Retired Big Island fire battalion chief appointed to House seat left vacant by late Rep. Nakashima

A House District seat on Hawai‘i Island left vacant by the untimely passing of Rep. Mark Nakashima has been filled.

Gov. Josh Green appointed Matthias Kusch to represent House District 1, which encompasses Hāmākua, a portion of Hilo, Kaūmana. Kusch was among three candidates sent to the governor by the state Democratic Party, in accordance with state law.

Kusch is a retired Hawaiʻi Fire Department Battalion Chief, a coffee and citrus farmer, affordable housing advocate, President of Hilo Bayfront Trails, Windward Planning Commission member and maintains a variety of other business and volunteer ventures.

After interviewing all three candidates, the governor selected Kusch given his experience as a firefighter and the state’s need to have someone with that experience and voice in the legislature.

Green chose Kusch over former Rep. and Sen. Dwight Takamine from Honoka‘a. The governor extended a “special appreciation” for his history of service and willingness to serve once more.

“We are considering asking him to serve in a different and perhaps more fitting role,” Green added.

Kusch expressed his gratitude to Green for appointing him to Nakashima’s seat saying he will do his “utmost to uphold the values and deep respect that the late Rep. Nakashima brought to our district.”

“As a former PTA and SCC president of EB deSilva Elementary School in Hilo, our team worked closely with Rep. Nakashima and Sen. Inouye in their successful effort to secure nearly $3 million for classroom and related improvements and design,” Kusch said. “I have served my community during my career, and this is the next step to continue that service, on a larger canvas.”

Nakashima suddenly passed away in July. First elected to his seat in 2008, he ran unopposed in the primary election in August.