Kim Coco Iwamoto

{{BLP sources section|date=September 2024}}

Iwamoto was born on the island of Kauai and is of Japanese descent. Her mother went into labor at a private party hosted by Grace Guslander to celebrate the expansion of her Coco Palms Resort, and Iwamoto was then born the next day. Guslander visited Iwamoto's mother in the hospital with a bouquet of flowers, a card, and a request to name Iwamoto “Coco” after her hotel.

Iwamoto attended Kaimukī Community Christian Pre-School on Oʻahu, Hōkūlani Elementary School, Aliʻiōlani Elementary School, and Hanahauʻoli School. She later attended and graduated from Saint Louis School in 1986. She went on to qualify as an Associate of Arts in Merchandising at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Subsequently, she received a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing from San Francisco State University and a Juris Doctor from the University of New Mexico School of Law.

In 2011, Iwamoto completed Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government as a David Bohnett Foundation LGBTQ Victory Institute Leadership Fellow.

Iwamoto's paternal great-grandparents left Japan to work in the sugar cane plantations of Kauaʻi. Her paternal grandmother met her paternal grandfather at Tip-Top Restaurant on Kauai, where she was working as a cashier. The two used their family cars to start a taxi company, which eventually expanded into a tour company and a rental car company. Iwamoto's father began working for the family business in high school as a car washer, and their collective efforts became known as Roberts Hawaii.

Iwamoto's maternal grandparents left Japan to grow cantaloupe and other produce in Imperial Valley, California. During World War II, Iwamoto's mother and her family were forced into internment camps in Poston, Arizona. Iwamoto's uncles were released from the internment camp to enlist in the military to serve the United States of America. Eventually, the entire family was released and they returned to their farm. When Iwamoto's mother was in high school, she contributed to the family business by taking care of all the bookkeeping.

Shortly after finishing her undergraduate degree, Iwamoto moved back to New York City, where she attended the Fashion Institute of Technology. Using her own life experience as a transgender woman, she spent time volunteering at a local community center, helping youth develop leadership skills. It was here that her passions for helping homeless youth and LGBTQ homeless youth were fostered. Helping youth like the ones she worked with in New York was part of her motivation for attending law school. When she returned to Hawaii, she became a licensed therapeutic foster parent.{{Cite web|url=https://www.kimcoco.com/meet-kim-coco/|title=Meet Kim Coco}} Her foster children would ask her to testify to the Hawaii Board of Education to share their experiences of being bullied and harassed as out trans and gay teenagers.{{Cite web |title=With Kim Coco Iwamoto, Hawaii Could Make Trans History |url=https://www.advocate.com/current-issue/2018/7/16/kim-coco-iwamoto-hawaii-could-make-trans-history |access-date=August 9, 2024 |website=www.advocate.com |language=en}}

Iwamoto's other work experiences include serving as Managing Attorney at Volunteer Legal Services Hawaii and facilitating affordable housing through AQuA Rentals, LLC (Affordable Quality Apartment Rentals, LLC). Her volunteer work includes serving on the board of directors for both Kūlia Nā Mamo and Hawaiʻi People's Fund.{{Cite web|url=https://www.kimcoco.com/experience/|title=Experience - Kim Coco Iwamoto}} Iwamoto also co-founded the Hawaii Chamber of Sustainable Commerce, a collective of about 250 businesses as of June 2024.{{Cite web |last=Nakaso |first=Dan |date=June 2, 2024 |title=Established Hawaii business groups question fledgling chamber |url=https://www.staradvertiser.com/2024/06/02/hawaii-news/established-hawaii-business-groups-question-fledgling-chamber/ |access-date=August 9, 2024 |website=Honolulu Star-Advertiser |language=en}}

Iwamoto served two terms with the Hawaii Board of Education, Oahu-at-Large, from 2006 to 2011. Her election as a trans woman in November 2006 made her, at that time, the highest-ranking openly transgender elected official in the United States and the first openly transgender official to win statewide office.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/hawaiian-becomes-highest-elected-transgender-official|title=Hawaiian Becomes Highest-Elected Transgender Official|agency=Associated Press|date=November 16, 2006|publisher=Fox News|access-date=October 12, 2009|archive-date=March 18, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090318190503/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,229937,00.html|url-status=bot: unknown}} She was reelected in 2010 with 25% more votes than in 2006.{{cite web|url=http://hawaii.gov/elections/results/2010/general/files/histatewide.pdf|title=Hawaii Office of Elections: 2010 general election results}} Later, Iwamoto served as a commissioner on the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, appointed by Governor Neil Abercrombie to serve a four-year term from 2012 to 2016.

