‘He who speaks softly yet moves mountains’: Late Big Island lawmaker Mark Nakashima praised by family, friends, colleagues and constituents

The soup she made him was still in the slow cooker from the day before. She ate a little bit, but he would have eaten a lot. He liked her cooking.

She was wearing his Hilo High School shirt as she wrote, thinking about him.

“Your toothbrush is here, where it always is. The painting from Loryn that she gave you for Father’s Day is still here in the bougie professional frame. You wanted her to come home from Okinawa to see it before you took it to work,” wrote Yvette Lee in a Thursday night post on Facebook.

It was about 5 hours after the death of her 61-year-old husband and longtime Big Island state Rep. Mark Nakashima was announced. He suffered from health complications from a long two-decade battle with diabetes. 

She said he was excited to attend the Hawai‘i County Democratic Party’s 63rd annual Primary Grand Rally next Friday, and they were going to have lunch “with Mom and Aunty.”

He wanted to go to the Honoka‘a High School 135th Anniversary Picnic next Saturday to see friends.

He might have been born March 27, 1963, in Hilo, but Nakashima grew up in Honoka‘a and was after all a 1981 Honoka‘a High graduate — a Dragon for life.

“My last words to you were, ‘I love you,’ and you replied, ‘I love you, too,'” wrote Lee, who would have celebrated her first wedding anniversary with Nakashima on July 16, in less than a week. “Remember ‘Fiddler on the Roof’? The ‘Do You Love Me?’ song? Every now and then a random sing-songy “Do you love me?” would come from you and we’d sing those fun-loving words. I adored that fun goof in you.”

She could hear her husband singing those words Thursday night as hundreds upon hundreds of people — including friends, family and colleagues — offered their condolences across social media, which continued Friday.

“My heart is so incredibly sad, and many have shared tears and kind words with me,” Lee wrote. “I am overwhelmed by the unspoken gratitude for everything you’ve meant to people and, quoting a friend of yours, accomplished ‘like a ninja’ for our Hawai‘i. I love you the Hunny.”

State House Speaker Scott Saiki in a statement Thursday called Nakashima’s death a tremendous loss.

Gov. Josh Green, who called the late legislator a “gentle yet fierce advocate for the residents of Hawai‘i,” ordered the U.S. and Hawai‘i state flags to be flown at half-staff until sunset Monday in his honor.

Nakashima was first elected in 2008. He represented District 1 of the state House of Representatives, which encompasses Hāmākua, Kaʻūmana and a portion of Hilo. He served in the seat until his death.

The incumbent intended to continue his public service, filing papers May 31 to seek re-election this year. Nakashima was even running unopposed for his seat.

During his time in the state House, he held several leadership roles, most recently as chairman of the Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce.

He also previously served as chairman of the Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, chairman of the Committee on Economic Development, chairman of the Committee on Labor and Public Employment and vice chairman of the Higher Education Committee.

Nakashima also served as vice speaker of the House from 2018 to 2021.

“It is with profound sadness that we learn of Rep. Nakashima’s passing,” said Hawaiʻi County Mayor Mitch Roth on Friday in a statement. “Mark was a great man who dedicated the last 16 years of his life to serving the people of North Hilo and the entire Hawaiʻi Island community. His humble demeanor and fierce advocacy were instrumental in securing funding for numerous projects over the years, including the recent $50 million expansion of the Hilo Benioff Medical Center. This project alone will help ensure the health and well-being of our local families for generations to come.”

Roth added that Nakashima will always be remembered for his ability to smile through the toughest circumstances and will be deeply missed.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and loved ones as they cope with this tremendous loss,” the mayor said.

The late Big Island state lawmaker introduced and co-introduced hundreds of bills and resolutions during his last two years at the Capitol. They dealt with issues ranging from education and agriculture to media literacy, tax haven abuse, renewable energy and more.

His accomplishments included a new oncology building and telemedicine facilities in Hilo and new classroom building at Haʻaheo Elementary School in Pāpaʻikou.

He helped hike the state’s minimum wage in 2014 for the first time since 2007. State lawmakers approved an incremental minimum wage increase to $10.10 per hour by Jan. 1, 2018.

The state’s base wage stayed the same until more than 4 years later, with Nakashima still in the House, when legislators approved another measure incrementally upping it to $18 an hour by Jan. 1, 2028.

He was there when the state’s medical marijuana legislation was signed and put in place.

One of his dreams for Hawai‘i was to have hydrogen fuel technology. In 2018, after almost 10 years of support and his pushing, Nakashima purchased a shiny blue hydrogen Toyota Mirai off the lot and spoke about the state’s first hydrogen fueling facility at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaiʻi Authority in Kona, a turnkey project he championed.

