David Chang will step down as the chairman of the Hawaii Republican Party to concentrate on his military and business commitments, sources say.

Former congresswoman Patricia Saiki is expected to be named the new party chairwoman.

The state GOP announced that the party’s executive committee would hold a special meeting on Wednesday night in advance of a major announcement about a leadership change Thursday morning.

Chang is an intelligence officer in the Hawaii Army National Guard and an entrepreneur who is chairman of the Chang Holding Co., responsibilities that require increased travel, sources say.

Chang was selected party chairman in November 2011, replacing Jonah Kaauwai, who resigned after falling out of favor with allies of then-Gov. Linda Lingle.

Chang, who is married to state Rep. Beth Fukumoto (R, Mililani-Mililani Mauka-Waipio Acres), is considered among the crop of emerging young Republican leaders.

But the minority party’s fortunes have fallen during Chang’s tenure. Lingle and former congressman Charles Djou, who had been considered the GOP’s most electable candidates, lost campaigns for U.S. Senate and U.S. House in 2012.

Republicans have also lost ground at the state Legislature, although state House Republicans have formed a leadership coalition with majority Democrats.

Internal divisions have also fragmented the party. The Hawaii Republican Assembly, the conservative wing of the party, has given new voice to conservatives who are dissatisfied by what they view as the party’s moderate drift and aversion to publicly engage Democrats on issues such as gay marriage, abortion and gun rights.

Saiki, a former congresswoman who lost campaigns for U.S. Senate and governor, is considered a GOP elder stateswoman and ambassador. The state party honored her in January with a special tribute that also served as a fundraiser for the party’s building fund.