Punahou alumni State Rep. Mike Lee ’00 and State Rep. Jackson Sayama ’15 returned to campus on Oct. 14 for a lunchtime discussion about their experiences in the Hawaiʻi Legislature, the challenges of public service and the importance of civic engagement.
Lee, who is serving his second term in the House of Representatives, and Sayama, who will become the youngest state senator in Hawaiʻi history when he takes office in November, shared their paths into politics and the lessons they have learned along the way. The two previously worked together as vice chair and chair, respectively, of the House Labor Committee, where Sayama advocated for paid family leave, a policy adopted by 13 states but not yet Hawaiʻi.
The discussion highlighted their legislative priorities, from mental health and community well-being to addressing everyday concerns raised by constituents. Both emphasized the importance of connecting with voters through door-to-door campaigning and community outreach.
The alumni also discussed voter participation, particularly among younger generations. Sayama shared his interest in proposing legislation to lower the voting age to 16, noting that many young people leave Hawaiʻi for college and register to vote elsewhere. He encouraged students to “start small” with their advocacy efforts and build on those experiences to make a difference in their communities.