“A strong advocate for the people of the Big Island, Mark worked hard as a legislator to ensure that the Big Island was well-represented at the Capitol,” said O‘ahu state Rep. Adrian Tam in a Thursday post on Facebook. “I served under Mark as a member of the House Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, and I saw firsthand the work he has put in to ensure that every bill we pass is in its best form before advancing to the floor. A strong advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, Mark was never afraid to do what’s right.”

Tam added that Nakashima’s work for the people of Hawaiʻi Island and the state will forever be his legacy.

His commitment to public service was impeccable and his dedication to the people of his district — and the entire state — more than unwavering.

“He wouldn’t allow his ailments to stop his work advocating for his constituents and carried out his duties until the very end,” said Hawai‘i State Teachers Association President Osa Tui Jr. on Friday in a release on the teachers union website.

Even if he just underwent major surgery.

Nakashima a little more than 5 months ago celebrated 1 year with a new kidney. He had developed kidney disease because of his diabetes and needed regular dialysis. A transplant was the solution.

Doctors cleared him a week early to return to Hawaiʻi from California after transplant surgery in January 2023.

“I am grateful for a new donated kidney and a renewed lease on life,” the late lawmaker said in a Feb. 4, 2023, post on his Facebook page. “My health improved overnight after the surgery and since then I have been walking more than a mile a day up and down the hills of San Francisco with my fianceé, Yvette.”

After spending 3 weeks recovering, he and his future wife headed home the next day. No rest for the weary though. He was more than eager to make his return to the Capitol, looking forward to representing the people of District 1 and all of Hawaiʻi.

“It’s exciting to finally be on the floor of the House, where I will be officially sworn in this Monday,” Nakashima wrote. The Monday he spoke about was less than a day after he got back to the islands. “In the meantime, I have been in constant contact with my office and staff, and my colleagues.”

Big Island state Sen. Dru Kanuha, who has been the majority leader of the Hawaiʻi Senate since 2021, said in a Facebook post Thursday that his friend and colleague’s dedication to public service and commitment to the people of Hawai‘i were truly inspiring.

“His legacy of leadership and community advocacy will be remembered and cherished by all who had the privilege of working with him,” wrote Kanuha. “Sending all my aloha to his family, friends, staff and constituents during this difficult time.”

Many constituents contributed their voices to the hundreds-strong chorus across social media platforms, offering condolences and kind words about their neighbor, friend and state representative’s service and legacy.

Stan Aoki of Hilo commented Thursday about how responsive Nakashima was: “I used to email him some of my concerns and he would always send me a letter answering me.”

“His was a life well-lived, leaving his footprints while here on Earth,” said Anita Hanley replying to another post. “An example to us all to follow his path moving forward.”

Angella Brandt of Honokaʻa called Nakashima “a true servant leader.” Gale Puniwai of Hilo commenting on another post thanked the late lawmaker for his years of service: “Our thoughts and prayers are with you. God bless you and your ʻohana!”

“Mark Nakashima was a fine community leader,” commented Lark J. Morin of Lāhainā, Maui, who was shocked about the legislator’s death. “Thank you for all you’ve done.”

Fellow Honokaʻa resident Tita Corey Kanekoa thanked her neighbor for all he did for their community. Big Island Now user uluaking, commented Friday morning on the initial news post from Thursday afternoon about Nakashima’s death, said: “Nice guy and so tragic to die at such a young age. May he rest in peace.”

The late legislator was involved in several community organizations during his lifetime.

He was a member of the Hāmākua Lions Club, a past president of the Hawaiʻi State Jaycees, a vice president of the U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce, a member of the U.S.-Japan Council and a part of the Junior Chamber International, or JCI, Senate and alumni. He was also a past member of the Honolulu Chinese Jaycees.

“With heartfelt sympathy and condolences, we honor the memory of our friend and community builder, Hāmākua Lion Mark Nakashima, who left an indelible mark on our lives and community,” wrote the Hāmākua Lions Club in a Facebook post Friday.

Nakashima was being praised for his accomplishments and work before his death, too.

“‘He who speaks softly yet moves mountains.’ That’s the best description of real-life hero Rep. Mark Nakashima,” said Nate Gaddis of Hilo in a May 22 post on Facebook.

Big Island state Sen. Joy San Buenaventura posted a few photos taken since May she said show how much her colleague in the other chamber loved life, his friends and his family. Like most, she was shocked and deeply saddened by the news of his death.

