Traci K Toguchi

Traci K Toguchi for Honolulu City Council District VI Video featuring Kalihi Valley Constituent Debbie

Question of the Day Video: What are examples of successful traffic safety [controls] in municipalities?

Community Meet and Greet

Thank you so much to District VI constituents for taking the time to come out to my Community Meet and Greet! I am humbled and grateful to have been able to meet and talk with you. Thank you also to the volunteers who helped make the event a success, who include District VI constituents! Thank you again to each of you.

Thank you so much, District VI constituents!

“Traci has been the go-to-person with a proven track record of hard work in helping to resolve the many challenging City issues in my area. Traci’s resume shows she is the most qualified candidate for our District VI Council seat.”

- Sylvia Young, Pauoa

“I’m not very political, but I have to say I’m very thankful for everything Traci Toguchi has done for my family and community. I wrote countless letters to various city and state agencies for assistance with a safety concern at a crosswalk in my neighborhood. No one ever responded or took any action. It was only after bringing this issue to Traci… Carol Fukunaga’s aide that our issue was resolved. I am forever grateful for her help and proud to put up my FIRST political sign at our house. VOTE FOR TRACI TOGUCHI... !

- Mr. Lum, Liliha

“Traci has been a God-send. Regarding a noise issue, she was persistent, consistent, had a sincere concern about our living conditions, and got the issue resolved. She researched, followed up, talked with the City Department of Planning and Permitting, HPD, etc. She’s very detail-oriented. It took a while, but she was persistent. She’s on our side. She helped make life livable.”

- Ms. Abe, Downtown Honolulu

“After much deliberation and vetting of the issues most pressing in our neighborhood, I think Traci Toguchi is the best candidate to replace Council Member Carol Fukunaga… [who] is terming out… The great news about Traci is that she is aware of the Pacific Heights Road concerns such as traffic safety, crime and Monster Houses. In fact, she has worked on these issues as a member of CM Fukunaga’s staff over the past few years. I first met Traci over 20 years ago on the movie set of the independent film Picture Bride, the award winning story of… many AJA plantation workers... She is talented, hardworking and bright to say the least.”

- Dean Sakamoto, Pacific Heights

For more quotes, see Constituent Support for Traci

Honolulu City Councilmember Candidacy Announcement Miss Hawaii 75th Anniversary Congratulations: Congratulatory video and update since serving as Miss Hawaii 1995 to serving the City and County of Honolulu as Legislative Analyst for Councilmember District VI, the office for which I am now running to serve as its Councilmember.

Traci Toguchi Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/traciktoguchi/

“I’m not very political, but I have to say I’m very thankful for everything Traci Toguchi has done for my family and community. I wrote countless letters to various city and state agencies for assistance with a safety concern at a crosswalk in my neighborhood. No one ever responded or took any action. It was only after bringing this issue to Traci… Carol Fukunaga’s aide that our issue was resolved. I am forever grateful for her help and proud to put up my FIRST political sign at our house. VOTE FOR TRACI TOGUCHI... ! 

- Mr. Lum, Liliha

 

“Traci has been the go-to-person with a proven track record of hard work in helping to resolve the many challenging City issues in my area. Traci’s resume shows she is the most qualified candidate for our District VI Council seat.”

- Sylvia Young, Pauoa

 

“Traci is an individual who will never leave any stone unturned. She helped me with problems... even when there was no chance at victory with the City. She cared enough to keep pressing forward when I no longer had the will to go on... Traci showed me what our government had been lacking for way too long, someone who hears our concerns, and finds a way to make things right. She is one who will champion our concerns of our community and will find solutions to hard problems.”

- Ms. Leger, Liliha

 

“After much deliberation and vetting of the issues most pressing in our neighborhood, I think Traci Toguchi is the best candidate to replace Council Member Carol Fukunaga… [who] is terming out… The great news about Traci is that she is aware of the Pacific Heights Road concerns such as traffic safety, crime and Monster Houses. In fact, she has worked on these issues as a member of CM Fukunaga’s staff over the past few years. I first met Traci over 20 years ago on the movie set of the independent film Picture Bride, the award winning story of… many AJA plantation workers... She is talented, hardworking and bright to say the least.”

