A political campaign sign for James Wataru running for State House District 18. The sign has a blue background with yellow and white text and graphics, including a yellow pipe and a faucet.

Aloha, I’m Jamie!

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

My dedication extends beyond the job site. I have spent decades advocating for working families as Vice President of the Hawai‘i State Federation of Labor (AFL-CIO) and as President of the Hawai‘i Chapter of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA). I also work to protect health benefits for state and county employees as Chair and Trustee of the EUTF.

Locally, I strive to keep our neighborhoods safe and resilient, currently sitting on the City and County of Honolulu Zoning Board of Appeals and having previously chaired the Honolulu Fire Commission. Whether serving on the boards of the Foodbank and Blood Bank, or cooking meals for the Kaiser High football concession stand (my alma mater where I’ve volunteered for over 40 years), my goal remains the same: to build a stronger, more caring Hawai‘i for generations to come.

A man standing at a political event with a large floral display and a sign that reads 'Hawaii' and 'DNC 2024' in the background.
A group of three people taking a selfie on a beach with children and adults in the background, some walking and others standing near a white fence, with tropical plants and buildings behind.
A smiling man holding a blue sign that says 'HARRIS WALZ' and American flags, at the Democratic National Convention 2024 in Chicago, with a large crowd and a big screen showing the DNC 2024 logo and event details in the background.
Crowd at a political rally with balloons and flags, large screen displaying 'DNC 2024', and supporters holding signs for Kamala Harris and Vermont.
A man smiling and making a shaka sign with his hand, standing near a sign that reads 'Hawaii DNC 2024' with flowers attached to the sign, at a political event or convention venue.
Three men standing together in a dimly lit room with string lights hanging from the ceiling, posing for a photo. All are smiling and wearing casual shirts.
Two smiling people taking a selfie outdoors with a traditional Japanese pagoda in the background. The man on the left has short gray hair and is wearing a jacket and glasses around his neck. The woman on the right has medium-length dark hair and glas
Three people standing together in front of Senso-ji Temple in Tokyo, Japan, with a five-story pagoda in the background. The scene includes colorful autumn foliage, with some trees still green and others showing red and yellow leaves, and a clear blue
Two men shaking hands inside an office with a Brotherhood of Electrical Workers emblem on the wall behind them and a large banner to the side reading IBEW 1260.
Group of six young adults and one older man standing outdoors, surrounded by tall green tropical plants and warm string lights, smiling for a photo.

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.

Endorsements

A circular logo with a map of the Caribbean and South America at the top, and two shaking hands at the bottom. The handshake has the abbreviation 'AFL' on one arm and 'CIO' on the other. The surrounding text reads 'Hawaï State AFL-CIO' with two small stars on either side.
Logo of the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly with a blue emblem of stylized hands clasped together above the text.
Emblem with a clenched fist and lightning bolts emanating from it, surrounded by the words 'G.W.H. LOCAL 1260' and 'UAW I.B.E.W.' with a date 'EST. JUNE 2, 1941' at the bottom.
Oval logo of the International Union of Elevator Constructors featuring the acronym IUEC with a map of Hawaii, Guam, and other islands, and a small elevator graphic, with text indicating the location as Hawaii, Guam, established in 1947.
Emblem for IBEW Local 1357, representing Hawaii and CNMI, featuring a fist holding a tool with lightning bolts and green landmasses, surrounded by the words 'Telecommunication Workers'.
Design with the words 'LOCAL 639' and 'LOCAL 630', featuring the Hawaii state outline, a Hawaiian flag motif, and the United Kingdom flag, with text 'CEMENT FINISHERS' and 'PLASTERERS' beneath each respective side.
The emblem of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers featuring flags of the United States and the United Kingdom, with the text "Local 186 Hawaii" and a map of Hawaii, along with a clenched fist surrounded by lightning bolts, and the phrase "Organized Nov. 28, 1891."
Badge with American and Hawaiian flags, text reading 'Iron Workers Local 625 Hawaii,' and symbols of tools and the state seal of Hawaii.
Seal of the Hawaii Ports, Marine Maritime Trades Department featuring a globe with the Pacific Ocean highlighted in blue, surrounded by black text and a gold rope border.