Mark Nakashima Obituary

MARK MASASHI NAKASHIMA Mark Masashi Nakashima, 61, of Honoka'a, Hawai'i, died on July 11, 2024, surrounded by family and friends. He was born in Hilo, Hawai'i, on March 27, 1963 to Earl and Betty Nakashima. He graduated with a Bachelor of Education with a political science emphasis from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. He was a Staff Assistant to US Senator Spark Matsunaga in Washington, DC, a teacher at various schools in Hawai'i including his alma mater Honoka'a High and Intermediate School, and a Legislative Specialist and UniServ Director with the Hawaii State Teachers Association. In 2008, he was elected to the Hawaii State House of Representatives. He represented the constituents of District 1 (Hamakua, Hilo) for 17 years holding various State House leadership positions, serving as a relentless advocate and a powerful voice for his community. He was active with the US-Japan Council, Hilo Medical Center Foundation, the Hamakua Lions, and was honored as JCI Senator #63596 by the Hawaii State Jaycees. Mark is survived by his wife Yvette Lee Nakashima and stepchildren Royce and Loryn Hirai; mother Betty Nakashima; sister Sandra (Greg) Jakob and their children Royce, Chasen, and Kayley; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. Services will be held in Hilo and Honolulu. Hilo Sangha Hall on Sun., Oct. 20, 2024 with visitation at 9:00 a.m. and Buddhist Service at 11:00 a.m. Hawaii State Capitol Rotunda on Fri., Oct. 25, 2024 with visitation at 10:00 a.m. and Memorial Service at 11:00 a.m. Signing of the memorial book will be available until 2:00 p.m. on both days. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly suggests a donation to the Kidney Foundation of Hawaii.