Bertrand Yoshito Kobayashi (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.
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.
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.
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. 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.
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%) against former Representative Brian Yamane, and won the November 6, 2012 General election with 6,749 votes (62.5%) against Republican nominee Darrell Young.
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