Scott K. Saiki (born July 17, 1964) is an American attorney and politician. He has served as a Democratic member of the Hawaii House of Representatives, representing the state's 26th district. He served as majority leader from 2013 to 2017 and as speaker of the Hawaii House of Representatives from 2017 to 2024.[2]
Scott Saiki | |
|---|---|
 Saiki in 2022 | |
| 11th Speaker of the Hawaii House of Representatives | |
| In office May 4, 2017 – November 5, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Joseph M. Souki |
| Succeeded by | Nadine Nakamura |
| Majority Leader of the Hawaii House of Representatives | |
| In office January 16, 2013 – May 4, 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Pono Chong |
| Succeeded by | Della Au Belatti |
| Member of the Hawaii House of Representatives from the 25th district 20th (1994–2002) 22nd (2002–2012) 26th (2012–2022) | |
| In office November 8, 1994 – November 5, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | David Hagino[1] |
| Succeeded by | Kim Coco Iwamoto |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 17, 1964 Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | University of Hawaii, Manoa (BA, JD) |
In the 2024 primary election, Saiki lost his seat in a close race with Kim Coco Iwamoto.[3]
Early life and education
editSaiki was born in Honolulu, Hawai‘i on July 17, 1964 and grew up in Kailua, Hawaii.[4] He attended Hawaii Baptist Academy in Honolulu.
Saiki earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and a Juris Doctor from the William S. Richardson School of Law in 1991.[4][5] In 1988, he was a student intern for U.S. Senator Daniel Akaka.[6] As a law student, he advocated for requiring students to complete a pro bono program.[7]
Early career
editAfter graduating from law school, Saiki worked as an attorney, practicing disability law and personal injury litigation.[5]
He is a former staff attorney at the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii and assistant to state Representative David Hagino.[6]
Hawaii House of Representatives
editIn 1994, Saiki was first elected to the Hawaii House of Representatives to represent House District 20, an urban district spanning from Kapahulu to Moiliili.[5]
From 2013 to 2017, Saiki served as the majority leader. After Speaker Joe Souki resigned, Saiki was elected Speaker of the Hawaii House of Representatives on May 4, 2017.[5] In addition to serving in office, he continues to practice disability law.[4]
Community involvement and affiliations
edit- Member, Board of Directors, Advocates for Public Interest Law[6]
- Member, Hawaii State Bar Association[6]
- Member, Mōʻiliʻili Community Center[6]
- President, National Conference of State Legislatures, 2019[6]
- Chairperson, Japan-Hawaii Legislators’ Friendship Association[8]
Personal life
editSaiki enjoys swimming.[9] He and his wife Patsy have a cat, Emi.[10]
Electoral history
edit2014
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Scott Saiki | 3,858 | 68.6 | |
| Republican | Eric B. Marshall | 1,768 | 31.4 | |
| Total votes | 5,626 | 100 | ||
2016
editIn the 2016 election, Saiki ran unopposed in both the Democratic primary and general election.[11]
2018
editIn the 2018 election, Saiki once again ran unopposed in both the Democratic primary and general election.[11]
2020
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Scott Saiki | 3,393 | 51.3 | |
| Democratic | Kim Coco Iwamoto | 3,226 | 48.7 | |
| Total votes | 6,619 | 100 | ||
2022
editIn the 2022 Democratic Primary Saiki once again faced Kim Coco Iwamoto for the nomination. Due to redistricting Saiki was placed in the 25th District which contain Ala Moana and Kakaako. Saiki narrowly won with 51% of the vote. He faced Rob Novak in the general election.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Scott Saiki | 2,680 | 51.55% | |
| Democratic | Kim Coco Iwamoto | 2,519 | 48.45% | |
| Total votes | 5,199 | 100% | ||
2024
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Kim Coco Iwamoto | 2,649 | 52.52% | |
| Democratic | Scott Saiki | 2,395 | 47.48% | |
| Total votes | 5,044 | 100% | ||
References
edit- ^ "1994 general election - HI State House 20". Our Campaigns. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
- ^ "The Latest: Hawaii House Elects Rep. Scott Saiki Speaker". U.S. News & World Report. Associated Press. May 4, 2017. Retrieved 31 October 2017.
- ^ Nakaso, Dan (2024-08-11). "Kim Coco Iwamoto upsets House Speaker Scott Saiki in Primary Election". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Retrieved 2024-08-11.
- ^ a b c "REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT K. SAIKI (D)". Hawaii State Legislature.
- ^ a b c d Dayton, Kevin (2020-08-05). "Iwamoto Challenges Speaker Saiki For Hawaii House Seat". Honolulu Civil Beat. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
- ^ a b c d e f "Vote Smart | Facts For All". Vote Smart. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
- ^ "50th Anniversary Gala". University of Hawaii Foundation.
- ^ "Representative Scott Saiki, Hawaii Chairperson of the Japan-Hawaii Legislators' Friendship Association, Offers His Condolences Regarding the Kumamoto Earthquake". Consulate General of Japan in Honolulu.
- ^ Harjo-Livingston, Sandy (2024-02-19). "Swimming with Speaker Saiki: A day in the life of the Hawaiʻi State Speaker of the House". KHON2.
- ^ "ABOUT SCOTT". Scott Saiki Hawaii. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
- ^ a b c d "Scott Saiki".
External links
edit- Hawaii House of Representatives - Scott Saiki official government website
- Project Vote Smart - Representative Scott K. Saiki (HI) profile
- Follow the Money - Scott Saiki