The following profiles cover candidates for Kauaʻi County, Maui County, Honolulu, and statewide races relevant to Kauaʻi residents. Each profile links to a full candidate detail page at kauaivotes.org.
GOVERNOR
Party: Democratic · Backing: Independent
Platform: Democratic gubernatorial candidate running on a 'Make Hawaiʻi Safe' public-safety platform.
- Hawaiʻi resident since 1977; holds a JD from the University of San Diego, an MBA from UCLA, and a bachelor's in accounting.
- Background as a business consultant and small-business owner with prior teaching, media, and legal experience.
- Filed as a Democrat for the 2026 Hawaiʻi gubernatorial primary; campaign tagline is 'Make Hawaiʻi Safe' with public safety as the organizing theme.
Editorial summary: Duke Bourgoin is a Democratic candidate in the 2026 gubernatorial primary. His campaign platform, documented at duke4gov.com, emphasizes public safety as the organizing theme alongside small-business advocacy.
Key issues: Public safety, Small business, Crime
Website: https://duke4gov.com
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Republican · Backing: Establishment
Platform: Oʻahu real-estate developer running as a Republican on tax cuts and deregulation.
- Successful businessman and entrepreneur; since 1998 his company Kingdom Builders has produced residential and commercial real estate on Oʻahu.
- Statewide platform centers on across-the-board tax cuts (including property-tax reductions) and deregulation of the building and permitting process.
- Filed as a Republican candidate for Hawaiʻi Governor in the 2026 election.
Editorial summary: Gary Cordery is a Republican candidate for Hawaiʻi Governor. His campaign site's Vision & Priorities platform page, documented at garycorderyforgovernor.com, describes his positions on permitting deregulation, tax restraint, and business climate improvements.
Key issues: Tax reduction, Permitting deregulation, Property-tax relief, Business climate
Website: https://garycorderyforgovernor.com
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Republican · Backing: Independent
Platform: Community candidate for Governor.
- Filed for the GOVERNOR race in 2026; no prior county or state elected office on record in the filing data.
- No campaign website was on file at the time of the Hawaiʻi Office of Elections filing.
- The 2026 Hawaiʻi gubernatorial race features incumbent Gov. Josh Green seeking re-election against a field of challengers; housing affordability, cost of living, and Hawaiʻi's economic future are the central campaign themes.
Editorial summary: FUJIYAMA filed for the GOVERNOR race. With limited published platform material as of the April 2026 review, voters should consult candidate forums and local media for verifiable stances.
Key issues: Housing affordability, Cost of living, Education funding, Economic development, Climate resilience
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Independent
Platform: Community candidate for Hawaiʻi Governor; campaign site is rrrenai.com.
- Filed for GOVERNOR in 2026; campaign website listed as rrrenai.com.
- Running as a nonpartisan candidate in the 2026 gubernatorial primary.
- Voters should visit https://rrrenai.com to review the candidate's specific positions and platform priorities before the August 8, 2026 primary.
Editorial summary: John M. Raghu Giuffre is a community candidate running for Hawaiʻi Governor. Voters should visit https://rrrenai.com for the candidate's platform positions.
Key issues: Housing affordability, Cost of living, Education funding, Economic development, Climate resilience
Website: https://rrrenai.com
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Democratic · Backing: Establishment
Platform: Incumbent Democratic governor running for re-election on housing emergency, climate, and visitor green-fee.
- 9th Governor of Hawaiʻi, in office since December 5, 2022; running for re-election in 2026.
- Has made housing his signature issue — issued emergency housing proclamations to cut permitting red tape and has framed Hawaiʻi's roughly 50,000-unit shortage as an affordability and equity crisis.
- Architect of statewide visitor 'green-fee' proposals to fund climate resilience and conservation.
- Healthcare-focused budget priorities (Green is an emergency-room physician by training).
Editorial summary: Josh Green is the incumbent Democrat seeking a second term. His State of the State addresses and signed legislation, documented on the Office of the Governor website and Hawaiʻi Public Radio, show identification with using executive authority to accelerate housing through the HALE framework, a visitor-funded climate-resilience strategy, and strong healthcare priorities.
Key issues: Housing emergency, Visitor green fee, Climate resilience, Healthcare
Website: https://joshgreenforhawaii.com
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Independent
Platform: Community candidate for Hawaiʻi Governor; campaign site is bu4gov.com.
- Filed for GOVERNOR in 2026 as a nonpartisan candidate; campaign website is bu4gov.com.
- Running in a crowded open primary field alongside incumbent Gov. Josh Green and multiple challengers.
- Voters should visit https://bu4gov.com to review the candidate's specific positions and platform priorities before the August 8, 2026 primary.
Editorial summary: Bu Laia Hill is running for Hawaiʻi Governor in 2026. Voters should visit https://bu4gov.com for platform positions.
Key issues: Housing affordability, Cost of living, Education funding, Economic development, Climate resilience
Website: https://bu4gov.com
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Independent
Platform: Community candidate for Hawaiʻi Governor; campaign site is mac808.com.
- Filed for GOVERNOR in 2026 as a nonpartisan candidate; campaign website is mac808.com.
- Running in the 2026 gubernatorial primary against incumbent Gov. Josh Green and multiple other candidates.
- Voters should visit https://mac808.com to review the candidate's specific positions and platform priorities before the August 8, 2026 primary.
Editorial summary: Mac Lewman is running for Hawaiʻi Governor in 2026. Voters should visit https://mac808.com for the candidate's platform positions.
Key issues: Housing affordability, Cost of living, Education funding, Economic development, Climate resilience
Website: https://mac808.com
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Democratic · Backing: Independent
Platform: Democratic community candidate for Hawaiʻi Governor; no campaign website on file as of June 2026.
- Filed for GOVERNOR in 2026 as a Democratic candidate; no campaign website was listed in the Hawaiʻi Office of Elections filing database as of June 2026.
- Running in the Democratic gubernatorial primary against incumbent Gov. Josh Green.
- Voters seeking more detail on this candidate's positions should attend candidate forums and follow Civil Beat, Hawaiʻi News Now, and Hawaiʻi Public Radio as the August 8, 2026 primary approaches.
Editorial summary: George Teva Lucas-Tadeo is a Democratic candidate for Hawaiʻi Governor. With no website on file as of the June 2026 review, voters should monitor civil beat and local news for any published platform statements.
Key issues: Housing affordability, Cost of living, Education funding, Economic development, Climate resilience
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Democratic · Backing: Independent
Platform: Democratic gubernatorial candidate and technology entrepreneur running on an AI-and-innovation platform; campaign site is alohaai.io.
- Filed as a Democratic candidate for GOVERNOR in 2026; campaign website is alohaai.io, which signals a technology and artificial-intelligence focused platform.
- Running in the Democratic gubernatorial primary against incumbent Gov. Josh Green and other challengers.
- Campaign positioning around innovation and AI-era governance is consistent with the alohaai.io branding; specific policy positions should be verified at the campaign site and in forthcoming Civil Beat Q&As ahead of the August 8, 2026 primary.
Editorial summary: Lauren Kapoliahi Iaka Shim is a Democratic gubernatorial candidate in 2026 whose campaign branding (alohaai.io) emphasizes technology and innovation. Voters should visit https://www.alohaai.io for detailed platform positions.
Key issues: Technology & AI policy, Innovation economy, Housing affordability, Cost of living, Education funding, Economic development
Website: https://www.alohaai.io
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Independent
Platform: Community candidate for Hawaiʻi Governor; no campaign website on file as of June 2026.
- Filed for GOVERNOR in 2026 as a nonpartisan candidate; no campaign website was listed in the Hawaiʻi Office of Elections filing database as of June 2026.
- Running in the crowded 2026 gubernatorial primary field.
- Voters seeking more detail on this candidate's positions should attend candidate forums and follow Civil Beat, Hawaiʻi News Now, and Hawaiʻi Public Radio as the August 8, 2026 primary approaches.
Editorial summary: Calvert A. Williamson is a community candidate for Hawaiʻi Governor in 2026. With no website on file as of the June 2026 review, voters should monitor local news for any published platform statements.
