Mark Nakashima

Mark Masashi Nakashima was an American politician who was a Democratic member of the Hawaii House of Representatives. He was first elected in 2008, and represented the first district, including Hamakua, North Hilo, and South Hilo.
After obtaining a bachelor's degree in education from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in 1988, he taught at Castle High School and Olomana School's Alder Street Detention Home before transferring back to his alma mater, Honokaa High & Intermediate School. He was also a staff assistant to U.S. Senator Spark Matsunaga. From 1993 until his election to the state legislature, he worked for the Hawaii State Teachers Association, the state affiliate of the National Education Association. While in office, Nakashima helped to raise the minimum wage.
He died in Honolulu on July 11, 2024, at the age of 61.