KAWAKAMI, Derek S.K.
Party: Democratic · Backing: Establishment
Platform: Outgoing Kauaʻi mayor running for Lt. Governor on a county-executive infrastructure record.
- Term-limited Mayor of Kauaʻi now running for Hawaiʻi Lieutenant Governor; has framed the campaign around bringing hands-on county-executive experience to statewide office.
- Built his Kauaʻi record around housing supply, county infrastructure, and clean energy build-out — encouraged infill development and supported renewable energy expansion as mayor.
- Open to visitor-fee tools (a 'green fee' or similar) to fund infrastructure and conservation.
- Currently the only major Democrat in the LG race after Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke declined to seek re-election.
Editorial summary: Derek Kawakami's LG campaign is framed around his county-executive record on housing, infrastructure, and clean energy. His campaign launch coverage, documented in Hawaiʻi Public Radio and Hawaiʻi News Now articles, describes the case that those skills translate to statewide office and positions him as open to visitor-fee revenue tools.
Key issues: Housing supply, Infrastructure, Renewable energy, County-state coordination
Website: https://derekkawakami.com
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03