As we celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, I am reminded of the importance of representation in politics. Being Hawaii’s first openly trans state legislator is not enough. As a Japanese-American legislator, I see it as my responsibility to create space for Native Hawaiians, and other Pacific Islanders and gender minorities to rise as leaders.
When I successfully challenged our long-serving male Speaker of the House, in August of last year, it allowed for other women to rise into positions of power. In January, when members of the Hawaii State House voted for Nadine Nakamura to be our state’s first female Speaker of the House, she also became the first Asian Female Speaker of the House in the nation.
Creating space for AANHPI leadership is important. We’ll dive into my story and more at “AANHPI Leaders In Office – Trailblazers, “Firsts,” and Representation,” a panel on May 22nd at 1 pm ET. As someone who has walked this path myself, I understand the challenges and opportunities that come with seeking public office. That’s why I’m committed to sharing my experiences and insights with you, so that you can make informed decisions about your own journey.
During this panel, we’ll cover essential topics such as:
- What it’s like to carve a path that isn’t common.
- How to talk to a wide range of voters who may not be like you.
- The challenges and opportunities AANHPI leaders face in politics, and how to help navigate them
- The networks you may not have known about but should
- The real life strategies, examples, and encouragement you won’t find written down anywhere else
- What everyone can learn from AANHPI leaders in the political space
I’m passionate about empowering our community to take action and make their voices heard. I believe that by working together, we can create a more just and equitable society for all.
Join me on May 22nd and be part of the movement to increase AANHPI representation in politics.
I look forward to seeing you there!
Mahalo,
Rep. Kim Coco Iwamoto
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