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Hometown: Honolulu
Travel Specialty: Fusion
Tony Nagatani was born in Honolulu to an Irish mother and Japanese father, and in between many TV production jobs, he’s worked on a number of political campaigns. In 2010, he served as the regional campaign director for President Obama’s campaign in Charlotte, NC.
What excites you the most about travel?
The adventure excites me most about travel. I love waking up in the morning knowing I have a voyage in front of me. I love meeting new people and trying out new things in life. Travel is the best way to do all of that.
What do you like the least about travel?
The thing I hate most about travel is how expensive it is. It makes me wish I had more money or a better job so I could travel a lot more often than I do now. I also hate the TSA lines and bad airport food. Also, since 9/11, I really hate the idea that America and Americans are perceived negatively throughout the world. I feel that it has definitely gotten a lot better over the past 5 years, but I do think that the rest of the world might be mistrustful of the United States. I would love to be a cultural ambassador to help mend some of those fences.
What was your favorite travel adventure?
My favorite travel adventure was when I worked for Barack Obama’s presidential campaign in 2008 and got to live in Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Oregon and North Carolina, talking to and training voters and volunteers, registering voters and sharing that experience with my co-workers. We were a bunch of naïve kids trying to change the world, and we succeeded just a little bit.
What do you like to do for fun?
I love to sing. I have been a singer all my life, so I do a lot of karaoke. I also like to go to movies, go to rock concerts, read books, browse the internet and GO TO VEGAS!!!!
Why do you want to be the next Travel Channel Star?
I think I would be very good at being a TV presenter. I want to teach people about the world around them. I have always wanted the venue to be front and center, helping to craft the production and make a good TV show. Plus, if it’s a Travel Channel show, my life will turn into one great adventure after another.