She ran for the 13th State Senate district in 2016 but was defeated by Karl Rhoads in a three-way Democratic primary.

{{Main|2018 Hawaii gubernatorial election#Lieutenant governor}}

Iwamoto announced her bid for Lieutenant Governor in November 2017.{{Cite web|url=http://www.kitv.com/story/36768810/kim-coco-iwamoto-announces-bid-for-lieutenant-governor|title=Kim Coco Iwamoto announces bid for Lieutenant Governor|access-date=April 3, 2018|archive-date=February 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180208002107/http://www.kitv.com/story/36768810/kim-coco-iwamoto-announces-bid-for-lieutenant-governor|url-status=dead}} She was endorsed by the Sierra Club of Hawaii,{{Cite web|url=https://www.votesierraclubhawaii.com/|title=Home|website=Vote Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi|language=en-US|access-date=July 6, 2018|archive-date=July 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180706104151/https://www.votesierraclubhawaii.com/|url-status=dead}} Victory Fund,{{Cite web|url=https://victoryfund.org/news/2018-endorsements-round8/|title=Victory Fund Endorses 37 More LGBTQ Candidates for 2018}} Maui Time Weekly,{{Cite web|url=https://www.mauitime.com/news/politics/mauitime-endorses-kim-coco-iwamoto-for-lieutenant-governor-in-2018-primary-election/amp/|title=Maui Time Endorses Kim Coco|work=Maui Time |date=August 2, 2018 }} Our Revolution Oʻahu Chapter,{{Cite web|title=Our Revolution Oʻahu Chapter| website=Facebook |url=https://www.facebook.com/ourrevolutionoahu/photos/rpp.398206904028889/403682163481363/?type=3&theater}} Unite Here! Local 5,{{Cite web|title=Game Changer in Race for Lieutenant Governor - Kim Coco Endorsed by Local 5|url=http://www.kitv.com/story/38419669/game-changer-in-race-for-lieutenant-governor-kim-coco-endorsed-by-local-5|access-date=June 21, 2018|archive-date=June 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622032937/http://www.kitv.com/story/38419669/game-changer-in-race-for-lieutenant-governor-kim-coco-endorsed-by-local-5|url-status=dead}} politician Gary Hooser,{{Cite web|title=Why Gary Hooser is Supporting Kim Coco Iwawmoto|date=June 7, 2018|url=https://garyhooser.blog/2018/06/07/why-gary-hooser-is-supporting-kim-coco-iwamoto-to-be-hawaiis-next-lieutenant-governor/}} activist Mari Matsuda,{{Cite web|title=Testimonials, Kim Coco|url=https://www.kimcoco.com/our-story/|access-date=April 3, 2018|archive-date=April 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180403174502/https://www.kimcoco.com/our-story/|url-status=dead}} and advocate and teacher Maya Soetoro-Ng, among others. She came in fourth place, losing the nomination to Senator Josh Green.{{Cite web|url=https://elections.hawaii.gov/election-results/|title=Hawaii Office of Elections Results}}

{{Main|2024 Hawaii House of Representatives election#District 26}}

In 2020, Iwamoto ran unsuccessfully against incumbent House speaker Scott Saiki in the Democratic primary for the 26th State House district. She contested him again in 2022 for the 25th district, losing in both primaries by around 200 votes.

In 2024, Iwamoto won the 2024 primary against Saiki. Iwamoto was unchallenged in the general election and was elected to represent the 25th district.{{Cite web |author=H. N. N. Staff |date=August 11, 2024 |title=In contentious District 25 race, Kim Coco Iwamoto unseats House Speaker Scott Saiki |url=https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2024/08/11/house-speaker-goes-head-to-head-with-familiar-opponent-primary-election/ |access-date=August 11, 2024 |website=www.hawaiinewsnow.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Nakaso |first=Dan |date=August 11, 2024 |title=Kim Coco Iwamoto upsets House Speaker Scott Saiki in Primary Election |url=https://www.staradvertiser.com/2024/08/11/hawaii-news/iwamoto-pulls-ahead-of-saiki-in-close-state-house-race/ |access-date=August 11, 2024 |website=Honolulu Star-Advertiser |language=en}} Upon taking office, she became the first openly transgender state legislator in Hawaii history.

