Elected in 2002, Representative Scott Y. Nishimoto proudly serves House District 21, which includes McCully, Moiliili, and Kapahulu. Born in Honolulu, Scott attended Manoa Elementary School and graduated from the Mid-Pacific Institute before attending the University of Hawaii at Manoa. After earning his Bachelors in Sociology, Scott attended the William S. Richardson School of Law, where he also earned a Juris Doctor in 2002. Before holding public office, Scott worked as a staff member in the office of U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye.
Scott currently serves as Chair of the House Judiciary committee, and previously served as Vice Chair of the House Finance committee and Chair of the Higher Education and Legislative Management committees.
Scott is committed to maintaining a close relationship with the community. He serves on the board of Directors of the Moiliili Community Center, UH College of Arts and Sciences Alumni Association board, and Diamond Head Theatre Community Advisory board. He is also a member of the Diamond Head Lions Club and the Kapahulu-Moiliili Lions Club. In addition, Scott serves on the board for the Asian Pacific American Institute of Congressional Studies, a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to promoting Asian Pacific American representation in elected offices.
Scott's leadership has been recognized both nationally and within the Asia-Pacific region. Scott serves as a Steering Committee member for the Reforming States Group of the Milbank Memorial Foundation, addressing health policy issues in the United States. In 2012, the National Guard Association of the United States awarded Scott the Patrick Henry Award, which recognizes local officials and civic leaders who have shown outstanding and exceptional service to the Armed Forces or National Guard.
Scott also serves as a Council Leader on the U.S. Japan Council, a non-profit organization that contributes to strengthening U.S.-Japan relations. In 2003, Scott was a member of the Japanese American Leadership Delegation, and was invited by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership to meet with Japanese political, business, non-profit, academic, and cultural leaders. He has the distinction of being the first Anheuser-Busch/Frank Horton Fellow with the Asian Pacific American Institute of Congressional Studies, and in 2013 was honored with the organization's Trailblazer Award in recognition of his achievements in public service.