About

Background & Education

Background:

Resident of Kapa'a, Hawai'i
Married to Galen Nakamura, attorney-at-law for 29 years
Mother of Casey (22), attending Army Officer Candidate School, and Reis (18), student at Western Washington University
Member of All Saints' Episcopal Church, Kaua'i
Daughter of Hiroyoshi Maeda (deceased) and Mabel Maeda
In-laws: Henry "Hank" Nakamura (deceased) and Doris Nakamura

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

Experience:

State House of Representatives, District 14, 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

Awards:

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"

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