Beth Fukumoto
Beth Fukumoto served three terms in the Hawaii House of Representatives where she was recognized as one of Washington Post’s “40 under 40″ rising political stars, Business Insider’s “8 of the most influential millennial women in US politics,” and Apolitical’s “100 Future Leaders: The World’s Most Influential Young People in Government.” She was the youngest woman in the U.S. to lead a major party in a legislature, the first elected Republican to switch parties after Trump’s election, and a Democratic congressional candidate. Currently, she works as a political commentator and teaches leadership and ethics at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.
Ronen Zilberman/Civil Beat/2022
Beth Fukumoto: New Honolulu Election Proposal Is A Good Small Step
Ranked choice voting is a tangible, workable first step that voters can actually take.
Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2026
Beth Fukumoto: What High School Graduations Ought To Mean To All Of Us
They’re a reminder of who we are and who we are still trying to be.
Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2024
Beth Fukumoto: Hawaiʻi’s New ‘Millionaires Tax’ Is Good Politics
People are angry about the economy, and they know the policies of the past haven’t delivered for them.
Kalany Omengkar/Civil Beat/2023
Beth Fukumoto: We Can And Should Do Better Next Session On AI
Hawaiʻi’s efforts to protect the public and regulate artificial intelligence fell short compared to other states.
Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2026
Beth Fukumoto: Saving Hawaiʻi’s Income Tax Cuts Was No Small Feat
Budget negotiators made hard choices and delivered on a promise that was genuinely difficult to keep.
Chad Blair/Civil Beat/2026
Beth Fukumoto: Some Bills Are Perennial Losers For Hawaiʻi Lawmakers
Every year, lawmakers introduce many bills that seek solutions for important problems. Every year, they die.
Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2017
Beth Fukumoto: Lawmakers Shouldn’t Be Afraid To Test Citizens United
Senate Bill 2471 presents a serious, carefully framed constitutional argument worthy of judicial review.
David Croxford/Civil Beat/2024
Beth Fukumoto: There Are Creative Ways To Get More Voter Centers This Year
The Legislature killed bills that would have funded more voter centers but we can increase in-person capacity before August without legislative action.
Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2021
Beth Fukumoto: Legislature Is Doing The Right Thing On Dyslexia
Every public school in Hawaiʻi should take the same approach to defining dyslexia and screening students for reading difficulties.