ABOUT ME

Nadine K. Nakamura

District 15 - Hanalei | Princeville | Kīlauea | Anahola | Kapa‘a | Wailua 

 

Meet Nadine

Rep. Nakamura was first elected in 2016 to the State of Hawaii, House of Representatives, District 15. She currently serves as Majority Leader, Chair of the House Committee of Legislative Management, as well as being a member of both the Tourism and Economic Development Committees.

Prior to her election, Nadine served as Managing Director of the County of Kaua`i.  She was elected in 2010 and 2012 to serve on the Kaua`i County Council.  Prior to serving in elected office, Ms. Nakamura, owned and operated NKN Project Planning for over twenty years.  Her planning experience spans public, private, and nonprofit sectors.  Ms. Nakamura’s professional experience includes land use and policy analysis, affordable housing development, transportation planning, neighborhood planning, economic development planning, community participation, organizational development, and strategic planning.

Nadine was born and raised in Hawai'i. She lives in Kapa'a, Kaua'i and has two children, Casey and Reis.

“There are still so many causes worth sacrificing for, so much history yet to be made.”
— Michelle Obama, Former First Lady

ACHIEVEMENTS

Background:

  • Resident of Kapa'a, Hawai'i

  • Married to Galen Nakamura, attorney-at-law for 29 years (deceased)

  • Mother to Casey (28), 3rd year law student and Reis (24), Americorp Paralegal intake, Legal Aid Society of Hawaii

  • Member of All Saints' Episcopal Church, Kaua'i and Tenrikyo Church, O’ahu

Education:

  • University of Southern California, Bachelors of Science, Public Affairs and Urban Planning, 1983

  • University of Hawai'i at Manoa, Masters in Urban and Regional Planning, 1987

  • Neighborhood Reinvestment Corp. Training Institutes

  • International City/County Managers Association Training

Awards:

  • 2021 Certificate of Merit, Department of Land and Natural Resources for “Outstanding Service as a Team Member of the Ha’ena State Park Remediation & Master Plan Implementation Team”

  • 2021 Preservation Honor Award, Historic Hawai’i Foundation, “Haena State Park Master Plan”

  • 2019 Pathfinder Midwifery Champion Award, Midwives Alliance of Hawaii

  • 2014 Na Wahine Alaka`i O Kaua`i Women Leaders of Kaua`i                   Ha`upu Award, YWCA of Kaua`i

  • 2011 American Planning Assoc, Hawaii Chapter,  Environment/Preservation Award  for "Lawai Kai Special Subzone Master Plan & Management Plan," written for National Tropical Botanical Garden

  • 2008 Recipient of "Outstanding Urban and Regional Planning Alumni Award," Department of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Hawaii at Manoa

  • 2007-2009 Recipient of "Outstanding Service to the Keiki of Kapa`a Elementary School"

Experience:

  • State House Majority Leader, 2023 - Present

  • State House of Representatives, District 15, 2017-Present

  • Managing Director, County of Kaua'i, 2013-2016

  • County Council Member, 2010-2013

  • Planning Consultant and Owner of NKN Project Planning, 1992-2012

  • Project Coordinator, Pacific Housing Assistance Corp.,1991-1992

  • Planner VI, Department of Land Utilization,  City & County of Honolulu, 1989-1991

  • Planner V, Department of Transportation, City & County of Honolulu, 1987-1989

  • Development Coordinator, Neighborhood Reinvestment Corp, 1985-1987

  • Planner, Staff Researcher, Hawaii Community Development Authority, 1984-1985

Community:

Strengthening Community:

  • Facilitated group meetings and wrote first County of Kaua'i Community Drug Response Plan, 2004

  • Worked with numerous nonprofit organizations including the Kaua'i Public Land Trust, Boys and Girls Clubs of Hawai'i, Leadership Kaua'i, Rotary Club of Kapa'a, and various church groups

  • Co-developed the Hawai'i Ownership Center, a statewide nonprofit that educates and counsels first-time home buyers

  • Co-developed the Kaua'i Planning & Action Alliance, a Kaua'i-based nonprofit that brings people together to create a better future for Kaua'i

GIVING BACK TO KAUA’I & THE STATE OF HAWAI’I

  • Raised over $100,000 in grant funds, and managed Kapa'a Elementary After-School program, "Dolphin Clubs," with 25 classes and serving over 400 students per year, 2006-2010

  • Kapa'a Elementary and Middle School Community Council, Chair 2006-2010

  • Served as Vice Chair of the Hawai`i Tourism Authority

  • Served as Vice Chair of the State Housing Development Corporation of Hawai`i

  • Served as Board member of the Hawai`i Community Reinvestment Corporation, a statewide nonprofit organization that provides low-interest loans for affordable rental housing throughout the State of Hawai`i

Hawaii State Capitol-Room 439, 415 S. Beretania Street, Honolulu, HI, 96813

Representative Nadine K. Nakamura