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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Every public school in Hawaiʻi should take the same approach to defining dyslexia and screening students for reading difficulties.

Beth Fukumoto: Democrats Need A Clear Vision. And To Stick To It Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2026

Beth Fukumoto: Democrats Need A Clear Vision. And To Stick To It

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Hawaiʻi’s problems have been obvious for years. Political leaders are adding fodder to the argument that government doesn’t work.

Beth Fukumoto: Elle Cochran’s Misguided Switch To The Republican Party Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2024

Beth Fukumoto: Elle Cochran’s Misguided Switch To The Republican Party

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The party the former Democratic Maui lawmaker enthused over in a candid interview doesn’t exist in today’s political reality.

Beth Fukumoto: Scoring Political Points Won’t Help Hawaiʻi’s Budget Woes Craig Fujii/Civil Beat/2026

Beth Fukumoto: Scoring Political Points Won’t Help Hawaiʻi’s Budget Woes

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If Republicans are serious about balancing the budget, they need to start offering real solutions.

Beth Fukumoto: If This Session Feels All Over The Place, That’s Because It Is Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2018

Beth Fukumoto: If This Session Feels All Over The Place, That’s Because It Is

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The Legislature is trying to fill a lot of holes in a constantly shifting landscape.

Beth Fukumoto: Ethics In AI Isn’t Just A Slogan Anymore AP Photo/Patrick Sison

Beth Fukumoto: Ethics In AI Isn’t Just A Slogan Anymore

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The Anthropic fight matters here because it reminds us what’s at stake and why Hawaiʻi needs to implement solid, ethical AI policy.