Kusch chosen to succeed Rep. Nakashima – West Hawaii Today

HONOLULU — Gov. Josh Green on Friday announced the appointment of Matthias Kusch to fill the House District seat left vacant by the death of Rep. Mark Nakashima, who was unopposed in the recent primary election.

Kusch was among three candidates sent to the governor by the state Democratic Party, in accordance with state law. The other two were former state lawmaker Dwight Takamine and Kristen Alice Apruzzese, director of community relations for Hope Services.

Kusch is a retired Hawaii Fire Department Battalion Chief, a coffee and citrus farmer, affordable housing advocate, president of Hilo Bayfront Trails, Windward Planning Commission member and maintains a variety of other business and volunteer ventures.

In a press release, Green extended “a special appreciation” to Takamine for his “extensive history of service and his willingness to serve once more. We are considering asking him to serve in a different and perhaps more fitting role.”

After interviewing all three candidates, the governor selected Kusch given his experience as a firefighter and the state’s need to have someone with that experience and voice in the Legislature, according to the press release.

Kusch will represent House District 1 (Hamakua and a portion of Hilo, Kaumana).

“I am grateful to Governor Green for appointing me to this seat and will do my utmost to uphold the values and deep respect that the late Rep. Nakashima brought to our district,” Kusch said in the release. “As a former PTA and SCC president of EB deSilva Elementary School in Hilo, our team worked closely with Rep. Nakashima and Sen. (Lorraine) Inouye in their successful effort to secure nearly $3 million for classroom and related improvements and design.

“I have served my community during my career, and this is the next step to continue that service, on a larger canvas.”