Scott Saiki
Scott Kazuo Saiki 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.
In the 2024 primary election, Saiki lost his seat in a close race with Kim Coco Iwamoto.
Early life and education
Saiki was born in Honolulu, Hawai‘i on July 17, 1964 and grew up in Kailua, Hawaii. 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. In 1988, he was a student intern for U.S. Senator Daniel Akaka. As a law student, he advocated for requiring students to complete a pro bono program.
Early career
After graduating from law school, Saiki worked as an attorney, practicing disability law and personal injury litigation.He is a former staff attorney at the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii and assistant to state Representative David Hagino.
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.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. In addition to serving in office, he continues to practice disability law.
Community involvement and affiliations
- Member, Board of Directors, Advocates for Public Interest Law
- Member, Hawaii State Bar Association
- Member, Mōʻiliʻili Community Center
- President of the National Conference of State Legislatures
- Chairperson, Japan-Hawaii Legislators’ Friendship Association
Personal life