Adrian Tam

Tam is a second-generation Asian American of Taiwanese ancestry.^[1][2] His father had served as an assistant to a draftsman, and his mother worked in sales.^[1] Following graduation from Kalani High School,^[3] he graduated with a degree in history from Pennsylvania State University, and upon returning to Hawaii, began working for his family's real estate company.^[1][2]

Tam worked in the Hawaii Senate for Senator Stanley Chang before running for public office in 2020.^[4][5] He defeated incumbent Tom Brower in the Democratic Party primary election,^[3][6] then won the general election for the 22nd district of the Hawaii House of Representatives against Republican Party candidate Nicholas Ochs, who previously served as the vice chairman of Donald Trump's Hawaii campaign in the 2016 United States elections, had strong support from Roger Stone and drew media attention for founding the Hawaii chapter of the Proud Boys.^{[7][8][9][10][11]} After Tam was seated, he became the only openly gay member of the Hawaii State Legislature.^[12][13][a]

Following the 2021 storming of the United States Capitol, Tam and other Hawaii lawmakers signed a letter requesting rioters to be placed on the federal No Fly List.^[15][b]

Tam is a member of the Progressive Legislative Caucus.^[20]

In December 2023, Tam was elected interim Chair of the Democratic Party of Hawaii by the State Central Committee. His term ended on May 19, 2024, and was succeeded by Derek Turbin.^[21]

In 2024, Tam was named the Chair of the House Committee on Tourism. In 2025, him and Senator Lynn DeCoite passed SB 1571, a bill that downgraded the Hawaii Tourism Authority governing board to an advisory board following public distrust and mismanagement over the agency.^[22]

Tam lives with his dog, Winston.^[23]

In June 2021, Queerty named Tam one of its "Pride50" people "who made a positive impact in the last year and who are helping to lead the nation toward equality, acceptance, and dignity for all queer people".^[24]