WASHINGTON (AP) — Brian Schatz is Hawaii's new senator after a swearing-in ceremony Thursday led by Vice President Joe Biden.

The 40-year-old Democrat succeeds Daniel Inouye (ih-NOH'-way), who died last week at age 88.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie chose Schatz to fill the vacancy. Schatz had been Hawaii's lieutenant governor.

Schatz gently took the hand of his fellow senator Daniel Akaka (uh-KAH'-kuh) and helped him walk up the Senate chamber's center aisle to meet Biden. Akaka is retiring at age 88.