Kiyoshi Nakama (Japanese: 仲間 清,[1] May 21, 1920 – September 8, 2011) was an American freestyle competitive swimmer, who set a world record in the mile, was an All American at Ohio State, and later served as a High School swim coach, teacher and ten-year member of the Hawaii State House of Representatives.

[3] To improve his baseball skills, he played with Puunene's Camp leagues during his High School years as Maui High had no baseball team[4] At Ohio State, where he swam for legendary Head Coach Mike Peppe, he was an All-American in distance freestyle events, and captured six Big Ten, four NCAA, three NAAU indoor and six NAAU outdoor titles.

Nakama played a vital role contributing to Ohio State's National Championship swim teams in 1943 and 1945.

Challenged by muscle cramps and fatigue, and suffering from the stings from Portuguese Men of War, he finished in Hanauma Bay at night in front of thousands of admiring spectators.

In a unique tribute to the greatly admired public servant and athlete, Hawaii's Governor Neil Abercrombie ordered flags to be flown at half staff from sunrise to sunset on Friday, September 30, 2011, the day of his memorial.