Key issues: Housing affordability, Cost of living, Education funding, Economic development, Climate resilience
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
KAUAI COUNCILMEMBER
About the 2026 Kauaʻi County Council Race
The Kauaʻi County Council is a seven-member body elected at-large, meaning every registered voter on Kauaʻi picks up to seven of the candidates from the same island-wide ballot — the top seven vote-getters in the general election win seats. The Council has no sub-districts; all seats are island-wide. As of the June 9, 2026 official filing record, 27 candidates filed for the race; Bart Thomas withdrew after initially filing. Council Chair Mel Rapozo vacated his seat to run for mayor. Fern Holland is among the filed candidates who previously served on the Council. The at-large structure means voters choose among all island-wide candidates on a single ballot. Key issues candidates have addressed in campaign coverage include housing affordability, the role of short-term vacation rentals, tourism-driven development, and public-safety and infrastructure investment. Voters should consult candidate websites, KKCR Elections forum recordings, and Honolulu Civil Beat candidate Q&As for verifiable stances.
Open seat — no incumbent running.
Primary date: 2026-08-08
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Independent
Platform: Retired KPD Police Captain, Army Reserve veteran, and emergency incident commander; 'Safe Kauaʻi' campaign.
- U.S. Army Reserve veteran and retired Kauaʻi Police Department Police Captain — over two decades with KPD, leading investigations, patrol operations, administrative functions, and internal affairs.
- Served as Emergency Management Incident Commander during Hurricane Lane, the 2018 Wainiha floods, the 2019 flooding events, and the COVID-19 pandemic response on Kauaʻi. Former School Resource Officer, DARE instructor, and Civil Air Patrol Captain.
- Campaign organized around the 'Safe Kauaʻi' platform — public safety, emergency preparedness, and accountable policing as his lead issues; took principled stands at KPD in defense of transparency and equity.
- Believes 'real leadership means showing up, listening, and putting people first'; emphasizes community engagement, youth sports coaching, and church leadership as expressions of his community-rooted approach.
- Dedicated to serving the people of Kauaʻi and Niʻihau with integrity and commitment; raised on Hawaiʻi Island but has spent the majority of his adult life on Kauaʻi.
Editorial summary: Paul Applegate brings a two-decade KPD career, Army Reserve service, and hands-on emergency management experience to the 2026 council race. His campaign site at PaulForKauai.com documents his 'Safe Kauaʻi' platform emphasizing public safety, transparency, and community accountability — grounded in his record as a police captain and COVID/hurricane incident commander.
Key issues: Public safety, Emergency preparedness, Policing transparency, Community accountability, Youth programs
Website: https://www.PaulForKauai.com
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Independent
Platform: Incumbent council member, chiropractor, and Planning Committee Chair focused on sustainable systems and resident resiliency.
- Incumbent Kauaʻi County Council member (2024–2026 term); currently serves as Chair of the Planning Committee and Vice Chair of the Housing and Intergovernmental Relations Committee.
- Born and raised on Kauaʻi; owner and operator of The Specific Chiropractic Center in Līhuʻe; Director of the Kauai Filipino Chamber of Commerce and board member of the Lihue Business Association.
- Public platform centers on developing sustainable county systems and supporting local-resident economic resiliency; frames his healthcare and small-business background as preparation for navigating county budget and planning decisions.
- Has completed community health outreach programs internationally (Cebu, Philippines; San Salvador, El Salvador; Managua, Nicaragua), reflecting a community-service orientation that extends beyond electoral politics.
- Civil Beat 2024 candidate Q&A on file documents his positions on housing affordability, agricultural food systems, and county budget priorities; running for re-election to continue his planning and housing committee work.
Editorial summary: Addison Bulosan is an incumbent council member and chiropractor whose council leadership in planning and housing, documented at bulosanforcouncil.com and in his 2024 Civil Beat Q&A, reflects a sustained focus on sustainable food systems, workforce housing, and small-business economic resiliency for local Kauaʻi families.
Key issues: Sustainable food systems, Workforce housing, County planning, Small business, Intergovernmental relations
Website: https://www.bulosanforcouncil.com
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Grassroots
Platform: Born and raised in Kīlauea, small-business owner running for council with affordable housing as his top priority.
- Born and raised on Kauaʻi (Kīlauea); describes himself as 'not a politician — my only special interest is the people of this island.' Runs a small business and has a longstanding public profile as an ocean photographer, shark-conservation advocate, and shark-attack survivor.
- On affordable housing (his top priority): would push the Mayor to declare a Housing Emergency Proclamation; advocate for tiny homes and pre-approved package homes on agricultural land with alternative waste solutions (composting toilets, water-catchment); and rubber-stamp permitting for pre-approved home designs to cut approval time.
- On protecting the island: supports policies that keep Kauaʻi a livable home for local residents and future generations — balancing growth with preservation of community character and environmental quality.
- On working together: believes a council seat is 'a line on a vote and a position in a room,' not a social media account; emphasizes coalition-building, plain-language accountability, and mechanisms that actually move the needle.
- Backed tighter limits on visitor accommodations and stronger shoreline preservation rules in his prior public advocacy; continues to prioritize coastal and community protection on the council platform.
Editorial summary: Mike Coots is a lifelong Kauaʻi resident (Kīlauea) and small-business owner whose 2026 council platform, documented at coots4council.com, lists affordable housing as the island's defining crisis and calls for a Housing Emergency Proclamation, tiny-home permitting on agricultural land, and pre-approved package-home processing. His background as a shark-conservation advocate and ocean photographer underscores his coastal and community-protection orientation.
Key issues: Affordable housing, Housing emergency action, Coastal & community protection, Permitting reform, Island preservation
Website: https://www.coots4council.com
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Independent
Platform: Kauaʻi community candidate with established local political connections who participated in the May 2026 candidate forum.
- Filed nomination papers on March 27, 2026, accompanied by family and community supporters — one of the earliest council candidates to file; The Garden Island published a dedicated profile article on April 4, 2026, indicating community recognition at the outset of the race.
- Wife of Kirk Correa; has family connections to established Kauaʻi political networks, which provided early organizing infrastructure and community support as she entered the race.
- Participated in the Kapaa Business Association 2026 Political Forum on May 16, 2026 — one of 23 candidates who presented three-minute statements at Ohana Christian Fellowship in Kapaʻa to a full hall of community members.
- Has an active ActBlue fundraising page, signaling a structured campaign operation; specific policy platform positions were not publicly indexed as of the June 2026 review. Voters should consult KKCR forum recordings and Civil Beat Q&As for sourced stances.
Editorial summary: Michelle Kaleiohi Correa received dedicated Garden Island coverage when she filed in March 2026 and participated in the May 16 KBA political forum. Her family political network and organized campaign (ActBlue fundraising, early filing) suggest an established candidacy. Specific policy positions had not been published as of June 2026; voters should follow KKCR forums and Civil Beat for Q&As.
Key issues: Housing affordability, Tourism management, Community representation, Infrastructure
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Establishment
Platform: Former council member (2020–2024) who lost his seat in 2024 and is returning in 2026; water systems, ag land, and roads focus.
- Served on the Kauaʻi County Council from 2020 to 2024, losing his seat in the November 2024 general election; filed nomination papers for the 2026 race on May 13, 2026.
- Prior Council record and 2024 Civil Beat candidate Q&A document a consistent focus on county water systems — advocating for investment in infrastructure that maintains safe, reliable water delivery across the island.
- Supports protections for agricultural land: resists rezoning that would convert productive agricultural parcels to non-farm uses; frames ag-land protection as central to Kauaʻi's long-term food security and character.
- Prioritizes road and infrastructure repair as a basic obligation of county government — citing deferred maintenance and pothole remediation as measures that directly affect daily quality of life for residents.
- Generally cautious on large-scale density upzoning and rapid visitor-industry restructuring; favors steady, incremental management of existing county systems over major policy overhauls.