{{Main|2024 Hawaii House of Representatives election#District 25}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=Hawaii's 25th House District Democratic primary election, 2024}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|party=Democratic Party (United States)|candidate=Kim Coco Iwamoto|votes=2649|percentage={{percentage|2649|{{sum|2395|2649}}|1|pad=yes}}}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Democratic Party (United States)|candidate=Scott Saiki (incumbent)|votes=2395|percentage={{percentage|2395|{{sum|2395|2649}}|1|pad=yes}}}}

{{Election box total no change|votes={{sum|2649|2395}}|percentage=100%}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Main|2022 Hawaii House of Representatives election#District 25}}

{{Election box begin no change

|title = Hawaii's 25th House District Democratic primary election, 2022

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Scott Saiki (incumbent)

| votes = 2680

| percentage = {{percentage|2680|{{sum|2680|2519}}|1|pad=yes}}

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Kim Coco Iwamoto

| votes = 2519

| percentage = {{percentage|2519|{{sum|2680|2519}}|1|pad=yes}}

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = {{sum|2680|2519}}

| percentage = 100%

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Main|2020 Hawaii House of Representatives election#District 26}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title =Hawaii's 26th District House of Representatives election, 2020}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Scott Saiki (incumbent)

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 3,393

| percentage = 51.3

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Kim Coco Iwamoto

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 3,226

| percentage = 48.7

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 6,619

| percentage= 100

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Main|2018 Hawaii gubernatorial election#Lieutenant governor}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Democratic primary for Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii election, 2018{{cite web|url=https://elections.hawaii.gov/wp-content/results/histatewide.pdf |title=Primary Election 2018 -State of Hawaii – Statewide |access-date=August 12, 2018|publisher=Hawaii Office of Elections}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Josh Green

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 74,845

| percentage = 31.4

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Jill Tokuda

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 68,124

| percentage = 28.6

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Bernard Carvalho

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 45,825

| percentage = 19.2

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Kim Coco Iwamoto

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 34,243

| percentage = 14.3

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Will Espero

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 15,463

| percentage = 6.5

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 238,500

| percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Main|2016 Hawaii Senate election#District 13}}

{{Election box begin no change |title= 2016 Hawaii's 13th Senate District Democratic Primary election }}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Karl Rhoads

|votes = 3,606

|percentage = 41.8%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Kim Coco Iwamoto

|votes = 2,530

|percentage = 29.4%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Keone Nakoa

|votes = 1,865

|percentage = 21.6%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = N/A

|candidate = Blank Votes

|votes = 612

|percentage = 7.1%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = N/A

|candidate = Over Votes

|votes = 7

|percentage = 0.1%

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 8,620

|percentage = 100.0%

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = 2010 Hawaii Board of Education election[https://files.hawaii.gov/elections/files/results/2010/general/histatewide.pdf General Election 2010 - State of Hawaii - Statewide]

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Nonpartisan politician

| candidate = Pamela Young

| votes = 117,489

| percentage = 14.7

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Nonpartisan politician

| candidate = Kim Coco Iwamoto

| votes = 102,995

| percentage = 12.9

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Nonpartisan politician

| candidate = Randal M.L. Lee

| votes = 76,682

| percentage = 9.6

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Nonpartisan politician

| candidate = Brian Y. Yamane

| votes = 74,806

| percentage = 9.4

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Nonpartisan politician

| candidate = Melanie Bailey

| votes = 73,052

| percentage = 9.1

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Nonpartisan politician

| candidate = Roger Kiyoshi Takabayashi

| votes = 62,216

| percentage = 7.8

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = N/A

|candidate = Blank Votes

|votes = 291,033

|percentage = 36.4

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = N/A

|candidate = Over Votes

|votes = 96

|percentage = 0.0

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 876,574

| percentage = 100

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = 2006 Hawaii Board of Education election[https://files.hawaii.gov/elections/files/results/2006/general/histatewide.pdf General Election 2006 - State of Hawaii - Statewide]

