District 25 – Robert K. Nagamine (R)

Full name: Robert K. Nagamine

Name on ballot: Robert K. Nagamine

Age: 63

Political party: Republican

Running for: Senate

District: 25

Email: robertnagamine@gmail.com

Current job: Retired

Place of birth: Honolulu

Campaign website:

Robertnagamine.com

Job history past 10 years:

Retired Wing Chaplain, Hawaii Air National Guard, after 33 years of military service, at the end of 2011.

Deployed to Andersen Air Base, Guam, as requested by chaplain service corps, in 2010-2011, due to my successful deployment in 2009.

Deployed to Andersen Air Base, Guam in 2009.

Wing Chaplain for 15th Air Base Wing, Hickam Air Force Base in 2007, while active duty Wing Chaplain deployed to Iraq.

Pastor, First Southern Baptist Church Pearl Harbor.

Ever run for public office? If so, when? Outcome? No, first run for public office.

Other civic experience or community service?

I have taken on work that centered on community/spiritual service. My pastor/ministry service included working with those from preschool to youth to college and singles to the elderly. As a part-time teacher, taught 4-8 graders in schools with the Department of Education. This included Pauoa Elementary and Kalakaua Middle School. Coordinated caregiver respite support for the elderly with Child and Family Service. With the state of Hawaii, facilitated food stamps for the needy.

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

I want the best possible future for our children and grandchildren. Areas that I see help needed are: (1) curbing homelessness, (2) curbing crime, (3) reducing wasteful government spending, (4) improving our education and (5) protecting our environment.

What makes you qualified to be a state senator?

My vast and varied experiences help me identify with the working families of our district. 33 years of military service with both the Hawaii Army and the Hawaii Air National Guard. Was chaplain, pastor/minister, teacher. Coordinated caregiver respite support for the elderly and facilitated food stamps for the needy.

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?

No. We are overtaxed already. We just need to manage our resources better.

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?

No. The rail project spending is out of control. This likely will not be the only increase requested.

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

Yes. If taxes are due, then they must be collected.

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

Police work can be very stressful at times and we don’t want to unnecessarily place additional requirements. Only with balanced and reasonable common-sense input from police and an independent panel should body camera use be implemented. Only limited funding, if any, should be authorized, if needed.

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?

Public disclosure is only necessary where there is overwhelming and indisputable evidence of criminal activity. We must be extremely careful to protect the reputation of individuals, whether they are police officers or not. We must remember that all individuals are “innocent until proven guilty.”