Editorial summary: Billy DeCosta is a former Kauaʻi County Council member (2020–2024) who is returning to the ballot in 2026. His Civil Beat 2024 Q&A and prior council record, documented at civilbeat.org, reflect sustained positions on county water infrastructure, agricultural land preservation, road repair, and measured growth management.
Key issues: County water systems, Agricultural land protection, Roads & infrastructure, Measured growth
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Unknown
Platform: "Community over Commodity" — Kauaʻi-born, 30-year-old theology graduate student and former judicial clerk/funeral director running to resist the outside economic commodification of Kauaʻi.
- Among the last candidates to file for the 2026 Kauaʻi County Council race: filed nomination papers on May 28, 2026 per The Garden Island June 2 news briefs — within days of the June 1 filing deadline.
- Born and raised on Kauaʻi, Fernandes Caberto, 30, is a Kauaʻi High School graduate who holds a BA in Religious Studies from Arizona State University. He is currently pursuing graduate studies in Religion and Indigenous Traditions at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, Calif., with a thesis exploring the desecration of sacred land in Hawaiʻi and India.
- His campaign slogan is 'Community over Commodity.' He argues that Kauaʻi is increasingly shaped by outside economic pressures that conflict with local needs — with overtourism as his top concern — and that land is more than an economic resource. He advocates for local agriculture and food security, and for land-use decisions made with future generations in mind, not merely the next development proposal.
- One of the younger candidates in the race, Fernandes Caberto believes the people who will live longest with today's decisions should have the greatest role in making them. He references the late Dr. Haunani-Kay Trask's concept of 'cultural prostitution' — the transformation of Hawaiian culture into a commodity for consumption rather than something belonging to a living people.
- Beyond his academic career, his professional experience includes work with the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary (judicial clerk, Drug Court) and the funeral industry as a licensed funeral director — experiences he says showed him how quickly stability can disappear and why strong communities matter long before a crisis arrives.
Editorial summary: Trysten ("Trykie") Fernandes Caberto, 30, was born and raised on Kauaʻi and graduated from Kauaʻi High School. He holds a BA in Religious Studies from Arizona State University and is currently a graduate student at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California, studying Religion and Indigenous Traditions; his thesis explores the desecration of sacred land in Hawaiʻi and India. His professional background includes work as a judicial clerk for the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary (Drug Court) and as a licensed funeral director. His campaign slogan — "Community over Commodity" — frames his central argument: that Kauaʻi's challenges (housing costs, overtourism, rising cost of living, environmental pressure) stem from outside economic forces commodifying the island and its culture. He invokes the late Native Hawaiian scholar Dr. Haunani-Kay Trask's concept of "cultural prostitution" to describe how Hawaiian traditions are converted into commercial products. Fernandes Caberto advocates for local agriculture, food security, and land-use decisions made with future generations in mind. As one of the younger candidates in the race, he believes those who will live longest with today's decisions should have the greatest role in making them.
Key issues: Tourism and overtourism, Cost of living and housing affordability, Land stewardship and local agriculture, Community-centered governance, Youth representation in local government
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-08
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Independent
Platform: Retired county lifeguard and former high school swimming coach from Kapaʻa running to 'bridge misunderstandings.'
- Jeremy Haupt of Kapaʻa is a retired County of Kauaʻi lifeguard and former high school swimming coach; has been cited by Marquis Who's Who — a recognition typically based on professional achievement and civic contribution.
- Campaign theme: 'bridge misunderstandings' between different Kauaʻi community factions, residents, and interest groups — positioning his council candidacy as a mediating and listening role in a divided political environment.
- His background as a county lifeguard gives him direct familiarity with beach access, ocean safety, parks infrastructure maintenance, and the public facilities issues that the council funds and oversees.
- Filed nomination papers on April 23, 2026; The Garden Island published a dedicated profile article on May 26, 2026 — 'Haupt wants to bridge misunderstandings' — indicating meaningful local press recognition of his candidacy. No campaign website was available as of the June 2026 review.
Editorial summary: Jeremy Haupt is a retired Kauaʻi county lifeguard and swimming coach whose Garden Island profile (May 26, 2026) describes a 'bridge misunderstandings' council campaign. His parks and ocean-safety background suggests likely focus on beach access, public facilities, and community dialogue. Voters should follow KKCR forums and local media for specific policy positions.
Key issues: Community dialogue, Beach & parks access, Public safety infrastructure, Housing affordability
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Grassroots
Platform: Environmental scientist and community organizer on the Council; ag, ʻāina, and clean-energy focus.
- Environmental scientist and community organizer; previously food systems director for the Hawaiʻi Alliance for Progressive Action (HAPA).
- Featured in the 2016 Pierce Brosnan documentary Poisoning Paradise on pesticide and GMO impacts in Hawaiʻi — has a long public record on agriculture and ʻāina protections.
- Backs tighter limits on visitor accommodations and stronger shoreline preservation rules.
- Supports continued build-out of Kauaʻi renewable energy and watershed protection.
Editorial summary: Fern Ānuenue Holland's Council record and prior HAPA work, documented in her campaign site and Star-Advertiser profile, show sustained engagement on agricultural land preservation, coastal protection, and renewable energy issues.
Key issues: Agriculture & ʻāina protection, Coastal preservation, Renewable energy, Visitor industry limits
Website: https://votefern.com
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Grassroots
Platform: Born-and-raised Kauaʻi grandfather and community listener running to amplify every resident's voice on the council.
- Campaign website (keola4council.com) states his mission as 'Moving Kauaʻi forward with Aloha' and describes his commitment to 'amplifying the voices of all residents in Kauaʻi' — the official, candidate-authored framing of his council candidacy platform.
- Campaign site describes him as 'a proud son of Kauaʻi, born and raised on the island that shaped his values, spirit, and deep love for community' — with growing up in a family of five instilling his values of kuleana, respect, and standing together; now a father, stepfather, and grandfather of three.
- Argues on his campaign website that a council seat is primarily about listening, inclusivity, and ensuring every resident's voice is 'heard and valued in the decision-making process' — positioning his candidacy as a community advocacy role rather than a policy-innovation one.
Editorial summary: Keola Kaiminaauao's campaign site frames his candidacy around aloha-grounded community listening and representation of underrepresented residents. His platform does not yet include specific legislative priorities or policy positions; his focus appears to be process and representation — ensuring working families and kupuna are heard on housing, cesspool costs, and beach access decisions.
Key issues: Community representation, Housing affordability, Resident advocacy, Environmental stewardship
Website: https://keola4council.com
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Establishment
Platform: Fourth-generation Koloa farmer with prior Council Chair tenure (2014–2022); re-elected incumbent running again in 2026.
- Fourth-generation Koloa farmer; previously served on the Kauaʻi County Council from 2014 to 2022 (including as Council Chair), lost a 2022 re-election bid, and returned to win a council seat in the 2024 election. Filed for re-election again on May 15, 2026.
- Brings a small-business and working-agriculture perspective to council deliberations; frames his candidacy around 'homegrown sensibility' and ensuring Kauaʻi's values are perpetuated while the county economy thrives for future generations.
- Supports raising the homestead exemption and giving owner-occupant residents targeted property-tax relief to offset rising costs.
- Open to higher-density zoning where county infrastructure can support it, and to expanded county transportation investment.
- Generally cautious on new tax measures and supportive of streamlining building regulations; believes careful, collaborative deliberation — not slogans — produces good county decisions.
Editorial summary: Arryl Kaneshiro is a returning Council veteran with a working agricultural background. His prior Chair tenure (2014–2022) and re-election in 2024, documented at his campaign site and on Ballotpedia, reflect a focus on county infrastructure investment, property-tax relief for owner-occupants, and steady fiscal management. He filed for re-election on May 15, 2026.
Key issues: County budget, Property-tax relief, Agriculture, Permitting reform, Infrastructure
Website: https://www.votekaneshiro.com
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Independent
Platform: Kapaʻa handyman and return council candidate who filed in May 2026 for a second run.
- Kapaʻa resident James R. Langtad lists his occupation as handyman on his 2026 Hawaiʻi Office of Elections nomination filing — one of the few trades-background candidates in the 2026 Kauaʻi council field.