- Dean Sakamoto, Pacific Heights

 

“Traci has been a God-send. Regarding a noise issue, she was persistent, consistent, had a sincere concern about our living conditions, and got the issue resolved. She researched, followed up, talked with the City Department of Planning and Permitting, HPD, etc. She’s very detail-oriented. It took a while, but she was persistent. She’s on our side. She helped make life livable.”

- Ms. Abe, Downtown Honolulu

 

“As Legislative Analyst for Councilmember Fukunaga, Ms. Toguchi responded to my written inquiry regarding a neighborhood concern. Ms. Toguchi met with us in person immediately, gathering information from all of us. She researched the issue and gathered information from the relevant organizations, resulting in positive outcomes for our neighborhood. Mahalo Nui Loa, Ms. Toguchi!”

– Mrs. Choy, Nuuanu

 

“Traci knows Chinatown. She knows the many issues, some big, while others are small, some short and others are long term issues. Throughout the pandemic, she has been taking my calls and emails, and doing tireless work within various city departments and other agencies to resolve the issues. Xie Xie Traci for all your assistance.”

– Mr. Wong, Chinatown

 

“I especially extend my deepest Mahalo to Councilmember Carol Fukunaga and her Legislative Analyst, Traci Toguchi who tirelessly followed through until the very end... Traci’s ongoing communication with me was exemplary.”

– Mr. Matsuo, Kalihi Valley

 

“Traci has been instrumental in listening to community members and working through City processes to solve problems, answer questions and mainly focusing on long term remedies to improve City services by analyzing worker shortages, early worker attrition, and worker pay and coming up with doable solutions. She has helped my community… I want someone who will represent my District 6… who will continue to solve our day to day issues and tackle our big issues (housing shortages, homelessness, monster homes, transportation, government vacancies and government accountability).”

– Ms. Chun, Nuuanu

 

"I have worked with Traci on various issues and have always been impressed with her breadth of experience and knowledge and grateful for her positive disposition.”

– Mr. Lopes, Punchbowl

 

“Traci’s commitment, work ethic and humble demeanor amazed me. She treats everyone with respect and listens to what they say. She was constantly checking on us and followed up on everything we talked about and discussed.  She is humble and full of energy and it wasn’t until recently that by accident I found out that she was actually Miss Hawaii 1995, which impressed me even more. We need more people like Traci to run for public office, people who are not in it for status or recognition, people who care about family values and the future of our community.”

– Mr. Bia, Manager at the Car Store Inc., Kakaako

See Facebook Page for additional support (no login required to view):

https://www.facebook.com/traciktoguchi

I was born in Nuuanu.

My father's father Genei Toguchi owned and operated Toguchi Chevron Service on School Street near Pali Highway, where my father also worked (Google image source).

My mother grew up on Alewa Drive. She began taking my sister and me to Japanese singing lessons with Urata Sensei on Nuuanu Avenue since I was 5-1/2 years old , which is also when I began entering singing competitions. (Pictured is at the KOHO Radio singing contest.)

I began taking Okinawan Sanshin (shamisen) lessons, performing locally and beyond, including at the Hawaii United Okinawa Association Okinawan Festivals.

When I was 9, I won the KZOO Radio Karaoke Taikai Silver (youth) Division singing a Misora Hibari enka song.

I am a fourth generation American. My great grandmother on my mother's side of the family came from Okinawa to Oahu by boat when she was 18 years old to join her husband, who had already moved to Oahu for a better life. My great grandmother worked in sugar cane fields for 10 cents a day. (She is pictured here, along with both of my grandmothers, who all attended the KZOO Radio Karaoke Taikai.)

When I was in the fourth grade, my drawing of my friend was selected to be displayed at the Hawaii State Capitol. I was able to visit with my Hawaii State Representative at that time, Ken Kiyabu, to see my drawing on display at the State Capitol.

When I was young, my mother would take me to the Kuakini Medical Center to sing for the elderly. Kupuna (seniors/elderly) became my platform as Miss Hawaii (from June 1995 to July 1996).

My platform, Aging With Dignity, was inspired by my late grandfather, whom my family and I lived with, and for whom we eventually served as his caregivers toward his later years while he was living with Alzheimer's disease. (Pictured is when he, my mother and aunt came to visit me on set of "The Karate Kid Part II" while I was blessed with the opportunity to continue filming in California.) 

While serving the state as Miss Hawaii (as a Downtown Honolulu resident), I visited over 100 different senior and elder organizations and facilities throughout the state of Hawaii, from the active to the frail and terminally ill, including in Honolulu City Council District VI, such as the Lanakila Multipurpose Senior Center, and PACE Hawaii at Maluhia Adult Day Care Center.

