KAPELA, Jeanne
Party: Democratic · Backing: Establishment
Platform: Incumbent State Representative for House District 5 (South Kona / Kaʻuā / Pāhala / Ocean View), serving since 2020.
- Incumbent State Representative for House District 5, covering South Kona, Naʻaalehu, Kaʻuā, Pāhala, Ocean View, Volcano, Mountain View, and Keaʻau; first elected in 2020 and the first woman and Native Hawaiian ever to represent this district, per her campaign website jeannekapela.com.
- Chairs the Working Families Caucus at the State Legislature and serves as Vice Chair of the House Higher Education and Technology Committee; her platform, per jeannekapela.com, centers on economic and social justice, clean economy, and uplifting working families.
- Official House member page at capitol.hawaii.gov/legislature/memberpage.aspx?member=71&year=2025 and campaign site jeannekapela.com document her legislative record; previously served as Executive Director of Unite Hawaiʻi and on the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival and Kona Coffee Farmers Association boards.
Editorial summary: KAPELA filed for the STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DIST 5 race with an active campaign website. Voters should visit https://jeannekapela.com and follow local candidate forums and Civil Beat Q&As for detailed and verifiable platform positions.
Key issues: Economic & social justice, Clean economy & environment, Working family support, Higher education & technology
Website: https://jeannekapela.com
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03