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Scott Saiki

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Scott Saiki
Saiki in 2022
11th Speaker of the Hawaii House of Representatives
Assumed office
May 4, 2017
Preceded byJoseph M. Souki
Majority Leader of the Hawaii House of Representatives
In office
January 16, 2013 – May 4, 2017
Preceded byPono Chong
Succeeded byDella Au Belatti
Member of the Hawaii House of Representatives
from the 25th district
20th (1994–2002)
22nd (2002–2012)
26th (2012–2022)
Assumed office
November 8, 1994
Preceded byDavid Hagino[1]
Personal details
Born (1964-07-17) July 17, 1964 (age 60)
Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
EducationUniversity of Hawaii, Manoa (BA, JD)

Scott K. Saiki (born July 17, 1964) is an American attorney and politician. Since 1994, 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. On May 4, 2017, he became speaker of the Hawaii House of Representatives.[2]

In the 2024 primary election, Saiki lost his seat in a close race with Kim Coco Iwamoto.[3]

Early life and education

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Saiki 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

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After 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

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In 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

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Personal life

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Saiki enjoys swimming.[9] He and his wife Patsy have a cat, Emi.[10]

Electoral history

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2014

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Hawaii’s 26th District House of Representatives election, 2014[11]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Scott Saiki 3,858 68.6
Republican Eric B. Marshall 1,768 31.4
Total votes 5,626 100

2016

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In the 2016 election, Saiki ran unopposed in both the Democratic primary and general election.[11]

2018

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In the 2018 election, Saiki once again ran unopposed in both the Democratic primary and general election.[11]

2020

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Hawaii’s 26th District House of Representatives election, 2020[11]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Scott Saiki 3,393 51.3
Democratic Kim Coco Iwamoto 3,226 48.7
Total votes 6,619 100

2022

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In 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.

Hawaii's 25th House District Democratic primary election, 2022
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Scott Saiki 2,680 51.55%
Democratic Kim Coco Iwamoto 2,519 48.45%
Total votes 5,199 100%

2024

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Hawaii's 25th House District Democratic primary election, 2024
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Kim Coco Iwamoto 2,649 52.52%
Democratic Scott Saiki 2,395 47.48%
Total votes 5,044 100%

References

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  1. ^ "1994 general election - HI State House 20". Our Campaigns. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  2. ^ "The Latest: Hawaii House Elects Rep. Scott Saiki Speaker". U.S. News & World Report. Associated Press. May 4, 2017. Retrieved 31 October 2017.
  3. ^ Nakaso, Dan (2024-08-11). "Kim Coco Iwamoto upsets House Speaker Scott Saiki in Primary Election". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Retrieved 2024-08-11.
  4. ^ a b c "REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT K. SAIKI (D)". Hawaii State Legislature.
  5. ^ a b c d Dayton, Kevin (2020-08-05). "Iwamoto Challenges Speaker Saiki For Hawaii House Seat". Honolulu Civil Beat. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  6. ^ a b c d e f "Vote Smart | Facts For All". Vote Smart. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  7. ^ "50th Anniversary Gala". University of Hawaii Foundation.
  8. ^ "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.
  9. ^ Harjo-Livingston, Sandy (2024-02-19). "Swimming with Speaker Saiki: A day in the life of the Hawaiʻi State Speaker of the House". KHON2.
  10. ^ "ABOUT SCOTT". Scott Saiki Hawaii. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  11. ^ a b c d "Scott Saiki".
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Political offices
Preceded by Speaker of the Hawaii House of Representatives
2017–present
Incumbent