Bertrand Kobayashi

Bertrand Kobayashi
Kobayashi in 2023
Member of the Hawaii House of Representatives
from the 20th district
19th (2012–2022)
In office
November 6, 2012 – November 5, 2024
Preceded byBarbara Marumoto
Succeeded byTina Nakada Grandinetti
Member of the Hawaii Senate
from the 10th district
In office
1982–1994
Succeeded byLes Ihara Jr.
Member of the Hawaii House of Representatives
from the 10th district
In office
1978–1982
Preceded byLisa Naito
Succeeded byRedistricted
Personal details
Born (1944-06-19) June 19, 1944
Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
PartyDemocratic
SpouseMary Lou[1]
Children1

Bertrand Yoshito Kobayashi[1] (born June 19, 1944) is an American politician and a former Democratic member of the Hawaii State Legislature. Kobayashi has held elected office in the legislature for a combined 28 years, most recently serving in the Hawaii House of Representatives from 2012 to 2024, retiring after a cerebrovascular incident.[2][3]

On March 3, 2026, Kobayashi was presented with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, for his work to strengthen ties between Japan, Hawaii, and the United States, especially for his leadership in cultivating Hawaii's sister relationship with Fukuoka Prefecture, Hawaii’s first sister prefecture.[4]

Education

Kobayashi attended Kaimuki High School, received his bachelor's degree at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, and earned his doctorate in political science at Michigan State University.[5] From 1972 to 1975, Kobayashi taught as an assistant professor of government at American University.[6]

Career

In the legislature, Kobayashi helped enact legislation on issues including living will, "Nursing Homes Without Walls" (a community-based alternative to nursing homes), and HIV confidentiality. He also supported the establishment of Kapiʻolani Community College since its initial planning in 1980.[1]

From 1994 to 1997, Kobayashi served as deputy director for community hospitals for the Hawaii Department of Health, where he helped transition the Community Hospital Division to an independent agency.[5][3] He has also worked for the American Lung Association and Pacific Gateway Center, and worked with Honolulu city councilmember Duke Bainum and state representative Karl Rhoads.[6]

Elections

  • 2012 When Republican Representative Barbara Marumoto retired and left the District 19 seat open, Kobayashi won the August 11, 2012 Democratic Primary with 3,272 votes (54.5%)[7] against former Representative Brian Yamane, and won the November 6, 2012 General election with 6,749 votes (62.5%) against Republican nominee Darrell Young.[8]

Honors

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Representative Bertrand Kobayashi". Honolulu, Hawaii: Hawaii State Legislature. Archived from the original on September 29, 2014. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
  2. ↑ "Bertrand Kobayashi's Biography". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
  3. 1 2 Staff, HPR News (March 5, 2024). "Rep. Bert Kobayashi announces retirement from state Legislature". Hawai'i Public Radio. Retrieved March 30, 2026.
  4. 1 2 Budiono, Victoria (March 10, 2026). "Former Hawaii lawmaker Bertrand Kobayashi awarded Japan's Order of the Rising Sun". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Retrieved March 30, 2026.
  5. 1 2 None (July 17, 2016). "District 19 - Bertrand (Bert) Kobayashi (D)". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Retrieved March 30, 2026.
  6. 1 2 Democrats, Hawai'i House (March 1, 2024). "REP. BERTRAND KOBAYASHI ANNOUNCES FUTURE RETIREMENT FROM LEGISLATURE". HawaiiHouseDemocrats. Retrieved March 30, 2026.
  7. ↑ "Primary Election 2012 - State of Hawaii - Statewide August 11, 2012" (PDF). Honolulu, Hawaii: Hawaii Office of Elections. p. 3. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
  8. ↑ "Hawaii General 2012 - State of Hawaii - Statewide November 6, 2012" (PDF). Honolulu, Hawaii: Hawaii Office of Elections. p. 1. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
This page is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.