Also as Miss Hawaii, I visited many students at elementary, middle and high schools as a guest, including as a speaker, Read to Me reader, and career day panelist.

In partnership with the Matsunaga Charitable Foundation, HMSA, and the City and County of Honolulu Elderly Affairs Division with American Savings Bank / Hawaiian Electric Industries with distribution support by Longs Drugs and the Hawaii State Library, I published Aging With Dignity: Social Options for Seniors, a resource directory handbook as a community service.

While living in Los Angeles, I served as Membership Administrator for the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center (in Downtown Los Angeles).

Here is an overview of my community service:

• since age 8 at the Kuakini Medical Center (guest singer for elderly patients);
• to age 17 at the Maunalani Nursing Center (assisted with feedings, activities, and visiting with patients) and Waikiki Friendly Neighbors Program (took an elderly woman to her favorite restaurant for lunch every week);
• to age 20-21 for groups including Downtown Exchange Club and National Active and Retired Federal Employees (guest/keynote speaker);
• to age 20s-30s organizations in Honolulu, Los Angeles, and other parts of the U.S. mainland, including Alzheimer's Association (board member, spokesperson, visit with patients);
• to the present, including homeless shelters/feeding sites (guest coordinator/administrator for feedings, assisted with feedings), and State of Hawaii Board of Education (meeting minutes taker).

November 8, 2022 - My top three priorities are crime, housing (homelessness/houselessness, affordable housing, large scale single-family dwellings ("monster houses")), and transportation (traffic safety (including pedestrian), road conditions). Especially since I have been serving as a staff member in the Honolulu City Council District VI office, these are issues I have observed constituents most frequently report (as well as from feedback I have received while walking the district). Thus, these are issues I work closely with City departments (as well as State agencies (and federal as needed)) to address and resolve.

Crime

I consider crime to be the biggest issue facing Oahu. From January 1, 2022 to April 30, 2022, there were 9,532 property crimes (9,788 in 2021, and 8,165 in 2020), and 838 violent crimes (701 in 2021, and 634 in 2020), according to the Honolulu Police Department (HPD). I believe feeling physically safe in the place we live significantly contributes to our quality of life. When I lived in New York City in the late 1990s, I recall more police presence positively contributed to this need. I believe more HPD presence will also improve quality of life on Oahu.

Addressing vacancies will help HPD increase police visibility, which includes patrol officer presence at locations known for criminal activity. HPD was No. 1 in the City Department of Human Resources’ May 2022 Budget Committee presentation of department counts for vacancies (951 of 3,271), and retirement-eligible (351 of 2,320). Perhaps HPD's Reserve Officer Program can be even more expanded. I support HPD with their determination of the most effective ways to address this issue, which include establishing yearly training academies, and a pilot program to increase staffing by 10% per shift. In a March 2022 City Council Budget Committee briefing, 329 uniformed vacant positions were reported.

Additionally, I would continue to support Weed and Seed programs, and do what I have been doing as a City Council District VI staff member, which is working closely with HPD and Prosecuting Attorney Alm’s office to address constituents’ criminal concerns.

Housing - homelessness/houselessness, affordable housing, large scale single-family dwellings ("monster houses")

Help get those who are homeless/houseless the support and resources they need to get re-integrated into society, including into permanent housing:

In the City's legislative branch as the City Council, I would support the Mayor and his Administration's action plan on affordable housing and homelessness, including ensuring funds are appropriated accordingly.

I also support and encourage the Mayor and his Administration to consider and implement other vetted idea proposals, including mine to address homelessness:

Implement successful models from other municipalities, including Houston, Texas.

I encourage keeping as many imperative stakeholders in such ongoing discussions and efforts, including individuals who are unhoused and/or experienced houselessness on Oahu, and the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii (ACLU).

In addition to supporting subject matter professionals (including from social service and health care organizations, and government emergency medical services), as well as continuing to support current programs, including those related to mental health, and mobile bed and hygiene facilities, I suggest providing services accordingly including ongoing counseling, and education and/or job readiness and skill development, and job assistance with secure storage/places to keep important paperwork and clothes so they may—with dignity—attend work and/or school, including in locations to prepare to do so.

