Kim Coco Iwamoto is Hawaii’s first transgender House representative

Kim Coco Iwamoto made history by becoming the first openly trans representative elected to the Hawaii House of Representatives, a major achievement for the LGBTQIA+ movement. The Democratic politician defeated Scott Saiki, who had held the 25th District seat since 2017 and was the speaker of the house, in the primary election held on Sunday (August 11).

District 25, which encompasses Honolulu and Kaka’ako, is an area undergoing transformation, with recent infrastructure improvements. The campaign by Iwamoto, a former school board member and civil rights and queer advocate, focused on progressive policies, including combating homelessness, exposing government corruption and supporting small businesses.

After the victory, Iwamoto expressed surprise and happiness at the outcome, especially after losing two previous elections to Saiki. “It’s amazing to have this experience, especially knowing that so many powerful people supported you,” he said.

Born in Kauai, Hawaii in 1968, Iwamoto has always maintained a strong connection to the state. Her career path has included volunteering in New York City, where she supported homeless youth, particularly LGBT+ individuals, which inspired her career in law and politics.

By Ezatamentchy