Kim Coco Iwamoto has made history as Hawaii’s first transgender House representative, marking a significant moment for both the state and the LGBTQ+ community.
In a closely watched primary election on August 11, Iwamoto, a Democrat and longtime LGBTQ+ rights advocate, unseated fellow Democrat Scott Saiki, the state House speaker since 2017, to claim the 25th district seat. The district covers Honolulu and Kaka’ako, areas with rapid development in recent years. Her victory represents a significant shift in the district, with voters opting for a candidate who champions progressive reforms.
Born on the island of Kauai in 1968, Iwamoto’s deep ties to Hawaii have shaped her career and activism. She attended several schools before graduating from high school in 1986.
After college, Iwamoto moved to New York, where she became involved in grassroots community work, focusing on helping homeless LGBTQ+ youth. This experience inspired her to pursue a legal education, and she later completed a government program at Harvard University in 2011.
Iwamoto went on to serve on the Hawaii State Board of Education, representing O’ahu, becoming the highest-ranking openly transgender elected official in the U.S. at that time.
Iwamoto’s campaign emphasized a platform of progressive values, with key priorities centered on addressing Hawaii’s homelessness crisis, exposing corruption within the government, and supporting small businesses. She has long been an advocate for those who feel left behind by the state’s growing economy, particularly in areas where housing costs have soared. As Hawaii continues to grapple with housing shortages, affordability issues, and infrastructure challenges, Iwamoto’s experience as both an attorney and a former school board member uniquely positions her to bring practical solutions to these pressing issues.
With her election, Iwamoto not only breaks barriers for the transgender community but also sends a message about the power of representation and progressive leadership in Hawaii’s political landscape.
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