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Nonpartisan politician

| candidate = Donna R. Ikeda

| votes = 123,345

| percentage = 17.1

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Nonpartisan politician

| candidate = Karen Knudson

| votes = 110,823

| percentage = 15.4

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Nonpartisan politician

| candidate = Kim Coco Iwamoto

| votes = 81,734

| percentage = 11.4

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Nonpartisan politician

| candidate = Terrance W.H. Tom

| votes = 78,205

| percentage = 10.9

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Nonpartisan politician

| candidate = Brian Y. Yamane

| votes = 68,916

| percentage = 9.6

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Nonpartisan politician

| candidate = Darwin L.D. Ching

| votes = 66,332

| percentage = 9.2

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = N/A

|candidate = Blank Votes

|votes = 189,556

|percentage = 26.4

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = N/A

|candidate = Over Votes

|votes = 116

|percentage = 0.0

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 719,027

| percentage = 100

}}

{{Election box end}}

Iwamoto was recognized as a Champion of Change by President Barack Obama.{{Cite web|url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/champions/harvey-milk-champions-of-change/kim-coco-iwamoto|title=The White House President Barack Obama, Champions of Change}}

Iwamoto publicly opposed passage of California's Proposition 8, outlawing same-sex marriages in California. She has stated that Proposition 8 reminds her of her mother's internment during World War II and believes the proposition is a violation of essential civil rights, stating, "The country has acknowledged that [internment] as a mistake, to just go with populous fear to oppress a specific group. I think we're going to look back at this kind of oppression as a mistake."{{Citation | last = Park | first = Gene | title = Islanders protest gay-marriage ban | publisher = Honolulu Star-Bulletin | date = November 16, 2008 | url = http://www.starbulletin.com/news/28801116_Islanders_protest_gay-marriage_ban.html#fullstory | accessdate = September 28, 2006 | archive-date = November 23, 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081123185604/http://www.starbulletin.com/news/28801116_Islanders_protest_gay-marriage_ban.html#fullstory | url-status = dead }}

In 2021, Iwamoto joined with local advocates known as the Wai Ola alliance as a plaintiff in a suit against the United States Navy to stop its plan to double line its underground fuel tanks at Red Hill.{{Cite web|title=Citizen Group Announces Intention To Sue Navy Over Red Hill Tanks|url=https://www.civilbeat.org/beat/citizen-group-announces-intention-to-sue-navy-over-red-hill-tanks/|access-date=November 10, 2021|website=Honolulu Civil Beat|date=November 2, 2021 |language=en}}

In September 2024, Iwamoto and nine others were arrested and cited for alleged obstruction at a protest at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children during a management lockout of unionized nurses. The charges were later dismissed.

• List of transgender public officeholders in the United States

{{notelist}}

{{reflist|30em}}

• [http://labor.hawaii.gov/hcrc/about-us/meet-the-commissioners/meet-the-commissioners/ Hawaii Civil Rights Commission - Meet the Commissioners]
• [http://lilinote.k12.hi.us/STATE/BOE/HomePage.nsf/8525608c005e322585255d7c00545af7/bad831b1cd3c19750a2566f40006a2ad?OpenDocument BOE Member Profile - Kim Coco Iwamoto] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091110064653/http://lilinote.k12.hi.us/STATE/BOE/HomePage.nsf/8525608c005e322585255d7c00545af7/bad831b1cd3c19750a2566f40006a2ad?OpenDocument |date=November 10, 2009 }}
• [http://www.KimCoco.com Kim Coco Iwamoto - BOE Candidate]

{{Hawaii House of Representatives}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Iwamoto, Kim Coco}}

Category:1968 births

Category:American women of Japanese descent in politics

Category:American transgender women

Category:Fashion Institute of Technology alumni

Category:Hawaii politicians of Japanese descent

Category:American LGBTQ people of Asian descent

Category:LGBTQ appointed officials in the United States

Category:LGBTQ people from Hawaii

Category:Living people

Category:Members of the Hawaii Board of Education

Category:People from Kauai County, Hawaii

Category:San Francisco State University alumni

Category:Transgender women politicians

Category:University of New Mexico School of Law alumni

Category:Women in Hawaii politics

Category:21st-century American LGBTQ people

Category:21st-century members of the Hawaii State Legislature

Category:21st-century American women politicians

Category:American transgender politicians

Category:Candidates in the 2018 United States elections

Category:Candidates in the 2020 United States elections

Category:Candidates in the 2022 United States elections