 elections, defeating former Congressman Charles Djou to win the seat.

Takai announced in May 2016 that he would not seek reelection due to ill health; he died from cancer two months later.

Additionally, he chaired the House Committee on Veterans, Military, & International Affairs, & Culture and the Arts.[when?]

[9] In November 2015, he introduced the Atomic Veterans Healthcare Parity Act, extending federal compensation to those made sick by involvement in cleanup operations after bomb tests on Pacific islands.

[10] Takai was commissioned as first lieutenant in the Hawaii Army National Guard (HIARNG) on July 19, 1999, and worked as the Preventive Medical Officer.

[14] On May 19, 2016, he announced that he would not seek reelection because his cancer had spread, but vowed to serve the remaining eight months of his term.