Scott Saiki

Scott Kazuo 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
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	(1964-07-17) July 17, 1964 (age 60) 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

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

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

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

• 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

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

Electoral history

2014

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

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

2018

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

2020

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

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

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%