2025 HOUSE AND SENATE SESSION JOB OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE NOW

Photo of Jackson D. Sayama

House District 21
St. Louis Heights, Pālolo Valley, Maunalani Heights, Wilhelmina Rise, Kaimukī
Room: 443
Phone: 808-586-6900
Fax: 808-586-6910
repsayama@capitol.hawaii.gov

Rep. Sayama is a proud fourth generation Japanese-American, born and raised in St. Louis Heights. Graduating from Punahou, Rep. Sayama went to China where he attended the New York University of Shanghai. After gaining a global perspective, Rep. Sayama returned home and found that many of his family, friends, and neighbors moved to the mainland. With a hope to build a Hawaii where local families can thrive, Rep. Sayama d edicated himself to public service.

Having served on his neighborhood board and as Vice-Chairman of the Labor and Tourism Committee, Rep. Sayama understands the importance of listening to his constituents to create sound policies and take action. In his first term, Rep. Sayama spearheaded legislation to address the rampant catalytic converter thefts and introduced legislation to improve afterschool care programs. In the district, Rep. Sayama has organized a COVID vaccination event and served hundreds of residents and has continued to engage teachers and principals on school improvements.

April 5, 2023

AFFORDABLE HOUSING



To better understand what affordable housing in Kaimukī might look like, Representative Sayama visited Hale Kālele with Vice Speaker Greggor Ilagan. We were impressed with the affordability of units, accommodations, and management of the facility. While Rep. Sayama does not intend to emulate all aspects of Hale Kālele, such as its 20 story height, he hopes to use it as a model to maximize the utility of the Kaimukī property not only for housing and Pre-K classrooms, but also for community needs like public parking.
April 5, 2023

LIFESMARTS 2023



Congratulations to the 2023 Kalani High School Hawaiʻi LifeSmarts Team for reaching the state finals where they competed against teams from Maryknoll and Waipahū High School. Sponsored by the State Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and Hawaiʻi Credit Union League, LifeSmarts is a national competition that tests the students’ knowledge of personal finance, health and safety, the environment, technology, and consumer rights and responsibilities.
March 8, 2022

HB 1860 (2022) Relating to Catalytic Converters

During the 2022 Legislative Session, Rep. Sayama reintroduced a bill relating to catalytic converters. This bill aimed to stop the ongoing catalytic converter thefts in the State by adding more requirements for catalytic converter sales and increase the penalty of converter theft.
Click here to see the video
January 8, 2022

COVID-19 Clinics



With the surge of the Omicron variant, Rep. Sayama partnered with Department of Health, Project Vision and other community organizations to host two COVID-19 clinics where they offered vaccinations, boosters and rapid testing. From the hard work and dilligence of the volunteers and staff, they were able to test and vaccinate hundreds of residents.
February 11, 2022

After School Care Program



Rep. Sayama visited schools within District 20 and spoke with the organizers in charge of the afterschool care programs; they discussed how COVID-19 has impacted the faculty and students, the application process parents undergo and how Rep. Sayama can better help with legislation.
February 4, 2022

Sterling Higa: Those Struggling To Get By Are Hardest Hit by Catalytic Converter Thefts

[Rep.] Sayama says he heard about catalytic converter theft from Alan Nakamura, the owner of Kaimuki Auto Repair. That conversation led Sayama to research catalytic converter theft, which he found was a problem not only in his district, but nationwide.

Last year, Sayama introduced HB 446, which sought to establish a new offense for theft of a catalytic converter. HB 446 also required businesses engaged in the sale or purchase of used motor vehicle parts to keep more detailed records and report attempted sales of undocumented parts to the police.

'It’s an incredibly disruptive crime to a working family,' says Sayama. He’s confident that a bill related to catalytic converter theft will pass this session. 'If not my bill, at least someone else’s.'

Sayama admits that his bill won’t eliminate catalytic converter theft, but it can help to eliminate the local market for catalytic converters. Local buyers act as a medium between thieves and the international buyers of precious metals, says Sayama. Increasing the friction of buying and selling decreases profits, and the added risk of criminal penalty should discourage would-be thieves.

'We’re just trying to make it a lot less attractive.'

To read the full article click here
April 5, 2021

Rep. Sayama Introduces Bill To Alleviate Catalytic Converter Thefts



Freshman Hawai'i State Rep. Jackson Sayama and several state lawmakers introduced House Bill 446 that would help alleviate the increasing thefts of catalytic converters from vehicles. The bill passed first reading in the House and has been assigned to committees. Catalytic converters contain precious metals that thieves steal and then sell as the price of metal skyrockets, according to police.

The bill calls for new requirements on the buyer and seller of catalytic converters and increases fines for violators. Businesses that buy used parts and metals would be required to refuse the purchase of used motor vehicle parts or accessories and report the attempted sale to police if a seller does not provide appropriate information at the time of the attempted sale.

The bill would help protect families dependent on their vehicles to go to work and take their children to school, said Sayama (D-20, St. Louis Heights, Palolo, Maunalani Heights, Wilhelmina Rise, Kaimuki).

"Many families are already struggling with the pandemic and don't have an extra $1,000 to $2,000 to replace their stolen catalytic converter," Sayama said. "Just as the legislature cracked down on the theft of copper in 2013, we must place safeguards to prevent the illegal trade and theft of catalytic converters now."
2025 Committee Member of
 Measures Introduced in 2025
Measure and Title
HB69
RELATING TO A COMPENSATORY TIME CASH-OUT PILOT PROGRAM.
HB125
RELATING TO FIREARMS.
HB128
RELATING TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM.
HB133
RELATING TO SURFING.
HB159
RELATING TO QUALIFIED COMMUNITY REHABILITATION PROGRAMS.
HB160
RELATING TO THE HAWAII EMPLOYER-UNION HEALTH BENEFITS TRUST FUND.
HB161
RELATING TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING.
HB162
RELATING TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING.
HB163
RELATING TO REIMBURSEMENT OF PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES.
HB164
RELATING TO INDEBTEDNESS TO THE STATE.
HB165
RELATING TO THE HAWAII LABOR RELATIONS BOARD.
HB166
RELATING TO THE DEFENSE OF STATE EMPLOYEES.
HB167
RELATING TO HAZARD PAY.
HB168
RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT.
HB169
RELATING TO MOPEDS.
HB170
RELATING TO LABOR.
HB171
RELATING TO LABOR.
HB172
RELATING TO STATE WORKERS.
HB173
RELATING TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING.
HB174
RELATING TO LABOR.
HB202
RELATING TO THE ADEQUATE RESERVE FUND.
HB203
RELATING TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT.
HB205
RELATING TO WORKERS' COMPENSATION.
HB213
RELATING TO LOAN REPAYMENT FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS.