KAHULUI » Veteran state House member Robert Nakasone, who served more than a quarter-century in elected office, has died after a long fight with lung cancer.

“;What a sad day for Maui, what a sad day,”; said William Kennison, Maui division director for the International Longshore and Warehouse Union. “;Bob was always a very, very strong supporter of Maui County, and his position in the House Finance Committee was always to get projects for Maui. We always depended on him and relied on him for support. He always came through for us.”;

Nakasone, 68, who died Sunday at his home, won re-election in November, running in the 9th District (Kahului-Lower Paia) after undergoing a round of chemotherapy earlier this year.

He was excused 42 days of the 60-day session this year, but in an interview before the primary election said he was feeling “;pretty good”; and looking forward to serving another term.

Arrangements for his funeral were pending.

Gov. Linda Lingle has ordered that the Hawaii state flag be flown at half-staff on the day of Nakasone's burial.

Nakasone served 16 years in the state House, beginning in 1992, and 10 years on the Maui County Council, ending in 1989 as Council chairman.

He ran unsuccessfully against Maui Mayor Hannibal Tavares in the early 1980s.

Lingle, who served on the Council with Nakasone, said she was saddened by the news of his death.

“;Bob had the best characteristics of an old-style politician - a person who did not showboat, was nonpartisan when it came to achieving things for the people he represented, and a person whose word you could always trust,”; Lingle said.

Council Chairman Riki Hokama said while Nakasone spoke in “;plurals,”; giving credit to House members for legislation, he played a key role in securing major capital improvements for Kahului Harbor and the Kahului Airport and was working on relocating Maui Community Correctional Center from Wailuku to Puunene.

“;It's a big loss,”; Hokama said.

House Speaker Calvin Say described Nakasone as reserved but a leader, especially in tough times.

“;I felt privileged to work beside him. ... He will be greatly missed,”; he said.

The ILWU's Kennison said in Nakasone's initial run for state office, the union chose to support his opponent, then state Rep. Herbert Honda.

Kennison said Nakasone, who was not the type to hold a grudge, came from the old school of politicians who were willing to work with all sides.

“;Next time around, we could support him, and he opened his arms to us,”; Kennison recalled.

Nakasone, born in Paia, was a successful businessman who founded the paint and wall covering distributorship Ameritone Maui in Kahului and Lahaina.

During his term on the Council, he pushed to have Alexander & Baldwin Inc. loosen its hold on owning most industrial land in Kahului and encouraged the firm to sell land to small businesses.

He was elected to the state House in 1992 and served as vice chairman of the Labor and Public Employment Committee.

The Democratic Party is required to provide a list of three persons as a potential successor to Nakasone within 30 days. Lingle has 60 days from the time of the vacancy to appoint a replacement.