“He was a good legislator, a strong advocate for Hilo and Hawaiʻi Island and an honorable and decent man,” wrote Oʻahu state Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole in a Thursday post on Facebook. “My sincerest aloha to his ‘ohana and to his community on Hawai‘i Island for their huge loss.”

San Buenaventura echoed Keohokalole’s sentiments, saying Nakashima was a major supporter of anything that benefited the Big Island.

“Our hearts go out to the ʻohana at this very difficult time,” said Big Island state Sen. Lorraine Inouye in a Facebook post Thursday. “We send deep condolences to his wife Yvette and mother Betty. Rep. Nakashima served the state and his community well in District 1.”

Hawaiʻi Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald said the late Big Island lawmaker was a strong advocate for the state Judiciary, especially during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic when he served as chairman of the House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs.

Nakashima was able to secure additional funding to support civil legal services and establish a much-needed position for another Intermediate Court of Appeals judge.

Recktenwald called him a highly skilled and effective legislator who always treated people with respect and aloha — he cared passionately about the people of Hawaiʻi.

“His courage in the face of his difficult health challenges was truly inspiring, and his passing is a great loss to our state,” said the chief justice.

Before his service in the state Legislature, Nakashima was an educator. He taught history and economics at Honokaʻa High School and was a staff member with the Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association in West Hawaiʻi and Hilo.

He previously worked as a legislative aide for former state Reps. Hamakawa and Dwight Takamine. It was Takamine’s seat he was elected to in 2008. The Honokaʻa man also previously served as staff assistant to Hawaiʻi U.S. Sen. Spark Matsunaga.

Nakashima received a bachelor’s degree in education and a professional diploma in education with an emphasis in political science from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.

“Thank you for everything that you have done. You are appreciated and will be greatly missed,” Dorianne Brown of Honokaʻa posted Friday on the late legislator’s Facebook wall. “Honokaʻa High School class of ’81. Fly with angels.”

Nakashima was the first lawmaker to call Big Island state Rep. Chris Todd after he was appointed in 2017 to the state Legislature. Todd said in a post Thursday on Instagram that throughout their time together at the Capitol, his colleague was always a calm and reliable source of wisdom and laughter.

He never heard Nakashima say a bad word about anyone or see him complain or sulk.

“I will miss his laughter and sage advice,” wrote Todd. “Our state has lost one of the good ones.”

For a time, Wes Kam and Nakashima’s lives revolved around their friendship and time as Jaycees. They also seemed to follow after each other when it came to serving in leadership roles in the different chapters and levels in which they were members.

They often roomed together on trips to the mainland and neighbor islands for the organization, sometimes leading to situations of hilarity. Kam recalled one such trip Friday on Facebook.

“Here we are at the 2002 Junior Chamber International (JCI) World Congress in Las Vegas, where he was a national vice president. We were preparing to host a banzai party, and Mark wanted to be the ‘Big Kahuna,’ sacrificing convention virgins and sharing his ‘salty nuts’ (macadamia),” he wrote, reminiscing about his friend. “Will one day join you, Mark, and reminisce about our good times together. Godspeed!”

Hawaiʻi Senate President Ronald Kouchi said in a statement that Nakashima’s wry sense of humor is one thing for which the late Big Island lawmaker will be forever remembered.

He called his colleague an unselfish public servant with an easygoing manner who set the benchmark for dealing with life’s adversities with quiet strength and resilience.

“My thoughts and prayers go out to his close friends and family, and hope they may find solace in these trying times,” said Kouchi.

Darryl Honda was feeling broken at 6:18 a.m. Friday where he lives in San Francisco when he posted about his cousin Mark. He got the news of Nakashima’s death while having dinner Thursday night.

“I am still just numb this morning, trying to process this,” wrote Honda, who grew up in Honolulu. “So very sad.”

Like everyone before and after him in comments, replies and posts, he expressed his condolences to the entire Nakashima family, especially his cousin’s wife Yvette and Nakashima’s mother Auntie Betty and sister Sandra Jakob.

He ruminated about how Lee and Nakashima’s first anniversary was just around the corner, a milestone they now will never get to share and pondered over how it was only a little more than a year ago when the couple were in San Francisco and they were all together celebrating his cousin’s successful kidney transplant.

Honda also contemplated how he is only a year younger than Nakashima while thinking back to times gone by and his cousin no longer being here.

“I’ll remember all the good times, playing together as kids behind your mother’s store back in Honokaʻa, Summer Fun in Pāʻauhau,” he wrote. “I’m gonna miss you plenty. Rest in Paradise, cuz.”