As a UniServ Director, he represented teachers on Hawaiʻi Island
Posted: July 12, 2024
State Rep. Mark Nakashima, a former public school teacher and Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association UniServ Director who served 17 years in the state Legislature representing parts of east Hawaiʻi Island, has died. He was 61.
“This is a tremendous loss for the Hāmākua, Hilo, and Kaumana community and the House of Representatives,” said House Speaker Scott Saiki in a statement. “Mark served his community and our state with dignity and respect. He will be missed. Our heartfelt condolences go to Mark’s family during this time.”
His family told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that he had a long battle with diabetes that led to health complications. He had received a kidney transplant in January 2023, his family said.
A lifelong resident of Hawaiʻi Island, Nakashima was first elected to the House in 2008. Before becoming a state lawmaker, he taught history and economics at Honokaʻa High School from 1988 to 1993.
While he was a teacher, Nakashima chaired HSTA’s Government Relations Committee. From 1993 to 1994, he worked on the HSTA staff as a legislative specialist. He returned to HSTA in 1995 and stayed for more than 13 years, first as a governance specialist. In 1998, he transferred to a UniServ Director position, serving West Hawaiʻi then East Hawaiʻi.
HSTA president, teachers, staff ‘mourn the loss of our fellow educator’
HSTA President Osa Tui, Jr. said, “We mourn the loss of our fellow educator, fellow HSTA staff member, and beloved state representative. He wouldn’t allow his ailments to stop his work advocating for his constituents and carried out his duties until the very end. We send our condolences to all who loved him and had the opportunity to work with him over the years.”
HSTA Hilo Chapter President Edwin Kagawa, who has held the position for various terms over 14 years, remembers Nakashima fondly.
“From the time I became active in HSTA, Mark was always a big part of the union, not only as a UniServ Director but also as a friend and a legislator,” Kagawa said.
“He remained a strong member of the HSTA ʻohana, even after he became a lawmaker. He still remembered what it was like to be a teacher and was very supportive of educators and our keiki,” Kagawa added.
“We could always talk to him about any issue, and he listened,” said Kagawa.
Retired HSTA UniServ Director Rae Yamanaka was a teacher serving as the union’s Hilo Chapter president when Nakashima was first elected to the House in 2008, and she replaced him as a UD at HSTA.
“Mark was a constant force in our chapter, always there, and always ready to help,” Yamanaka said. “He was unassuming and didn’t seek the limelight, instead coaching all of us from the sidelines. I counted Mark as a friend and colleague. He was quiet, but had a wicked sense of humor.”
Yamanaka remembered when he worked as an HSTA UD, “Teachers trusted Mark and relied on him to take care of their grievances and issues at work. He always came through for them.”
When Nakashima became a lawmaker, Yamanaka said, “I could always call on Mark when I had questions on legislative items and how to work with the Legislature on bills of interest.
“I will miss his smile and calming presence. I will miss him,” she concluded.
Hope Pualani McKeen, who chairs HSTA’s Government Relations Committee, recalled Nakashima as an advocate for public schools.
“He was always a friend of education who supported our priorities when we discussed them with him,” said McKeen, a Hawaiian Studies teacher at Keonepoko Elementary on Hawaiʻi Island.
Governor, LG remember a ‘fierce advocate’
Gov. Josh Green, who previously served in the Legislature representing parts of Hawaiʻi Island, said in a statement that Nakashima leaves an inspiring legacy of service, dedication to education, and commitment to sustainable energy.
“He was a gentle yet fierce advocate for the residents of Hawaiʻi, and we honor his memory and his contributions to our community and state,” Green said.
Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke, who also served with Nakashima in the Legislature, said in a statement that she and Nakashima had been close friends since they both attended the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
“I’m heartbroken about the news of Mark’s passing,” Luke said. “Mark was not only a strong advocate for his constituents, but also a champion for medical access and equality in our rural communities. I will miss him dearly and send my prayers and aloha to his loved ones during this time.”
In the Legislature, Nakashima most recently chaired the House Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce. From 2018 to 2020, he served as Saiki’s vice speaker in the House.
To honor Nakashima, Green ordered that the U.S. flag and the Hawaiʻi state flag at the state Capitol be flown at half-staff from sunrise Friday to sunset Monday.