Scott Nishimoto
Hawaii State Representative
(District 21)
1997-1998: First ever APAICS Fellow
Biography
Rep. Scott Nishimoto was first elected in 2002. He has the distinction of being selected as the first Anheuser-Busch/Frank Horton Fellow with the Asian Pacific American Institute of Congressional Studies. He has been a member of the Hawaii Bar Association since 2003, received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Hawaii William S. Richardson School of Law in May 2002 and his Bachelors degree in Sociology in 1997. At UHM, Rep. Nishimoto was elected student body president of the Associated Students of UH. His professional experience includes serving as a staff member in the Washington, D.C. office of U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye and working as a law clerk at Cronin Fried Sekiya Kekina & Fairbanks. Rep. Nishimoto was a member of the 2003 Japanese American Leadership Delegation invited by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership to meet with Japanese leaders in the political, business, non-profit, academic and cultural fields. He currently is on the board of directors for the Hawaii Children's Cancer Foundation and is a member of the State of Hawaii Workforce Development Council. In addition, Rep. Nishimoto serves on the Department of Health's Comprehensive Cancer Control Interim Steering Committee, Diamond Head Lion's Club, Kaimuki Adult School Community Council and School Community Based Management Councils for Liholiho and Ala Wai elementary schools.
What did you gain from your experience with APAICS?
"APAICS really taught me the value of public service and getting involved in your community. It really was one of the main things that got me active in politics. If it wasn’t for the APAICS Fellowship, I probably wouldn’t have run for office and would have been on a very different career path."
What did you enjoy most about the Fellowship?
"The thing I enjoyed the most was the relationships that I made. Of course, the work was very interesting, but it’s the relationships that have stuck with me."
As an elected official, why do you feel that it’s important for Asian Pacific Americans to have a presence in politics and government?
"We definitely need representation. History shows that when we don’t have that, Asian Americans face a lot of problems. Getting involved in your community and in politics is a way to ensure that you have a voice."
What advice do you have for future APAICS Fellows?
"Try to experience everything you can, do all the activities you can, and talk to people and gain knowledge that way. That was the thing that helped me the most: talking to a lot of people and getting little tidbits of advice. It’s advice that I still use to this day."
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