April 20, 2025

AG Day - Celebrating Hawaii's Farmers, Food, & Future



Ag Day at the Capitol, which was held on February 20th, was a unique opportunity to celebrate and support Hawaii’s diverse agricultural industry. Hosted by the Hawaii Farm Bureau, this annual event brought together local farmers, ranchers, agricultural organizations, and policymakers to showcase the vital role agriculture plays in our state’s economy, food security, and sustainability. Rep. Sayama had an opportunity to sample fresh, locally grown products, learn about innovative farming practices, and engage with leaders shaping Hawaii’s agricultural policies. By fostering connections between lawmakers and the agricultural community, Ag Day highlights the importance of investing in local food production and ensuring a thriving future for Hawaii’s farmers and ranchers.
April 15, 2025

Chinese New Year Celebration



For over a century, Palolo Chinese Home has been a cornerstone of compassionate senior care in Hawaii providing high-quality services to support the well-being of kūpuna in our community On February 15th, Palolo Chinese Club held its annual Chinese New Year Celebration, where residents, families, and guests came together to enjoy traditional performances, festive activities, and a shared appreciation of heritage. Rep. Sayama had an opportunity to talk story with residents of the home and be a part of the Year of the Snake celebration. Through its dedication to innovation and community partnerships, Palolo Chinese Home continues to serve as a trusted resource for families seeking compassionate elder care.
April 16, 2024

Kaimuki Students Visit the Capitol



Kaimuki High School students experienced firsthand the legislative process and the workings of state government. By meeting with Rep. Sayama, touring the capitol building, and observing a House floor session, students were able to gain a deeper understanding how laws are made and how public policy affects their communities. These visits also encourage civic engagement by allowing students to ask questions, share their perspectives, and see how they can participate in government. Such experiences can inspire future careers in public service and reinforce the importance of informed citizenship.
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."