- A return council candidate: this is at least his second run for the Kauaʻi County Council; filed nomination papers on May 18, 2026, per the Office of the County Clerk, Elections Division.
- His 2026 filing was covered in The Garden Island news briefs on May 20, 2026 — the primary public record confirming his candidacy; no campaign website or Q&A material was separately published as of the June 2026 review.
Editorial summary: James Langtad is a Kapaʻa handyman and return council candidate. His trades background suggests a practical infrastructure focus — road maintenance, deferred facility upkeep, and cost-effective county public works — but no policy statements have been published. Voters should follow KKCR forums and The Garden Island for candidate Q&As.
Key issues: Infrastructure maintenance, Trades & skilled-labor representation, Housing affordability, Road repair
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Independent
Platform: Kauaʻi community candidate with a likely law enforcement background who participated in the May 16, 2026 KBA political forum.
- Participated in the Kapaa Business Association 2026 Political Forum on May 16, 2026 at Ohana Christian Fellowship in Kapaʻa — one of 23 registered candidates who each delivered a three-minute statement to a full hall of community members and former officials, per The Garden Island (May 19, 2026).
- Filed nomination papers for the 2026 Kauaʻi County Council race; one of 26+ candidates competing for four open at-large island-wide council seats in the August 8, 2026 primary.
- The only publicly indexed contact identifier for his campaign is the email handle 'hawnrobocop' — on file with the Hawaiʻi Office of Elections / county clerk; no campaign website or published platform was available as of the June 2026 review.
Editorial summary: Tom Lindsey Jr. actively participated in the May 16, 2026 KBA forum, demonstrating campaign engagement. The 'hawnrobocop' email handle suggests a possible law enforcement or first-responder background. No published policy positions are on record; voters should follow KKCR election forums and The Garden Island for candidate statements.
Key issues: Public safety, Housing affordability, Infrastructure, Environmental protection
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Independent
Platform: One of the first candidates to file for the 2026 Kauaʻi County Council race, filing on March 25, 2026.
- Skylar Workman (name spelled 'Skylar' on official filings) filed nomination papers for the 2026 Kauaʻi County Council race on March 25, 2026 — one of the earliest candidates to formally enter the field, per the Office of the County Clerk, Elections Division and The Garden Island (April 3, 2026).
- One of more than 26 candidates competing for four open at-large Kauaʻi County Council seats in the August 8, 2026 primary — the most simultaneous council openings in recent Kauaʻi history, with three incumbents vacating seats to run for mayor and a fourth term-limited.
- No campaign website, published platform, or public Q&A was indexed as of the June 2026 review; the April 3, 2026 Garden Island news brief confirming his filing remains the primary public sourcing record for his candidacy.
Editorial summary: Skylar Workman was among the earliest candidates to file for the 2026 Kauaʻi County Council race. No policy positions or background information beyond his filing date are on the public record as of June 2026. Voters should follow KKCR election forums and The Garden Island for candidate statements ahead of the August 8 primary.
Key issues: Housing affordability, Solid waste management, Tourism management, Infrastructure
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Independent
Platform: Westside Kauaʻi farmer, small business owner, and community coach running on Aloha, Authenticity, and Integrity.
- Born and raised in Kekaha on the Westside of Kauaʻi; background includes work as a youth counselor, poi mill employee, substitute teacher for nearly a decade, and high school canoe paddling coach. Continues to farm in Kekaha and co-owns Umi's Store in Waimea.
- Served on agriculture-related advisory boards at the county, state, and federal levels; cites this multi-tier government experience as preparation for council work.
- Supports expanding recycling access island-wide, reducing waste sent to the landfill, and improving collection and sorting infrastructure.
- Advocates for long-term landfill capacity planning, improved waste management systems, and exploring sustainable alternatives to reduce landfill reliance.
- Supports a practical, cost-manageable transition from cesspools to modern sewage infrastructure, prioritizing protection of Kauaʻi's water quality and public health.
- Prioritizes housing affordability and workforce housing for local families, calling for responsible development that keeps communities accessible and stable.
Editorial summary: Umi Martin is a working-class Westside Kauaʻi native whose platform is grounded in his farming, small-business, and agricultural-board experience. His campaign website lists four concrete issue areas — recycling, landfill capacity, cesspool conversion, and housing affordability — making his platform among the most specific of the 2026 council field. His family roots in the plumbers union and small-business ownership track closely with a practical, infrastructure-first outlook.
Key issues: Recycling infrastructure, Landfill capacity, Cesspool-to-sewer conversion, Workforce housing, Agriculture
Website: https://umi4council.com
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Independent
Platform: Westside Kauaʻi community candidate John 'Scooby' Mattos, linked to Westside Fish and Feed, who filed in April 2026.
- John H. Mattos, known as 'Scooby,' is publicly connected to Westside Fish and Feed on Kauaʻi — a Westside agricultural and fishing supply business; his campaign contact is associated with the Westside Fish and Feed email domain.
- Filed nomination papers for Kauaʻi County Council on April 9, 2026, per the Office of the County Clerk, Elections Division; participated in the Kapaa Business Association 2026 Political Forum on May 16, 2026, delivering a three-minute candidate statement at Ohana Christian Fellowship in Kapaʻa.
- No campaign website or separately published policy platform was available as of the June 2026 review; the Garden Island's coverage of the May 16 forum (published May 19, 2026) and his April 9 filing announcement are the primary public sourcing records for his candidacy.
Editorial summary: John 'Scooby' Mattos is a Westside Kauaʻi community candidate with ties to Westside Fish and Feed. His Westside business connection and community roots suggest likely attention to agricultural water rights, Westside infrastructure, and the economic needs of fishing and farming communities — but no policy statements are on record. Voters should follow KKCR forums and The Garden Island.
Key issues: Agricultural water rights, Westside community, Ocean access, Infrastructure
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Independent
Platform: Kauaʻi community candidate who filed for the 2026 County Council race on May 22, 2026.
- Filed nomination papers for the 2026 Kauaʻi County Council race on May 22, 2026 — among the later candidates to enter the field; per the Office of the County Clerk, Elections Division, as reported in The Garden Island news briefs on May 27, 2026.
- One of more than 26 candidates competing for four open at-large Kauaʻi County Council seats in the August 8, 2026 primary — the most simultaneous openings in recent Kauaʻi history, as three incumbents moved to the mayoral race and a fourth is term-limited.
- No campaign website, policy platform, or public Q&A was indexed as of the June 2026 review; the May 27, 2026 Garden Island news brief confirming his filing remains the primary public sourcing record.
Editorial summary: John Montemayor filed for the 2026 Kauaʻi council race in late May 2026. No background information or policy positions are on the public record as of June 2026. Voters should follow KKCR election forums and The Garden Island and Civil Beat for candidate Q&As ahead of the August 8 primary.
Key issues: Housing affordability, Solid waste management, Tourism management, Infrastructure
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Independent
Platform: Kapaa High grad, UH Manoa Political Science alumnus, and community organizer returning to Kauaʻi after 20 years on the mainland.
- Born and raised on Kauaʻi; graduated from Kapaʻa High School in 1982; subsequently spent approximately 20 years on the U.S. mainland (California) before returning to Hawaiʻi and earning a bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Hawai'i at Manoa.
- Self-described as having been 'a manager, coach, and community organizer' across his career; frames his return to Kauaʻi and council candidacy as giving back to the community that shaped him.
- Filed for Kauaʻi County Council on April 24, 2026; The Garden Island covered his entry into the race ('Nelson Mukai enters county council race') with a dedicated profile article.
- Has a 2022 Civil Beat candidate Q&A on the public record from a prior council run, providing documented positions on Kauaʻi housing, tourism impacts, and county operations issues.
- Voters should consult his 2022 Civil Beat Q&A and any updated KKCR or Garden Island forum coverage for his current 2026 platform positions ahead of the August 8 primary.
Editorial summary: Nelson Mukai is a Kapaʻa-raised council candidate who spent 20 years on the mainland before returning to Kauaʻi. His 2022 Civil Beat Q&A and Garden Island profile from April 2026 document his background and prior positions. Voters should consult that Q&A and current KKCR/media coverage for his 2026 stances.
