Habilitat executive director Jeffrey Nash dies at 57 after battle with cancer

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Jeffrey Nash, the executive director of the addiction treatment center Habilitat, has died after a battle with cancer. He was 59.

Read more Firefighters extinguish 2-alarm fire at commercial building in Waikiki

Loved ones said Jeff Nash passed away Tuesday morning.

Nash dedicated nearly 40 years of his life to Habilitat after graduating from the program himself in 1986 and helped thousands of people rebuild their lives through accountability, hard work, personal growth and community.

Habilitat said Nash rose through the organization’s leadership and became clinical director in 2002, then executive director in 2016.

During his tenure, Nash worked to ensure Habilitat’s long-term stability and future, including expanding resources and acquiring three transitional homes to help program graduates move forward with their lives.

Colleagues said Nash’s greatest impact is the thousands of lives he helped in Habilitat and the people he personally challenged, mentored and believed in.

Read more Crews on Kauai clear road to isolated Hawaiian homelands resident after Hurricane Lowell

“Jeff dedicated his life to Habilitat and to giving others the same opportunity that changed his own life,” said Habilitat’s executive director Becky Harrison. “His leadership helped make Habilitat what it is today, and the foundation he built has positioned us to remain strong for generations to come. We have an incredible team that is committed to continuing his work, honoring his legacy and serving the people who depend on Habilitat.”

Harrison said Nash was like a brother to her and will miss getting his opinion and bouncing ideas off him.

Nash was born in Oklahoma on Aug. 7, 1967, and raised in Texas before he came to Hawaii. He enjoyed playing guitar, sailing, traveling and had a love of birds. He traveled around the world with his mom, Janice, before her passing in 2023.

Habilitat established the Jeff Nash Legacy Fund to honor his life and continue the work he dedicated his life to.

Read more HFD extinguishes fire on Pensacoloa Street

Click here to donate to help continue Habilitat and Nash’s mission.