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.

Beth Fukumoto: New Honolulu Election Proposal Is A Good Small Step 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.

Beth Fukumoto: What High School Graduations Ought To Mean To All Of Us 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.

Beth Fukumoto: Hawaiʻi’s New ‘Millionaires Tax’ Is Good Politics 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.

Beth Fukumoto: We Can And Should Do Better Next Session On AI 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.

Beth Fukumoto: Saving Hawaiʻi’s Income Tax Cuts Was No Small Feat 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.

Beth Fukumoto: Some Bills Are Perennial Losers For Hawaiʻi Lawmakers 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.

Beth Fukumoto: Lawmakers Shouldn’t Be Afraid To Test Citizens United 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.

Beth Fukumoto: There Are Creative Ways To Get More Voter Centers This Year 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.

Beth Fukumoto: Legislature Is Doing The Right Thing On Dyslexia 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.