Key issues: Housing affordability, Tourism management, Community development, Environmental protection
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Independent
Platform: Running on Housing, Sustainability, and Community — "We are Strong Together."
- Cites homelessness, mental health struggles, drug addiction, an overwhelmed sewer system, and landfill capacity as the core challenges she is running to address.
- On housing: supports responsible development, solutions prioritizing local residents, and balance between growth and preservation of Kauaʻi's character.
- On environment and land: advocates for protecting Kauaʻi's land and water, responsible resource management, and long-term sustainability — framing clean land as "not optional, it is Pono."
- On waste and sustainability: proposes innovative waste-to-revenue solutions modeled on European practices, with the goal of turning waste streams into economic assets while reducing Kauaʻi's environmental footprint.
- On community and culture: supports respect and unity across differences, honoring Hawaiian culture and heritage, and ensuring no families, kupuna, or keiki are left behind.
Editorial summary: Yelena Okhman's campaign website lists explicit positions across four named issue areas — housing, environment/land, waste and sustainability, and community/culture — sourced from yelenaforkauai.com. Her specific citation of European waste-to-revenue models is a documented campaign position. She has no prior elected office on record; voters seeking more detail should attend KKCR election forums and consult Civil Beat Q&As ahead of the August 8 primary.
Key issues: Housing affordability, Environmental protection, Waste-to-revenue, Community and culture, Homelessness and mental health
Website: https://yelenaforkauai.com
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Independent
Platform: 4th-generation Kauaʻi native and Mayor's Office public servant running to put local families first and deliver local government that works.
- Born and raised on Kauaʻi (4th generation); graduated Kauaʻi High School (2000) and Washington State University with a degree in Business Administration / Management Information Systems (2004). Currently serves in the Mayor's Office overseeing the County's Capital Improvements Program; spent 15 years prior in private-sector development and small business.
- Campaign centerpiece: "Put local families first" — every County decision should be viewed through the lens of how it affects local families, working people, and future generations.
- Advocates for delivering the basics of government well — roads, infrastructure, public facilities, safety, and essential services — arguing that trust is earned through competence, not slogans.
- Supports making public safety a top Council priority, including safe infrastructure, emergency preparedness, and the basic conditions that keep communities secure.
- Committed to transparent stewardship of taxpayer dollars: make decisions carefully, prioritize wisely, and keep government focused on value over politics.
- Filed for Kauaʻi County Council on May 6, 2026; officially launched his campaign April 12, 2026.
Editorial summary: Todd Ozaki is a public servant currently overseeing the County Capital Improvements Program in the Mayor's Office, giving him hands-on experience with county budgets and infrastructure delivery. His published campaign priorities — families first, basic service delivery, public safety, taxpayer stewardship, and accountability — are drawn directly from his campaign website. He is among the better-documented newcomers in the 2026 field given his detailed campaign site and local news coverage.
Key issues: Local families first, Infrastructure and basic services, Public safety, Fiscal accountability, County government competence
Website: https://toddozaki.com
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Independent
Platform: Kapaʻa resident and machine operator; ran for Kauaʻi Mayor in 2022 and is now seeking a County Council seat.
- Filed nomination papers for Kauaʻi County Council on approximately April 1, 2026; previously ran for Kauaʻi Mayor in the 2022 election.
- On tourism (from 2022 Civil Beat Q&A): identified tourism-driven strain on roads, infrastructure, beaches, parks, trails, and resident housing costs as Kauaʻi's biggest challenge; called for honest, head-on plans to address tourism impacts rather than denial.
- On cesspool conversion (from 2022 Civil Beat Q&A): argued that because government mandated the end of cesspools, government should subsidize or pay for the $15,000–$30,000 conversion cost rather than placing the burden entirely on homeowners.
- On disaster preparedness (from 2022 Civil Beat Q&A): endorsed the county's mission to mitigate, prepare, and respond to natural disasters; supported learning from each event and revamping response plans.
- Former member of the Kapaʻa Rotary Club; resides in Kapaʻa, Kauaʻi.
Editorial summary: Michael Roven Poai has the most documented public record among the no-website candidates thanks to his 2022 mayoral run and corresponding Civil Beat Q&A. His 2022 positions — government subsidy for cesspool conversion, honest reckoning with tourism costs, and steady disaster preparedness — suggest a pragmatic, resident-focused outlook. Whether those positions have evolved for his 2026 council bid is unknown; voters should consult KKCR forums and any updated Civil Beat coverage for current stances.
Key issues: Tourism management, Cesspool-to-sewer conversion, Disaster preparedness, Infrastructure
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Independent
Platform: Fifth-generation Kauaʻi resident, licensed Realtor, and small-business owner running for council on community-stability themes.
- Fifth-generation Kauaʻi resident with deep family roots on the island; a licensed Realtor — a professional role that gives her direct, operational familiarity with Kauaʻi's real estate market, housing affordability trends, and transient vacation rental policy.
- Small-business owner who officially announced her council candidacy through a dedicated Garden Island article on June 1, 2026 — 'Cheree Rapozo announces candidacy for county council' — in which she described her motivation as protecting the community she grew up in.
- Filed nomination papers on May 7, 2026; in her own words (per the Garden Island article), her fifth-generation Kauaʻi heritage motivates her candidacy — framed as 'not just a place on a map' but a multigenerational community worth protecting.
Editorial summary: Cheree Rapozo is a fifth-generation Kauaʻi Realtor and small-business owner who officially launched her 2026 council campaign via a June 1, 2026 Garden Island article. Her real-estate background positions her to address housing supply mechanics — zoning, TVR policy, market-rate rental, and homeownership access for long-term island families — but no specific policy positions beyond her candidacy motivation statement have been published.
Key issues: Housing affordability, TVR & rental policy, Homeownership for residents, Community stability
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Independent
Platform: Lifelong Kapaʻa native, teacher, financial planner, 4-time marathon runner, and two-time council candidate.
- Lifelong Kauaʻi native raised in Kapaʻa; attended Kapaʻa Elementary, Middle, and High Schools; earned a Congress-Bundestag Scholarship in high school and spent a year living in Germany; holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and studied at Kauaʻi Community College.
- Multi-career professional: works as a teacher and financial planner; has also performed as a stand-up comedian and is a four-time marathon runner — bringing a diverse, community-engaged life experience to her council candidacy.
- Ran for Kauaʻi County Council in 2022 on a platform of giving back to the community that raised her; featured in Civil Beat's 2022 coverage on the persistent underrepresentation of women on the Kauaʻi County Council; returning for the 2026 race with an active campaign site at rachelsecretario.org.
- Active campaign website at rachelsecretario.org details her 2026 candidacy; she ran previously in 2022 and was featured in Civil Beat's reporting on the persistent underrepresentation of women on the Kauaʻi County Council — making her one of the most publicly documented non-incumbent candidates in the 2026 field.
Editorial summary: Rachel Secretario is a lifelong Kapaʻa native with careers spanning teaching, financial planning, and community performance. Her 2022 and 2026 council campaigns at rachelsecretario.org and Civil Beat coverage reflect a commitment to community representation and the challenge of electing women to Kauaʻi County Council. Her financial planning expertise is expected to inform a fiscally responsible approach to county budgeting.
Key issues: Community representation, Fiscal responsibility, Housing affordability, Women in local government, Environmental protection
Website: https://rachelsecretario.org
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Independent
Platform: Born-and-raised Kauaʻi banking professional with 25+ years in finance; filed for council in May 2026.
- Born and raised on Kauaʻi; has spent 25+ years in banking and finance, currently employed with HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union on Kauaʻi — bringing a financial-services perspective to county budget, capital projects, and economic-development questions.
- Filed nomination papers on May 22, 2026 for Kauaʻi County Council; The Garden Island published a dedicated profile article ('Taylor Shigemoto enters Kauaʻi County Council race') covering his entry into the field.
- Expected to bring a data- and finance-oriented lens to county fiscal management, infrastructure funding, and housing investment questions; specific platform positions were not publicly indexed beyond his professional background as of the June 2026 review.