Offer comparable at-risk youth programs, such as Weed and Seed and National Guard Youth Challenge, which provide counseling and other support for those who may have difficulties managing their anger, listening to those in authority, and following rules. This can include community resource centers (with office equipment).

Work with subject matter experts to address loopholes and hindrances preventing medical support and shelter/facility services they need to get off the streets.

And with respect to addressing affordable housing:

Prioritize and expand affordable housing by focusing on affordable rentals, homeownership, and workforce housing, including by encouraging the use of government owned-land in urban/developed areas accordingly (particularly the City, due to my jurisdiction) to support such development, and looking at different partnership opportunities, incentives and use.

Provide incentives rather than require mandates for developers to build more housing.

Address current and future housing-related issues for Honolulu’s young local residents by bringing to the discussions respective stakeholders such as Housing Hawaii’s Future, which is led by young local residents working to create opportunities for their peers and future young residents by providing workforce housing.

Since large scale single-family dwellings ("monster houses") continue to be pointed to as a significant source of driving local residents out of neighborhoods they and their families have lived in for several generations by increasing tax assessment valuations of its neighboring properties, I continue to read through the City Revised Ordinances of Honolulu, discuss with the departments and the Council's and City's attorneys, and learn from constituents, stakeholders and other subject matter experts to identify and effectively address loopholes in the City's existing laws, rules and protocols.

Such review and discussion of the City's existing laws, rules and protocols are also to identify and address any impediments to help ensure affordable housing can be most effectively planned and executed.

With respect to the Mayor's/his Administration's action plan on affordable housing and homelessness, I support the Council's most recent approval of his budget that includes over $50 million for building affordable housing and increasing homeownership opportunities for local families, and $23 million to provide homeless people with services for housing, in-patient healthcare and outreach support, and $2 million to house and support those encountering domestic violence. I support the Mayor's/his Administration's incentivizing the development of new affordable rental housing units for working families, as well as the appropriation and use of grant money to eligible developers and property owners as an incentive to build more affordable rental units.

I support the Mayor's and his Administration's affordable housing and homelessness priorities for this fiscal year to facilitate and incentivize development of affordable housing rentals beyond acquisition, and expand and sustain the City Department of Emergency Medical Service's (EMS) Crisis Outreach Response and Engagement (CORE) homeless services program. Since November 2021, a CORE office opened on Pauahi Street in District VI, and I have spoken with its neighboring residents who believe this location is helping address respective issues relating to those who are experiencing homelessness, and need such City EMS services.

Transportation - traffic safety (including pedestrian), road conditions

With respect to transportation, I would continue to work closely, especially with the City Department of Transportation Services (DTS) (and State of Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT)) and other relevant departments/agencies and subject matter experts to address constituents' traffic safety and road* condition concerns, which I work on a weekly to daily basis.

* These include sidewalks/unimproved sidewalks.

Please contact Traci at [email protected] or (808) 349-8830 with any questions.

_____

Civil Beat Candidate Questions and Answers: Honolulu City Council District 6 - Traci Toguchi

1. What is the biggest issue facing Oahu, and what would you do about it?

I consider crime the biggest issue facing Oahu.  There were 9,532 property crimes, and 838 violent crimes from Jan. 1, 2022, to April 30, 2022, according to the Honolulu Police Department.  Addressing vacancies will help HPD increase police visibility, which includes patrol officer presence at locations known for criminal activity (more) . . . 

2. The Honolulu rail project: What should be done?

I support every effort and action of transparency and accountability to ensure the safest, best quality, most cost-efficient (which includes completion timeliness), effective utility (including maximizing ridership), and effective means to provide transportation equity (particularly for residents who continue to spend hours away from their families and other quality time commuting to and from the urban core —especially for work and school), while providing an effective, efficient and sustainable transportation and mobility alternative for all types of riders for daily commutes (more) . . . 

3. In recent years, serious problems have surfaced within the Honolulu Police Department. At the same time, there has been a significant push to beef up oversight of police and reform some practices. What would you do specifically to improve accountability of local law enforcement? Are you satisfied with the Honolulu Police Department? How about the Honolulu Police Commission?

The city’s revised Charter provides for HPD to consist of a chief of police, Police Commission and necessary staff. As a City Council member, I would appreciate ongoing dialogue with these in HPD’s organization so members of the public can also be included in such discussions (more) . . . 

