In contentious District 25 race, Kim Coco Iwamoto unseats House Speaker Scott Saiki
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - In a contentious race, Kim Coco Iwamoto has been elected to House District 25, unseating House Speaker Scott Saiki.
After losing to Saiki in two prior elections with less than 200 votes, Iwamoto mounted a strong campaign against him for the District 25 seat.
The third printout in the primary election showed Iwamoto secured 2,649 votes, with Saiki behind with 2,395.
District 25 covers Ala Moana, Kakaako, and Downtown Honolulu.
House Speaker Saiki’s loss in this tough campaign territory could shake up all of state government.
If the powerful House speaker can be beaten in this tough campaign territory, it could shake up all of state government.
In an interview with HNN, Gov. Josh Green shared his input on the close race.
“My heart is with Scott, because I’ve served with him for all these years,” Green said.
“Now, I can say some very positive things about Kim Coco too. She’s been an extraordinary advocate, very intelligent human being, passionate...We have never had anything totally in common. We ran against each other one time for the lieutenant governorship, but these are very competent people, and there’s going to be a very strong representative that comes out of that district. But, it will be somewhat of a shock to the system at the Legislature if the Speaker doesn’t prevail.”
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At Iwamoto’s election headquarters at Morning Brew in Kakaako, the crowd cheered with excitement over the results of the first printout.
“I’m so happy. We’ve never, ever been ahead in a report that given the last three times,” Iwamoto said. “I wasn’t just, you know, campaigning against him. I was campaigning against the entire Democratic establishment in some ways.”
Throughout her campaign she’s emphasized her work to listen to the community.
“I really look at campaigning as an extension of my community service and community involvement and my philanthropy. All of that is tied in to just wanting to improve the quality of life for our neighbors, especially the kupuna, the young families, you know, our unsheltered neighbors...that’s what motivates me,” Iwamoto said.
Signs for the candidates can be seen scattered around the neighborhood and along main roadways.
Iwamoto said hearing from voters has been encouraging with many saying, “It’s time for change.”
As a civil rights attorney and former elected school board member, Iwamoto ran unsuccessfully for lieutenant governor and state Senate before beginning three campaigns against Saiki.
She lost to Saiki by 167 votes in 2020 and 161 votes in 2022.
Meanwhile, Saiki is endorsed by the governor and other top politicians, which Iwamoto said proves he’s entrenched.
The match-up will be the most expensive state House campaign. As of the end of June, Saiki has spent $227,091 and Iwamoto $109,183.
One of the big issues present in the district is the rising rates of condo insurance.
One of Iwamoto’s flyers claimed Saiki failed to prevent the condo insurance crisis. Saiki said he’s working with the governor to address the emergency.
Saiki also touts a major tax relief bill, which Iwamoto believes won’t last long.
Because both candidates for District 25 are Democrats, the winner will be decided Saturday.
Click here for full election results.
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