- Voters should consult KKCR forum recordings and Garden Island candidate coverage for specific policy stances and priorities ahead of the August 8, 2026 primary.
Editorial summary: Taylor Shigemoto is a born-and-raised Kauaʻi banking professional with 25+ years of financial-services experience who filed for council in May 2026. His Garden Island profile is the primary source for his background. Specific policy positions were not yet published as of June 2026; voters should follow KKCR forums and local media for updates.
Key issues: County fiscal management, Housing affordability, Infrastructure funding, Economic development
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Independent
Platform: Affordable housing project manager in Hanalei running for the 2026 Kauaʻi County Council.
- Publicly identified as the Hale Kakoʻo Project Manager — overseeing a Chan Zuckerberg Initiative–backed affordable rental housing development in Hanalei; has been directly quoted: 'Sadly, in a town known for its beauty and spirit, one of Hanalei's greatest challenges is housing essential workers, like teachers and lifeguards.'
- His quoted statement on essential-worker housing represents the only on-record policy-adjacent position attributable to his 2026 candidacy; it frames his core concern as closing the gap between Kauaʻi's resort-adjacent market rents and wages earned by the teachers, lifeguards, and service workers who sustain those communities.
- Filed for the 2026 Kauaʻi County Council under the campaign email handle 'danesmithforkauai'; no separate campaign website or published platform was publicly indexed as of the June 2026 review.
Editorial summary: Dane Smith's Hale Kakoʻo project management role and his direct quote on essential-worker housing make him the 2026 Kauaʻi council candidate with the most concrete professional grounding in affordable housing production. His practical expertise in housing development financing, permitting, and community land trust models suggests a focus on workforce housing supply, but no formal platform beyond the Hanalei quote is on record.
Key issues: Workforce housing, Housing supply, Permitting reform, Essential worker housing
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Independent
Platform: Former Intel operations manager and Waimea restaurant owner; filed then withdrew from the 2026 council race.
- Bart Thomas initially filed for the 2026 Kauaʻi County Council race and subsequently withdrew. His candidacy is no longer active per the Hawaiʻi Office of Elections candidate snapshot.
- Source: Hawaiʻi Office of Elections candidate filings: https://elections.hawaii.gov/candidates/
- Voters are encouraged to attend candidate forums, review local election coverage, and consult the Hawaiʻi Office of Elections voter guide for updated platform information before the August 8, 2026 primary.
Editorial summary: Bart Thomas withdrew from the 2026 Kauaʻi County Council race after initially filing. His name does not appear as a current filed candidate in the official May 2026 Hawaiʻi Office of Elections snapshot.
Key issues: County operations, Resident housing, Visitor-industry balance, Small business
Website: https://VOTEForBartKauai.com
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Independent
Platform: Kauaʻi resident since 1999 running for county council focused on housing, public works infrastructure, and natural resource access.
- Has lived and worked on Kauaʻi since 1999; campaign site describes a grassroots, work-in-progress effort built on community engagement and direct outreach to residents and neighbors.
- Top issue: Kauaʻi's housing crisis — specifically the gap between luxury home development and the urgent need for affordable housing; calls for addressing the impact of new development on traffic and neighborhood character.
- On public works: prioritizes new wastewater treatment facilities to replace aging or inadequate infrastructure; and a materials recovery facility to increase recycling and divert waste from the island's nearly-at-capacity landfill.
- Supports protecting and maintaining parks, beaches, and open spaces; advocates for protecting and increasing public access to Kauaʻi's natural resources.
- Frames his campaign at jt4Kauai.com as an evolving platform: 'This website, like me, is a work in progress' — inviting community input on how to best address Kauaʻi's issues before the August 8, 2026 primary.
Editorial summary: Jimmy Trujillo has been a Kauaʻi resident since 1999 and is running for council on a platform of housing affordability, public works modernization (wastewater, landfill/recycling), and natural resource access. His campaign site at jt4Kauai.com is the primary source for platform positions; voters should also attend KKCR forum events and follow the Garden Island for any additional candidate Q&As.
Key issues: Housing affordability, Wastewater infrastructure, Landfill & recycling, Parks & open space, Natural resource access
Website: https://www.jt4Kauai.com
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Independent
Platform: Return political candidate who previously ran for the Hawaiʻi House in 2010; filed for Kauaʻi County Council in April 2026.
- Has documented prior political history: ran as a nonpartisan candidate for the Hawaiʻi House of Representatives District 7 in the 2010 election cycle, per Ballotpedia, before withdrawing prior to the primary — the only previous electoral run on public record.
- Filed nomination papers for the 2026 Kauaʻi County Council race on April 9, 2026, per the Office of the County Clerk, Elections Division — returning to electoral politics 16 years after his 2010 state legislative bid.
- No campaign website, policy platform, or public Q&A was indexed as of the June 2026 review; his prior nonpartisan candidacy and 2026 county council filing are the sole public records of his political engagement.
Editorial summary: Herman Wilson has a documented prior political run on Kauaʻi — a 2010 Hawaii House District 7 nonpartisan candidacy — and returns to the ballot in 2026 for the county council. No policy positions are on the public record as of June 2026. Voters should follow KKCR forums and the Garden Island for candidate statements.
Key issues: Housing affordability, Tourism management, Infrastructure, Environmental protection
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
KAUAI MAYOR
About the 2026 Kauaʻi Mayoral Race — Open Seat
The 2026 Kauaʻi mayoral race is an open seat: incumbent Mayor Derek Kawakami is term-limited after serving two full terms (2018–2026) and cannot seek re-election. That makes this the first truly open mayoral contest on Kauaʻi in eight years, with no incumbent advantage on the ballot. As of the May 2026 official snapshot, these candidates filed for the race: Mel Rapozo, Bernard Carvalho Jr., Felicia Cowden, Megeso-William Denis, Laura Andaya-Lindsey, and Michaela B. Widener. Housing affordability is a prominent issue across the race — Kauaʻi median home prices have surpassed $900,000. Short-term rental (STR) enforcement, county permitting reform, tourism management, and infrastructure investment are among the policy areas candidates have addressed in filing and campaign coverage. Voters should consult candidate websites, KKCR Elections forum recordings, and local news for verifiable stances from each candidate.
Open seat — no incumbent running.
Primary date: 2026-08-08
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Establishment
Platform: Longest-serving Kauaʻi mayor in history (2008–2018); current council member running to return to the mayor's office.
- The longest-serving mayor in Kauaʻi history — finished the late Mayor Bryan Baptiste's unexpired term beginning in 2008, then won two full terms before terming out in December 2018. A former professional football player with the Miami Dolphins before his career in public service.
- Served as founding director of the Kauaʻi Department of Parks and Recreation (first appointed 2007), building a 10-year record of county parks, recreation programming, and community infrastructure investment before becoming mayor.
- Currently serves on the Kauaʻi County Council (elected 2020), following an unsuccessful 2018 bid for Lieutenant Governor; returning to the mayor's race with a continuity-of-services platform.
- Campaigns on sustaining and completing the capital improvement projects begun under the Kawakami administration, emphasizing steady management, reliable county services, and housing programs already underway.
- Emphasizes his deep institutional knowledge of county operations and his track record of managing county finances, infrastructure, and community programs through multiple economic cycles.
Editorial summary: Bernard Carvalho Jr. is the longest-serving mayor in Kauaʻi history and a current council member. His platform — documented in Hawaiʻi News Now and Civil Beat coverage — centers on continuity of the current administration's capital projects, housing programs, and county services rather than a sharp policy break.
Key issues: County capital projects, Parks & recreation, Housing continuity, County services, Infrastructure
Website: https://www.carvalhoformayor.com/
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Independent
Platform: Four-term council member and current committee chair; running for mayor on a People-First, servant-leadership platform.
- Has served on the Kauaʻi County Council since 2018 (four terms); current Chair of the Public Safety & Human Services Committee and Vice-Chair of Public Works & Veterans Services. Entered the 2026 mayoral race on March 8, 2026.
