Scott Saiki

Nakamura assuming the speaker position did not come as a surprise. Moments after former Speaker Scott Saiki lost his seat in the August primary to Kim Coco Iwamoto, House members were talking about Nakamura as the next speaker.

The Hawaiʻi Elections Commission meetings are often overtaken with disagreements and criticism of the current voting process. HPR's Ashley Mizuo investigates the ongoing election denialism sweeping the nation — including here in Hawaiʻi.

The primary election over the weekend resulted in big changes for the state. Longtime House Speaker Scott Saiki lost to Kim Coco Iwamoto, a former state Board of Education member. When the Legislature reconvenes in January, the House will need to choose a new speaker. HPR's Ashley Mizuo reports.

House Speaker Scott Saiki, State Insurance Commissioner Gordon Ito, and Insurance Associates' Sue Savio join us to discuss recent increases in property insurance and the ties to climate change

Condominium owners are seeing their property insurance double or triple in some cases. That was the topic of a recent town hall meeting hosted by state lawmakers whose districts largely comprise condo dwellers. House Speaker Scott Saiki spoke to The Conversation about the situation.

A section in the Hawaiʻi State Constitution threatens marriage equality for same-sex couples. Lawmakers are considering a constitutional amendment to remove it. HPR's Ashley Mizuo has more.

The House of Representatives has released a bipartisan Maui wildfire bill package that largely focuses on fire prevention and emergency preparedness. Proposed measures seek to establish an Office of the State Fire Marshal, fund long-term air quality research, and more. HPR's Ashley Mizuo reports.

Hawaiʻi's 2024 legislative session is officially underway. The priority list clearly starts on Maui — but includes issues around the islands such as water management, sustainability, economic development and affordable housing. HPR's government and politics reporter Ashley Mizuo has more.

In a "unified" statement, city and state leaders formally announced their decision to work together on policy to guide the Navy’s defueling and remediation efforts of the island’s aquifer.

After each session, the state Legislature releases an official record of events, but while lawmakers meet on the floors of their chambers, members can have their words stricken from that record. HPR's Sabrina Bodon reports.