Hawaii House Speaker Scott Saiki’s High-Profile Agenda Is Raising Questions…Saiki has empowered the House to be a much-needed political player this year. But concerns about his methods and his ultimate goal are growing.
House Speaker Scott Saiki offered a taste of his intentions on the House floor last July as the Legislature dramatically shut down at the height of the pandemic.
“We know that this is the most challenging time that Hawaii has faced since statehood,” said Saiki, standing at the speaker’s rostrum. “It will not be easy to reopen Hawaii incrementally while still assuring public health and safety, but this is when we need to lead.”
True to his word, Saiki has been way out in front during the past year.
He launched the high-profile House Select Committee on COVID-19 Economic and Financial Preparedness that prodded Gov. David Ige to do more to cope with the pandemic, and also helped develop strategies to speed the reopening of the state economy.
