Former Miss Hawaii Traci Toguchi has filed papers to run for the City Council District VI held by her current boss Carol Fukunaga, whose term ends this year.

What You Need To Know

  • Toguchi is the first to file for the seat

  • Toguchi joined the Office of Council Services in 2018 and started working for Fukunaga’s office since 2020

  • She was named Miss Hawaii in 1995

  • The candidate plans to address issues related to crime, housing and transportation

Toguchi, a legislative analyst and paralegal, is so far the only official candidate for the seat.

“I hope to continue building the relationships and institutional knowledge I’ve been able to develop throughout the years, especially at the city, so we—the constituents, City Council, mayor and his administration/departments, our state and federal leaders and officials, and community stakeholders—can all be a part of addressing and resolving issues together,” Toguchi said in a released issued Friday. 

Toguchi identified as top priorities perennial district concerns including crime, housing (including homelessness, monster homes and affordable housing) and transportation issues including traffic safety and road conditions.

Toguchi joined the Office of Council Services in 2018 and started working for Fukunaga’s office since 2020. 

Toguchi first gained notoriety as Yuna in The Karate Kid 2 (a role she reprised for an episode of "Cobra Kai" last year) and later took first place in the Brown Bags to Stardom statewide talent competition. She was named Miss Hawaii in 1995.

Away from the spotlight, Toguchi has spent much of the last 20-plus years accruing a broad base of business and governmental experience operating her own small business and working for Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation, the Department of Accounting and General Services State Procurement System, and Department of Budget and Finance Employees’ Retirement System. She’s also held administrative roles in both chambers of the state Legislature.

“I am grateful to learn so much from Councilmember Fukunaga and play an active role in helping resolve issues throughout District VI,” Toguchi said. “Many of these issues have been longstanding for years, and since they will not be resolved by the end of this coming term, I can also help address continuity concerns.

“I enjoy working diligently and thoroughly to serve the constituents of this district,” she said. “It’s what motivates me to get out of bed in the morning.”

This is Toguchi’s first campaign for public office.