- On housing: would continue county housing villages in Eleele, Waimea, Kilauea, and Puhi (85 developable acres purchased in Puhi); create temporary safety zones to humanely move unhoused residents off sidewalks; restructure taxation on long-term market-rate rentals to make them more affordable for working families.
- Supports employer-owned workforce living structures as an alternative to the consumption of residential housing by temporary workers, and continued enforcement against unpermitted vacation rentals redirecting units back to the residential market.
- Prioritizes upgrading county infrastructure and improving government transparency and accountability as explicit mayoral pillars — running as an independent voice with a servant-leadership style.
- Long-standing council voice for tighter limits on transient vacation rentals (TVRs) and short-term rentals to protect resident housing supply; supports environmental stewardship and economic development as parallel mayoral priorities.
Editorial summary: Felicia Cowden's four council terms and 2026 mayor campaign, documented at feliciacowden.com and in The Garden Island and Kauaʻi Now, reflect a people-first, servant-leader approach with detailed housing policy commitments: expanding county village projects, restructuring market-rate rental taxes, employer workforce housing, and sustained enforcement against unpermitted vacation rentals.
Key issues: Affordable housing, Short-term rental enforcement, Workforce housing, Government transparency, Environmental stewardship
Website: https://FeliciaCowden.com
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Independent
Platform: Former Fortune 500 IT executive running for Kauaʻi mayor on a 'Kauaʻi 1st' people-before-government platform.
- Frames his campaign as a 'Kauaʻi 1st movement of the people': government exists to serve residents, not special interests; committed to transparent, accountable, and collaborative governance between the Mayor's Office, county departments, the council, and the community.
- Wants to restore local decision-making by returning authority to the Mayor, county administrators, and the people of Kauaʻi — ensuring policies improve quality of life for residents rather than outside interests.
- Proposes establishing a Cultural Kūpuna Council to formally guide protection of burial grounds, heiau, sacred sites, natural medicines, cultural identity, ahupuaʻa maintenance, and long-term ecological stewardship, honoring the rights and wisdom of Kanaka Maoli and Hawaiian Nationals.
- Would hire a full-time County of Kauaʻi Auditor for fiscal oversight, transparency, and responsible management of public funds; and streamline county operations to reduce permitting delays for residents.
- Prioritizes food sovereignty: protect local control of agriculture, land, and water; expand local organic food production; reduce environmental toxins; support mental-health services and humane shelter solutions.
Editorial summary: Megeso-William Denis is a Kauaʻi resident and former IT executive running on a 'Kauaʻi 1st' platform emphasizing local decision-making, cultural stewardship, fiscal oversight through a county auditor, and food sovereignty. His platform, documented at megesoformayor.com, blends progressive land/culture values with calls for institutional accountability.
Key issues: Local decision-making, Food sovereignty & land stewardship, Cultural preservation, County fiscal accountability, Permitting reform
Website: https://www.megesoformayor.com
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Independent
Platform: Catholic Charities community director running for mayor under the 'Hope In Action' banner; human services and county finance background.
- 62-year-old Kapaʻa resident who has spent more than 30 years in community development leadership with St. Catherine's School, Church, and related Catholic Charities institutions; currently serves as Community Island Director with Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi, overseeing programs serving vulnerable populations across the island.
- Previously worked in Kauaʻi County finance — giving her direct familiarity with county budget processes, capital project funding, and fiscal constraints on social service delivery.
- Running under the 'Hope In Action' campaign banner; told Kauaʻi Now that she entered the race after watching long-standing community issues go unaddressed for decades despite good intentions — the only direct on-record characterization of her motivation at the time of her March 23, 2026 filing.
Editorial summary: Laura Andaya-Lindsey entered the 2026 Kauaʻi mayor's race with a 'Hope In Action' platform grounded in 30+ years of community development and county finance work. Her Catholic Charities background and government finance experience suggest priorities around human services, vulnerable-population housing, kupuna care, and county fiscal responsibility — but no specific policy positions beyond her stated motivation have been published as of June 2026.
Key issues: Human services, Vulnerable-population housing, County financial discipline, Kupuna care
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Establishment
Platform: Council Chair with 21 years in the Air National Guard and 13 years with KPD; running for mayor on public-safety and fiscal-discipline platform.
- Council Chair Mel Rapozo identifies solid waste and landfill capacity as Kauaʻi's single most pressing near-term crisis: the existing landfill is approaching maximum capacity with no established plan for a new site, and he has led council resolutions pressing the administration to accelerate recycling programs and explore alternative waste-management technologies.
- Twenty-one years in the Hawaiʻi Air National Guard and thirteen years on the Kauaʻi Police Department; campaigns on putting public-safety experience at the center of county leadership.
- On homelessness: commits to combining compassion with accountability — expanding supportive housing that connects shelter with mental-health services, recovery programs, and job training, while protecting safety in public parks and neighborhoods.
- On affordable housing: will streamline county permitting and zoning to unlock more housing, support first-time homebuyers, and protect neighborhood character while balancing growth with infrastructure capacity.
- Supports targeted property-tax relief for owner-occupant residents and restraint on new county tax increases; treats visitor-industry revenue as a key county funding source.
Editorial summary: Mel Rapozo brings a career in public safety and decades of council experience to the 2026 mayoral race. His campaign site and prior council record, documented at melformayor.org and in local news, foreground the landfill crisis, affordable housing permitting reform, and a compassion-with-accountability approach to homelessness.
Key issues: Solid waste / landfill crisis, Affordable housing, Homelessness, Public safety, County fiscal discipline
Website: https://www.melformayor.org
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Independent
Platform: Single mother, Beach House restaurant worker, and former Oklahoma government staffer who filed for Kauaʻi mayor in May 2026.
- Single mother of two indigenous Hawaiian children residing in Koloa; works at the Beach House restaurant in Poipu — one of the few 2026 Kauaʻi mayoral candidates with a direct, day-to-day connection to the island's working-class service economy.
- Has prior government experience, having served in a government role in Pawnee, Oklahoma — documented in The Garden Island's June 2, 2026 profile article 'Michaela Widener joins the mayoral race,' which is the primary sourcing record for her background.
- Filed nomination papers on May 8, 2026, and formally joined the mayoral race as the sixth candidate on May 28, per county clerk records; The Garden Island profile (June 2, 2026) provided the first detailed public account of her candidacy rationale.
Editorial summary: Michaela Widener's working-class service-industry background and experience as a single mother of indigenous Hawaiian children suggest likely priorities around working-family housing, childcare affordability, and resident economic pressures — but no specific policy platform has been published as of June 2026. Voters should follow local media and KKCR forums for candidate statements.
Key issues: Working-family housing, Childcare & family support, Resident affordability, Service-industry community
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
Party: Republican · Backing: Establishment
Platform: Republican candidate for Hawaiʻi Lieutenant Governor; no campaign website on file as of June 2026.
- Filed as a Republican candidate for LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR in 2026; no campaign website was listed in the Hawaiʻi Office of Elections filing database as of June 2026.
- Running in the Republican primary for the LG seat vacated by Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke, who chose not to seek re-election.
- Voters seeking more detail on this candidate's positions should attend candidate forums and follow Civil Beat, Hawaiʻi News Now, and Hawaiʻi Public Radio as the August 8, 2026 primary approaches.
Editorial summary: Daniel Anthony is a Republican candidate for Hawaiʻi Lieutenant Governor in 2026. With no website on file, voters should follow local news for any published platform statements.
Key issues: State administration, Emergency management, Economic development, Housing affordability
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Democratic · Backing: Establishment
Platform: State House Majority Leader challenging Ed Case in the CD1 Democratic primary.
- Long-serving member of the Hawaiʻi State House of Representatives (House Majority Leader); announced her CD1 candidacy on September 26, 2025.
- Framing her campaign around bringing a different legislative emphasis to Washington, with focus on housing, healthcare, and labor issues.
- Will face incumbent Ed Case, Jarrett Keohokalole, Maxwell Frazier, and others in the August 8, 2026 primary.
