Background
Scott Kawasaki was born in Tokyo, Japan while his parents Koji and Virginia Kawasaki taught internationally.
Scott Kawasaki was born in Tokyo, Japan while his parents Koji and Virginia Kawasaki taught internationally.
Scott attended public schools throughout Fairbanks. Joy Elementary, University Park Elementary, Tanana Junior High and Lathrop High School. Scott graduated from the University of Alaska Fairbanks with a Bachelor of Surgery in Biomedical Sciences in 2006.
The family returned to Fairbanks in 1980, where he has lived ever since. Scott Kawasaki became the youngest member ever to sit on the Fairbanks City Council in 1999 at age 24. He served on the Fairbanks City Council for two consecutive terms from 1999 till 2005.
Scott Kawasaki was elected a state representative in 2006, defeating Republican incumbent Jim Holm by 2617 votes (55 percent) to 2118 (45 percent).
He had previously run in 2004, losing to Jim Holm by 52 votes. During the 25th Legislature Representative Kawasaki served on House Resource Committee, House Special Committee on Oil & Gas and House Committee on Military & Veteran Affairs.
Kawasaki was reelected in 2008 defeating Republican challenger Sue Hull. During the 26th Legislature Representative Kawasaki served on House Resource Committee, House Special Committee on Fisheries and House Committee on Military & Veteran Affairs.
Kawasaki defeated Republican nominee Joseph Michel in the 2010 election.
Prior to the appointment of Sam Kito III in 2014, Kawasaki was the only Asian American serving in the Alaska Legislature.
Member of National Rifle Association, Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce, America Council Young Political Leaders, America Red Cross, Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Aurora Borealis Rotary (board member), Fairbanks Symphony Associate, Fairbanks (coordinator), University Alaska, Coalition Student Leaders, Rotary Golden Heart, Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity Board.