District 14 – Nadine K. Nakamura (D)

Full Name: Nadine Kuniko Nakamura

Name on Ballot: Nadine K. Nakamura

Age: 54

Political Party: Democrat

Running For: Hawaii House

District: 14

Email Address: nknplan@hawaii.rr.com

Current Job: Planning consultant

Place of birth: Honolulu

Campaign website: NadineNakamura.com

Job history past 10 years:

Kauai County managing director, 2013-June 2016

Kauai County Council, 2010-2013

Planning consultant, 1992-2010

Ever run for public office? If so, when? Outcome? Yes

2010, Kauai County Council, placed 2nd out of top 7 seats

2012, Kauai County Council, placed 1st out of top 7 seats

Other civic experience or community service?

Kapaa Elementary School Community Council, chairwoman

Kapaa Middle School Community Council, chairwoman

Hawaii Tourism Authority, vice chairwoman

Hawaii Housing Finance Development Corp., vice chairwoman

Hawaii Community Reinvestment Corp., board member

Anything else you’d like voters to know about you?

I’m a mother of two children. My daughter will be a junior at Boston University and my son will be a junior at Kapaa High School. My husband is an attorney in private practice. We are caregivers to my 95-year-old mother-in-law.

What makes you qualified to be a state representative?

I have an undergraduate degree from USC in public affairs and urban planning. I have a graduate degree from UH-Manoa in urban and regional planning. I have served three years on the Kauai County Council and the last 2-1/2 years as the Kauai County managing director.

Gov. Ige says he will once again propose increases to the state gas tax, vehicle weight tax and state registration fees to help pay for state road projects. Do you support his proposal?

Traffic congestion is a major concern in my district. We need to increase highway capacity and we need to improve transit main line and shuttle systems on the east side and north shore. If these tax increases will help leverage federal funds for these priority projects, I’m in support.

If the Legislature is again asked to extend Oahu’s half-percent excise tax surcharge to finance construction or operation of the rail system, would you support such an extension?

I would like to see a clear and realistic financing plan for an extension to the University of Hawaii. In addition, all other counties should be given the same authority.

Should the state play a role in cracking down on illegal vacation rentals in Hawaii?

The state should play a role in addressing illegal vacation rentals on state conservation lands and illegal vacation rentals blocking public access along coastal areas. Many of these illegal vacation rentals are not paying Transient Accommodation Taxes.

Should the Legislature require that police officers in Hawaii use “body cameras,” and help to fund the use of those cameras?

Kauai County will be the first county to have police officers use body cameras. The County and SHOPO have agreed to a body cam policy. State resources could be used to purchase cameras, maintain equipment, access video tapes, and train officers.

Dozens of police officers in Hawaii are disciplined each year for committing crimes or violating departmental policies, but little information is released about the officers or their cases. Do you think there needs to be greater public disclosure?

It’s the responsibility of each county police department to use progressive discipline for policy infractions. As these are internal personnel matters, this should not be disclosed to the public. However, police officers that commit a crime should not be treated any differently than other citizens.