4. Honolulu has some of the lowest property taxes in the country. Is it time to raise those rates to help meet city obligations? Tax vacant homes at a higher rate? 

I don’t believe it is time to raise property tax rates to help meet city obligations since the pandemic continues to present uncertainty with constantly changing conditions (more) . . . 

5. Is Honolulu a safe place to live? What can be done to improve the quality of life on the island?

I believe it depends where in Honolulu, as well as when — not only with respect to what is occurring at that time (including business activity during weekdays, or weekend events), but also the time of the day. (Please refer to my answer to No. 1.) (more) . . . 

6. Hawaii has seen a growing division when it comes to politics, development, health mandates and other issues. Protests are getting angrier.  What would you do to bridge those gaps and bring people together in spite of their differences? 

Regardless of politics and other differences, I seek to bridge gaps and bring people together in spite of their differences by being open to listen to where they are coming from. I seek to hear differing perspectives and look to find common ground and agreement especially with respect to the law, and focus on looking at the issues in a practical manner to effectively address and resolve them (more) . . . 

7. Like the state, the City and County has had its share of corruption cases – from the police department and prosecutor’s office to the mayor’s office and the planning department. What would you do to restore public confidence in our public officials? What if anything needs to change about how the City Council operates?

As employees of the city, we are required to complete ethics training. Perhaps more frequent training that includes further explanations of the sources and laws relating to such cases would be beneficial. Educational outreach of such would also inform members of the public who help to hold public employees/officials accountable (more) . . . 

8. Homelessness has been an issue for decades yet we don’t seem to be making much progress. What new ideas would you suggest to control this ongoing problem?

I suggest controlling homelessness by seeking to keep as many imperative stakeholders in such ongoing discussions and efforts, including individuals who are unhoused and/or experienced houselessness on Oahu, and the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii.

In addition to prioritizing and expanding affordable housing, and supporting subject matter professionals (including from social service and health care organizations, and government emergency medical services), as well as continuing to support current programs, including those related to mental health, and mobile bed and hygiene facilities, I suggest providing services accordingly (more) . . . 

9. No one wants the island’s landfill in its backyard. Should it stay on the West Side and Waimanalo Gulch be expanded? Or are there other solutions? 

While I continue to learn about this issue, I defer this to subject matter experts, which include the Landfill Advisory Committee and City Department of Environmental Services, as there are complex factors and considerations to this issue. I also defer to the respective area legislators who hear from and represent their area constituents (more) . . . 

10. The coronavirus pandemic has exposed numerous flaws in Hawaii’s structure and systems, from outdated technology to economic disparity. If you could take this moment to reinvent Hawaii, to build on what we’ve learned and create a better state, a better way of doing things, what would you do? Please share One Big Idea you have for Oahu. Be innovative, but be specific.

I would reinvent Hawaii to build on what we have learned and create a better state, including a better way of doing things, by first starting and keeping at top of mind our most precious resource — our people — and what we envision for Hawaii. Second, leverage technology.

In 2009, I was honored to produce the first TEDxHonolulu (TED: Technology, Entertainment, Design, with the x denoting independently organized events). When asked, I proposed the theme “SHIFT: To move from one place, position, direction to another,” which thankfully, the founders agreed (more) . . . 

https://www.civilbeat.org/2022/07/candidate-qa-honolulu-city-council-district-6-traci-toguchi/

League of Women Voters 2022 Candidate Responses:

Please provide a brief Candidate Statement describing your qualifications and why you are running for this office.

I am running following much encouragement from District VI constituents whom I serve as Legislative Analyst to truly help them and this District because I know this District's issues firsthand, and actively work to especially resolve longstanding and complex issues, thus have institutional knowledge and current City experience to know how to effectively and efficiently navigate within the City, and with state and federal agencies, and community stakeholders. I believe my background as a paralegal helps me more effectively do so, under the counsel of the City Council's and City's attorneys. I also believe my experience in the public (city, state, federal), private (wide array of industries, structures and sizes), nonprofit, and small business sectors (including as an owner for 15 years), and professional entertainer and former “starving artist” in Honolulu, New York City and Los Angeles help me understand different perspectives because I have likely been in very similar shoes.

How would you address concerns about a lack of transparency at all levels of government?

