Kim Coco Iwamoto was elected to the Hawai`i State Board of Education on Tuesday with 81,532 votes.  She also received the largest number of votes cast by Hawaii’s youth in the Kids Voting Hawaii election, which is very meaningful as those students are her constituency.

“I appreciate all of the support I received during the election period.  I have served as an education advocate for my own foster children and for other youth in the community; I look forward to advocating on behalf of all Hawaii’s students.

“My gender has remained an issue to some throughout the campaign.  Media outlets have reported that I am now ‘the highest ranking elected official who is openly transgender’ in the country.  I would not have that honor without your vote and I am proud to live in Hawaii where citizens focus on relevant issues and what is important.  While I am proud of this recognition, my priority remains children, education and the state of our schools.”

Iwamoto is excited to continue working with the entire Board of Education, students, parents, teachers, administrators and community and government partners to maximize educational opportunities and resources available to Hawaii’s students.