Gregg Takayama

Gregg Takayama was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, and earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Hawaii at Manoa in 1978. His professional experience includes serving as director of community and government affairs at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and communications director for Lieutenant Governor Ben Cayetano and the State Department of Public Safety. Takayama's volunteer experience includes working as director of the Friends of Pearl City Library and serving on the board of the Pearl City Community Association and the Pearl City Foundation. Takayama was elected to the Hawaii State House of Representatives in 2012.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Gregg Takayama has served in the Hawaii State House since 2012.

He is a long-time Pearl City resident who, with wife Linda Chu Takayama, has raised three daughters. Gregg is a proud product of public schools, a former award-winning journalist at KHON-TV; served as press secretary to late U.S. Senator Dan Inouye; and communications director at the University of Hawaii.

Gregg has received the following awards for his legislative work:

2025 State Legislator of the Year, Healthcare Association of Hawaii;

Top State Champion Award in 2019, AARP;

Certificate of Recognition and Appreciation from the Alzheimer's Association for exceptional service in 2019.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Pearl City deserves a representative who shows up to work and delivers results.

Since my first election in 2012, I have obtained more than $60 million for improvements to Pearl City publlic schools, plus $30 million for modernization of the Pearl City Public Library.

I've authored measures to establish the first-in-the nation Kupuna Caregivers Program to assist family members caring for loved ones; increase gun safety measures; and establish the correctional system oversight commission.

I was recognized in Civil Beat as one of only 2 legislators to miss only two votes in the 2025 session.During my chairmanship of the House Health Committee in 2025-26, I was responsible for passage of several laws to improve health and safety and prevent illness, among them:

measures to prohibit the sale of flavored e-cigarettes and disposable vaping devices;

establishment of centers for diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease and dementias;

improvements to the prior authorization process;

increased funding for immunization vaccines and viral hepatitis;

funding for colorectal screening and treatment for uninsured persons;

in-home health care and support services for frail elderly who are ineligible for government assistance;

improved access to medical cannabis.The biggest problem facing Hawaii is the high cost of living. I strongly support measures that have reduced taxes for individuals and working families.

We need to preserve safe drinking water supplies. I was appointed by the House Speaker to the 7-member House Special Committee on Red Hill, to address concerns about water remediation and other issues caused by the fuel contamination.

Public safety is a continuing concern. I have sponsored legislation to enable stronger enforcement of fireworks laws and impose stiffer penalties on violators, which have curtailed the use of illegal aerial fireworks. I also strongly support more effective rehabilitation programs in our jails and prisons to reduce recidivism.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Helping persons suffering from Alzheimer's Disease and other dementias, as well as their families, is a priority for me because of my family's own experience. When my father was diagnosed with dementia more than 20 years ago, there were few resources available to assist family caregivers with finding treatment, nursing care and other information.

That led to my support for measures to assist family caregivers, funding for public information campaigns about dementia, enactment of a "silver alert" system for missing elderly, and enactment this year of a measure to create a statewide network of centers for diagnosis and treatment of dementias.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Hawaii State Teachers Association (HSTA);

Hawaii Firefighters Association;

Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates;

Hawaii Government Employees Association (HGEA);

General Contractors Assoc.;

Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters;

Hawaii Realtors PAC;

Operating Engineers Local 3.

Gregg Takayama did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

Gregg Takayama did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

Gregg Takayama did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2020 Candidate Connection survey.