Besides consciously keeping transparency at the top of my mind, I would also seek to ensure information is shared with the diverse people of the City and County of Honolulu (and beyond) accordingly so the people can make informed decisions, and hold government accountable for the conduct of its business. With respect to levels of government that are not in the jurisdiction of the City Council, I would inquire and/or request that information to be shared accordingly.

What, if any, actions would you work towards in your first 100 days to address the threats facing Hawaii due to climate change?

As a member of the Honolulu City Council, I would rely on subject matter experts for real time and vetted information, including recommendations for action accordingly. These SMEs would include from the City and County of Honolulu Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency, and City Department of Environmental Services, as well as the State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, and Climate Change Commission.

Do you believe the response to the COVID-19 crisis could have been improved, and if so, how?

All crisis responses can be improved when looking back in retrospect. Especially given this COVID-19 crisis was unprecedented, I believe all levels of government acted with best intentions to protect the health and safety of the public. Looking back in retrospect, considerations would include balancing the state of emergency with public health and safety with respect to government transparency, mandates, and the enforcement of laws/rules.

(No direct link)

https://www.vote411.org/hawaii#candidate-and-ballot-measure-information

Email Address:
[email protected] 

Mailing Address:
Post Office Box 17
Honolulu, HI  96810

November 8, 2022 - Traci Kimiko Toguchi was born in Nuuanu and primarily grew up in Honolulu, Hawaii (Traci and her family lived in Gardena, California for a year and a half). She is a Downtown Honolulu resident with roots in District VI and paralegal by trade, and currently serves as Legislative Analyst in the Honolulu City Council District VI office, having served as a staff member since July 2020, helping to resolve issues and concerns for the district’s constituents. (You may remember Traci as the child actor from the blockbuster hit “The Karate Kid Part II” (with a recent cameo role in the Netflix spinoff “Cobra Kai”), singer (including winning the state Brown Bags to Stardom talent competition, and the KZOO Radio Karaoke Taikai (youth division)), and former Miss Hawaii.)

This is Traci’s first run for public office. With respect to government experience, she has current working City experience, as she has been working for the City and County of Honolulu for four and a half years--at the City Council since January 2018 beginning with the Office of Council Services, then the District IV office (as Legislative Analyst) for all but one and a half years while serving as an Information Specialist II for the City Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation. She has also worked for the State of Hawaii Legislature Senate and House of Representatives (as Office Manager, Legislative Aide, and Committee Clerk), Department of Accounting and General Services State Procurement Office, and Department of Budget and Finance Employees' Retirement System. And Traci has federal working experience as a verbatim hearing recorder for the U.S. Social Security Administration Office of Disability Adjudication and Review-Honolulu.

Additionally, Toguchi has been a small business owner* for more than 15 years. She has worked in various capacities, including being a probate researcher at the Oahu First Circuit Court, special events officer for Central Pacific Bank (Honolulu), legal and executive assistant and secretary at law firms in New York City, Los Angeles and Honolulu, executive director for the James Bradley Peace Foundation (Rye, New York), and membership administrator for the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center in Los Angeles.

Traci is grateful to learn so much from the current District VI Councilmember Carol Fukunaga and play an active role in helping resolve issues throughout the district. Many of these issues have been longstanding for years, and since they will not be resolved by the end of this coming term, Traci says she can also help address continuity concerns.

Traci believes her background as a paralegal (through experience and education) helps her more effectively help constituents, under the counsel of the City Council's and City's attorneys. As a member of the Hawaii Paralegal Association, Traci participates in ongoing continuing legal education, and completes additional certifications in areas including contracts, updates in respective laws, and judicial processes.

Additionally, Traci believes that her work experience in the public (city, state, federal), private (in a wide array of industries, business structures and sizes), nonprofit, and small business sectors (including as a small business owner, and from two generations of a family food business), and professional entertainer and former “starving artist” in Honolulu, New York City and Los Angeles help her better understand different perspectives and have compassion to literally empathize with others because she has likely been in their (or very similar) shoes.

Traci enjoys working diligently and thoroughly to serve the constituents of District VI alongside government agency officials and community stakeholders, with whom she's developed relationships, to effectively connect constituents with city, state and federal services to address their issues of concern. It's what Traci says motivates her to get out of bed in the morning.

* Traci Toguchi, Inc. provides Entertainment (record label and recording/performing artist, songwriting publishing, voice and acting instructor), Marketing (strategic planning, event and project coordination, public relations), Administration (including legal services for attorneys), and Web (administration/development) services.