House Big Island Caucus Ready to Work

The Big Island Caucus gathers for a picture the day before the Legislative opening.  Pictured from left to right Richard Onishi (Dist 3), Cindy Evans (Dist 7), Clifton Tsuji (Dist 2), Faye Hanohano (Dist 4), Mark Nakashima (Dist 1), Nicole Lowen (Dist 6), Denny Coffman (Dist 5)

Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani College of Hawaiian Language

Since ground breaking on February 12, 2011, the Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani College of Hawaiian Language building has definitely begun to take shape.  A building to house the University's expanding Hawaiian Studies program was identified as a need more than a decade prior to the department achieving collegiate status in 1998.  The  College's rapid growth produced UH Hilo's first Master's and Ph.D. recipients as it gained national prominence as a leader in indigenous language and cultural revitalization, added new programs like linguistics and witnessed a surge in enrollment.


The Legislature approved $28 million during the 2010 legislative session for the project and is estimated to be completed this summer.

North Hawaii Education and Research Center Pavilion

The pavilion has been completed at the North Hawaii Education and Research Center.     The Heritage Center which occupies the first floor of the Phase II and included the addition of a new parking lot and photovoltaic panels came in under budget.  This made it possible for the addition of the pavilion to add to the facilities now available at NHERC.

West Hawaii Democratic Unity Lunch

Council Dist 9 Candidate Margaret Wille, Mark, Sen Malama Solomon, Rep Cindy Evans, Rep Dist 6 Candidate Micole Lowen, Rep Denny Coffman, Sen Gil Kahale. 

Democratic Party East Hawaii Unity Breakfast

In a time honored tradition, the Democratic Party Candidates gather the morning after the Primary Election to express unity for the party ticket going into the General Election.

Democratic Candidates gather for Unity Picture.

Sen. Malama Solomon and Mark pose for photo with US Senator and Mrs. Daniel K. Inouye

Political Guru George Yokoyama with Democratic Congressional Nominee Tulsi Gabbard and Mark

Mark and Representative Elect-Richard Onishi

Primary Election Grand Rally

Family, friends and supporters gather at Mo'oheau Park for mass sign waving along Kamehemeha Avenue prior to the Democratic Party Primary Election Grand Rally.

Ane Keohokalole Highway

In June, the much awaited Ane Keohokalole Highway or the "middle road" opened easing traffic pressures on the busy Queen Kaahumanu Highway and the Mauka Road (Mamalahoa Highway) between Kailua-Kona and Kaloko.  $30.5 million in Federal ARRA or American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds were used to pay for the 2.9 mile roadway giving West Hawaii residents another option to skip much of the Kailua-Kona traffic.