Souki: House will not take up Say residency issue

State House Speaker Joseph Souki said the House will not take up a challenge to Rep. Calvin Say’s residency before the November elections.

Six Palolo voters have questioned whether Say lives in the Palolo state House district he has represented since 1976 or actually lives with his family in Pauoa Valley. The voters lost a legal challenge in Circuit Court but plan to appeal. After the court ruling, the voters asked the House to investigate Say’s residency.

In a letter Friday to Lance Collins, an attorney for the voters, Souki said the House cannot unilaterally call itself into special session. The speaker also cited the potential appeal of the court ruling.