A Son of District 20
As a fourth-generation Japanese American born and raised in St. Louis Heights, Jackson is proud to call District 20 and Hawaiʻi his home.
Jackson attended Hokulani Elementary, Punahou, and graduated college from NYU Shanghai.
After studying in Shanghai, Washington D.C, and Abu Dhabi, Jackson returned home with a global perspective and an unwavering commitment to making Hawaiʻi a better place.
A Leader Dedicated to Service
While returning from college, Jackson was aware that most of his peers were staying abroad or on the mainland. Their outlook for job opportunities in Hawaiʻi felt bleak. The best and the brightest of his peers simply weren’t excited about returning home. They knew they could find better wages, more opportunities, and lower costs of living elsewhere.
Jackson is running for the State House of Representatives to fight for a Hawaiʻi where hardworking families can thrive—supported by a government that reflects community values and the Aloha spirit. Where his generation and future generations can continue to call home.
Jackson’s passion for public service inspired him to serve his community at every level—from interning in the Honolulu Mayor’s office and Senator Brian Schatz’s Washington, DC office to now serving on the St. Louis Heights Neighborhood Board.
From the rising cost of living to the threat of climate change, our community faces complex issues that require new leaders to bridge generations, bring fresh ideas, and unite our community. Jackson is such a leader—and he's ready to work hard today for a Hawaiʻi that his and future generations can continue to call home.
A deep sense of COMMUNITY
While growing up, Jackson spent his summers in Ibaragi, Japan with his mother, Yumiko, and twin brother, Richard. In this small, rural town Jackson first felt the value of a thriving community built on communal trust and responsibility.
It wasn’t until he returned to Hawai`i after college that Jackson saw echoes of this community spirit in the majority Hawaiian houseless community of Puʻuhonua O Waiʻanae.
"Folks at the camp watch each other's kids and helps each other out," Jackson says.
"You can see people have a sense of responsibility for their neighbors; a natural manifestation of the Aloha spirit. Talking to houseless individuals, I realized living with Aloha can create safer, stronger communities that lead to effective governance."
email Jackson!
Live in the district? Jackson would love to hear what issues are most important to you. Email him at jackson@jacksonsayama.com.