Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) will bring a quiet and subtle leadership style to the Senate Appropriations Committee chairmanship — one of the most powerful positions in the upper chamber.

Those who have known Inouye for years say he will be less visible than Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.), who earlier this month stepped down as chairman because of his failing health.

The first Japanese-American elected to Congress is, at 84, only slightly younger than Byrd and a decorated war hero who lost an arm in World War II.

Many insiders regard him as a team player, often doing what the Democratic leadership wants but not shying away from telling his superiors to do what he thinks is right.

Byrd, who has been a chairman with a strong personality, has been seen as more independent, always fighting to uphold the institutional and constitutional prerogatives of Congress.

Inouye, on the other hand, likes the politics of the upper chamber, working the members and making phone calls to persuade lawmakers from the cloakroom rather than the floor, according to a source familiar with both Inouye and Byrd.

Inouye is “very quiet, and when he speaks up he really means it,” Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), who serves on the Appropriations panel with Inouye and Byrd, told The Hill.

“Sen. Inouye is very easy to get along with and has [the] deep respect of all members of the committee. I think he will be very forthcoming and he will run the committee very well.”

Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (D-N.D.), a former member of the Appropriations Committee under Byrd, said he doubts much will change under Inouye.

“I’m sure there will be stylistic differences, but those are two people who have worked very closely for many years, so I’d suspect the way they conduct the committee won’t be all that different,” Conrad said.

Others lawmakers who know Inouye from the Commerce Committee describe him as “gracious.”

“He’s very inclusive, and he’s very nonpartisan,” said Sen. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), who has served with Byrd on the Armed Services Committee and under Inouye on the Commerce Committee. “He has a great relationship with the Republicans on the committee.”

His relationship with Republicans extends beyond his committees of jurisdiction.

“I have never had occasion to go to him and ask for something reasonable that he did not respond [to] in a positive way. I feel so comfortable with him,” said Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.). “I would not want to imply that Sen. Byrd has not always been totally fair.”

Those who know Inouye say that he will press to bring back regular order in the appropriations process, making sure that each appropriations bill gets its time and amendment on the Senate floor before heading for conference with the House.

Inouye will ensure that members receive the necessary support to fund constituent needs. But he will also ensure that Hawaii is well taken care of. His constituents are already expecting that.