Since the 2008 election, the residents of House District 1 have known only Mark Nakashima as their state representative.
Nakashima, 61, died Thursday and was the only candidate who filed papers to run to represent the geographically far-flung district, which encompasses Hamakua and portions of Hilo and Kaumana. The filing deadline to be on the ballot this year was June 4.
Nakashima underwent a kidney transplant last year and had been in a wheelchair since.
Because there will be no living candidate on the ballot for the House District 1 seat for either the primary election on Saturday, Aug. 10, or the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 5, it will be up to Gov. Josh Green to appoint Nakashima’s successor.
“The governor has two appointments he has to make — one to fill the remaining unexpired term, and one to fill the next term that begins on general election day 2024,” Scott Nago, state elections chief, said Friday.
That could be the same person or it could be two different individuals, although the latter would seem an unlikely scenario.
According to law, Nakashima’s successor must be a Democrat. The Hawaii Democratic Party will submit a list of three individuals to the governor, who will select one.
Whomever is appointed by Green is automatically a member of the House after being sworn in, and the appointment is not subject to approval by the Senate, House or full Legislature.
Matthias Kusch is the Hawaii County Democratic Party chairman for District 1, which largely coincides with Nakashima’s district boundaries.
“We are reviewing the rules surrounding the procedure,” said Kusch. “And it’s a little unique because he was unopposed, and it’s after candidate filing deadline. And it’s weeks to the primary, so the ballots are literally printed already.
“We are checking with the leadership within Hawaii County, as well as state Democrats, to ensure all the proper procedures are being followed.”
Kusch said two names already have been brought up for a possible successor, but declined to disclose those names, saying he didn’t “want to create an unfair playing field or to taint or intimidate anybody during the process.”
Kusch said he would email District 1 Democrats to inform them about the process and to seek additional names for possible candidates.
He described Nakashima’s passing as “a huge loss to our district, as evidenced by a completely uncontested race.”
“He was really liked, I think, on all sides, both Democrats and other parties,” Kusch said. “Our condolences go to Mark’s family and friends.”
Hawaii Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald on Friday added his voice to those high-level state officials who publicly expressed condolences on Thursday, including Green, Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke and House Speaker Scott Saiki.
Recktenwald said he was “deeply saddened” to learn of Nakashima’s passing.
“He cared passionately about the people of Hawaii, and was a strong advocate for the Judiciary, especially during the early days of the pandemic when he served as chair of the House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs,” said Recktenwald. “His accomplishments during that time included providing additional funding to support civil legal services, and establishing a much-needed position for an additional judge at our Intermediate Court of Appeals.
“He was a highly skilled and effective legislator, who always treated people with respect and aloha. His courage in the face of his difficult health challenges was truly inspiring, and his passing is a great loss to our state. On behalf of the Judiciary, I extend our aloha and sympathy to his family.”
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.