Political campaign sign for James Watariu, running for State House District 18. Sign features blue and yellow colors, with a large font for the candidate's name and a depiction of a yellow water pipe and faucet.

Aloha, I’m Jamie Wataru!

My Life of Service

For me, service is a way of life deeply rooted in the community I am proud to call home. I have been a resident of Hawai‘i Kai since the age of eight, and my love for this island drives everything I do.

My Roots and My Family

My journey began in East O‘ahu schools, Hahaione, Koko Head, Niu Valley, and Kaiser High School. Today, my most important titles are husband and father. I have been married to my wife, Regina, for 34 years, and we are the proud parents of five sons: Jonah, Justus, Josiah, Jace, and Joey.

In what has been perhaps the most meaningful chapter of our lives, Regina and I have opened our home to medically complex infants through the foster care system for more than two decades. Caring for Hawai‘i’s most vulnerable keiki is a personal commitment that defines our family’s values.

Hard Work and The Trade

I believe in the dignity of hard work. I began my 35-year career as an apprentice with Plumbers Union Local 675. Since 1998, I have served as a Journeyman Plumber for the State of Hawai‘i, maintaining critical infrastructure across O‘ahu. As a Safety Representative, I have made it my mission to advocate for the safety and well-being of my fellow public employees.

Giving Back to the Community

I bring decades of experience serving on government boards, non-profits, and labor organizations to the State House.

Civic & Board Leadership

  • Chair & Trustee: State of Hawai'i Employer-Union Trust Fund (EUTF)

  • Board Member: Blood Bank of Hawai'i, Hawai'i Food Bank, and Goodwill Industries of Hawai'i 

  • Former Chair: Honolulu Fire Commission 

  • Former Member: Honolulu Zoning Appeals Board 

  • Union Leadership: Current VP, AFL-CIO Hawai'i Chapter; Former State President, United Public Workers (UPW) 

Dedication to Kaiser High School

  • Coach & Mentor: I have served as a football and powerlifting coach, as well as a volunteer sports announcer.

  • Supporter: I am active with the Kaiser High School Athletic Foundation.

Fundraiser: For the past 10 years, I have ordered and cooked food for the concession stand during football season, helping to raise tens of thousands of dollars for our student-athletes.

I’m running for Hawaii State House to represent District 18. I believe leadership should be practical, transparent and rooted in listening to the people who live here.

Group of five people smiling and taking a photo together at a social gathering, with tropical decor and string lights in the background.

Why I’m running …

People in our district are feeling the pressure of rising costs, safety concerns, and a government that often moves too slowly. I’m running to bring steady leadership and clear priorities to the State Capitol, with a focus on follow-through and accountability.

My Priorities:

  • Public Safety and Order
    Keeping neighborhoods safe and orderly by supporting effective policing and clear consequences that protect residents and businesses.

  • Accountable, Results-Driven Government
    Running government with fiscal discipline, transparency, and clear timelines, ensuring projects are delivered on time, on budget, and with measurable outcomes.

  • Protecting Our Natural Landscapes
    Preserving open spaces and shorelines by preventing overdevelopment, enforcing existing rules and ensuring growth is measured, responsible, and aligned with long term environmental and cultural stewardship.

Before I finalize my priorities however, I need to hear from you! If you have two minutes, please take my community survey below:

TAKE SURVEY
A man smiling at a political event inside a convention center with an American-themed sign that says 'Hawaii DNC 2024' and flowers in the foreground.
Three people taking a selfie on the beach near a white fence, with a beach area, children, and people in the background.
A person holding a sign that reads 'HARRIS WALZ' at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, August 2024, with an American flag, surrounded by a large crowd and multiple flags, inside a brightly lit stadium with a large screen displaying the DN
Crowd at a political event with balloons, flags, and banners, celebrating at a rally for DNC 2024, with a man in the foreground making a hand gesture and smiling
A smiling man in a pink patterned shirt with a blue lanyard, standing in front of a large sign that says 'HAWAII' with the American flag and 'DNC 2024' at a convention or event venue.
Three men posing together indoors, decorated with string lights hanging from the ceiling.
A smiling man and woman taking a selfie in front of a Japanese pagoda surrounded by trees, with a clear blue sky overhead.
Three people standing in front of Senso-ji Temple in Tokyo, Japan, with colorful autumn trees and a clear blue sky in the background.
Two men shaking hands in front of a wall with an insignia and a banner for IBEW Local 1260.
Group of six people, three women and three men, standing outdoors in front of large tropical plants with lights, smiling.

Endorsements

Logo with a map of the Hawaiian Islands, two hands shaking, and text 'Hawaii State AFL-CIO' around the border.
Logo of the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly featuring a blue graphic of three hands clasped together above the text.
Graphic emblem with a clenched fist at the center, surrounded by lightning bolts, with text around the circle reading "G.C.M.W. I.B.E.W. Local 1260" and "EST. JUNE 2, 1941" on a black background.
Oval logo of the International Union of Elevator Constructors with a map of Hawaii, Guam, and other islands in the Pacific, containing the text 126, 1947, and a depiction of a small elevator door.
Emblem for IBEW Local 1357, representing Hawaii and CNMI, featuring a clenched fist holding a tool with lightning bolts and world map in the background, surrounded by decorative red and black triangles and the text 'Telecommunication Workers'.
Logo with a Hawaiian flag pattern, the word "LOCAL" in blue and orange, and green Hawaii islands, with the text "CEMENT FINISHERS" and "PLASTERERS" below.
Emblem of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers with flags of the United States and United Kingdom, and a map of Hawaii, indicating Local 186 in Hawaii.
Emblem for Iron Workers Local 625 in Hawaii, featuring American and Hawaiian flags, and symbols of blacksmithing, with the text 'Iron Workers' and 'Hawaii'.
Seal of the Hawaii Ports Marine Tradees Department featuring a map of the Pacific with Hawaii in blue, surrounded by a rope border, with text in blue and black.