Calvin Say Leaving Long-Held House Seat For Council Run

One of Hawaii’s longest-serving lawmakers aims to fill a vacant council position.

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Calvin Say, a Democrat who has represented the Kaimuki and Palolo area since 1976, is making a run for the Honolulu City Council.

Rep Calvin Say has a disagreement on the floor early in crossover session.
Rep. Calvin Say has been a state legislator for decades. Cory Lum/Civil Beat

Once one of the youngest individuals to ever become a member of the Hawaii House of Representatives, Say, 68, is now among the most senior legislators in the state. He served as the Speaker of the House from 1999 through 2012.

Say is seeking to replace Councilwoman Ann Kobayashi who has represented District 5 since 2009 and is term-limited.

As of the last campaign finance reporting period that ended in December 2019, Say’s account was in the red by $8,724.

Also running for Council District 5 are attorney Philmund Lee and Palolo resident Dave Watase.

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