KAHULU, MauiI >> State Rep. Robert Nakasone died Sunday at his home after a long fight with cancer.

Nakasone, 68, won re-election running in his 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, he said he was feeling “;pretty good”; and looking forward to serving another term.

Arrangements for his funeral were pending, a friend said.

Nakasone served 16 years in the state House.

In a prepared statement, Gov. Linda Lingle called Nakasone a tireless public servant. “I’m deeply saddened by the death of my former fellow Maui council member and colleague Rep. Bob Nakasone,” Lingle said.

“During the time I served on the Maui County Council and as Maui County Mayor, I had the privilege of working closely with Rep. Nakasone on key issues of importance to Maui, and this collaborative relationship continued during the past six years since I became Governor. Specifically, Bob was focused on increasing funding for capital improvement projects for the county and statewide, a priority he maintained throughout his tenure as a state representative.”

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

She said state flags would be flown at half-staff on the day of Nakasone’s funeral.