Editorial summary: Della Au Belatti is the highest-profile challenger in the CD1 primary. Her State House majority-leader record and campaign launch coverage are documented at her campaign site, Ballotpedia, and Wikipedia.
Key issues: Progressive economic policy, Healthcare, Housing, Labor
Website: https://www.dellabelatti.com
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Democratic · Backing: Establishment
Platform: Democratic candidate for Hawaiʻi Lieutenant Governor; campaign site is HiJohnChoi.com.
- Filed as a Democratic candidate for LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR in 2026; campaign website is HiJohnChoi.com.
- Running in the Democratic LG primary alongside Kauaʻi-based Derek Kawakami and other candidates.
- Voters should visit https://HiJohnChoi.com to review the candidate's specific positions and platform priorities before the August 8, 2026 primary.
Editorial summary: John Choi is a Democratic candidate for Hawaiʻi Lieutenant Governor in 2026. Voters should visit https://HiJohnChoi.com for detailed platform positions.
Key issues: State administration, Emergency management, Economic development, Housing affordability
Website: https://HiJohnChoi.com
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Republican · Backing: Establishment
Platform: Republican candidate for Hawaiʻi Lieutenant Governor; campaign site is votehopehawaii.com.
- Filed as a Republican candidate for LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR in 2026; campaign website is votehopehawaii.com.
- Running in the Republican LG primary; the seat was vacated by Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke who chose not to seek re-election.
- Voters should visit https://votehopehawaii.com to review the candidate's specific positions and platform priorities before the August 8, 2026 primary.
Editorial summary: Hope Cresencia is a Republican candidate for Hawaiʻi Lieutenant Governor in 2026. Voters should visit https://votehopehawaii.com for platform positions.
Key issues: State administration, Emergency management, Economic development, Housing affordability
Website: https://votehopehawaii.com
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Republican · Backing: Independent
Platform: Candidate for U.s. representative, dist i in 2026; campaign website on file.
- Filed for the U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, DIST I race in 2026; campaign website is ku-lono-cuadra.org.
- Voters should visit https://ku-lono-cuadra.org for the candidate's platform positions and policy priorities ahead of the August 8, 2026 primary.
- Voters are encouraged to attend candidate forums, review local election coverage, and consult the Hawaiʻi Office of Elections voter guide for updated platform information before the August 8, 2026 primary.
Editorial summary: CUADRA filed for the U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, DIST I race with an active campaign website. Voters should visit https://ku-lono-cuadra.org and follow local candidate forums and Civil Beat Q&As for detailed and verifiable platform positions.
Key issues: Housing affordability, Economic development, Community services
Website: https://ku-lono-cuadra.org
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Democratic · Backing: Independent
Platform: Multi-race filer Bobby 'Ku Lono' Cuadra running for Lieutenant Governor; campaign site is ku-lono-cuadra.org.
- Bobby 'Ku Lono' Cuadra filed for LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR as a Democratic candidate in 2026; campaign site is ku-lono-cuadra.org.
- Cuadra has also filed in multiple other races across the 2026 ballot cycle, including state house and OHA contests.
- No substantive policy content was identified at ku-lono-cuadra.org as of the June 2026 review; voters should monitor the campaign site and local news for updated platform statements.
Editorial summary: Bobby 'Ku Lono' Cuadra is a multi-race filer who also filed for Lieutenant Governor as a Democrat in 2026. His campaign site is at https://ku-lono-cuadra.org.
Key issues: State administration, Emergency management, Economic development, Housing affordability
Website: https://ku-lono-cuadra.org
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Independent
Platform: Nonpartisan community candidate for Hawaiʻi Lieutenant Governor; no campaign website on file as of June 2026.
- Filed as a nonpartisan candidate for LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR in 2026; no campaign website was listed in the Hawaiʻi Office of Elections filing database as of June 2026.
- Running in the 2026 LG primary opened by Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke's decision not to seek re-election.
- Voters seeking more detail on this candidate's positions should attend candidate forums and follow Civil Beat, Hawaiʻi News Now, and Hawaiʻi Public Radio as the August 8, 2026 primary approaches.
Editorial summary: Kilakila Kamau is a nonpartisan community candidate for Hawaiʻi Lieutenant Governor in 2026. With no website on file, voters should monitor local news for any published platform statements.
Key issues: State administration, Emergency management, Economic development, Housing affordability
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
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
Party: Republican · Backing: Establishment
Platform: Republican candidate for Hawaiʻi Lieutenant Governor; campaign site is Mejia2026LtGovernor.org.
- Filed as a Republican candidate for LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR in 2026; campaign website is Mejia2026LtGovernor.org.
- Running in the Republican LG primary; the seat was vacated when Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke chose not to seek re-election.
- Voters should visit https://Mejia2026LtGovernor.org to review the candidate's specific positions and platform priorities before the August 8, 2026 primary.
Editorial summary: Margaret Rose Mejia is a Republican candidate for Hawaiʻi Lieutenant Governor in 2026. Voters should visit https://Mejia2026LtGovernor.org for detailed platform positions.
Key issues: State administration, Emergency management, Economic development, Housing affordability
Website: https://Mejia2026LtGovernor.org
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Republican · Backing: Establishment
Platform: Republican candidate for Hawaiʻi Lieutenant Governor; no campaign website on file as of June 2026.
- Filed as a Republican candidate for LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR in 2026; no campaign website was listed in the Hawaiʻi Office of Elections filing database as of June 2026.
- Running in the Republican LG primary for the seat vacated by Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke.
- Voters seeking more detail on this candidate's positions should attend candidate forums and follow Civil Beat, Hawaiʻi News Now, and Hawaiʻi Public Radio as the August 8, 2026 primary approaches.
Editorial summary: Robert E. Peters is a Republican candidate for Hawaiʻi Lieutenant Governor in 2026. With no website on file, voters should follow local news for any published platform statements.
Key issues: State administration, Emergency management, Economic development, Housing affordability
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Democratic · Backing: Establishment
Platform: Democratic candidate for Hawaiʻi Lieutenant Governor; no campaign website on file as of June 2026.
- Filed as a Democratic candidate for LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR in 2026; no campaign website was listed in the Hawaiʻi Office of Elections filing database as of June 2026.
- Running in the Democratic LG primary alongside Kauaʻi-based Derek Kawakami and other candidates.
- Voters seeking more detail on this candidate's positions should attend candidate forums and follow Civil Beat, Hawaiʻi News Now, and Hawaiʻi Public Radio as the August 8, 2026 primary approaches.
Editorial summary: Sam Puletasi is a Democratic candidate for Hawaiʻi Lieutenant Governor in 2026. With no website on file, voters should monitor local news for any published platform statements.
Key issues: State administration, Emergency management, Economic development, Housing affordability
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
MAUI MAYOR
About the 2026 Maui Mayoral Race — Incumbent Running
The 2026 Maui mayoral race centers on one overriding question: how well has the county government managed the aftermath of the August 2023 Lahaina wildfire — the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century — and what does recovery look like for the next four years? Incumbent Mayor Richard Bissen took office in December 2022 and has spent most of his first term navigating the disaster response: emergency housing placement, debris removal, rebuilding permitting, and coordinating with state and federal agencies. His re-election campaign is built squarely on that record, arguing that leadership continuity is essential during the multi-year Lahaina rebuild. Nine challengers have filed to oppose him: John Dunbar, Justin Herrmann, P. Denise La Costa, Travis A. Liggett, Joseph Moses, Amy Petterson, Yuki Lei Kashiwa Sugimura, Callahan P. Welsh, and Laurent Zahnd. Together they represent a wide range of perspectives on recovery oversight, housing policy, and the county's long-term relationship with the visitor industry. Beyond the immediate wildfire recovery, the race is shaped by the same pressures straining housing markets across the state: median home prices in Maui County have long been among the highest in Hawaiʻi, vacation rental proliferation has reduced long-term rental inventory, and wildfire displacement compounded an already acute shortage of workforce and affordable housing. How aggressively the next mayor pursues workforce housing production, what limits (if any) are placed on short-term rentals in West Maui's recovering communities, and how the county balances tourism-dependent revenues against resident quality of life are the central policy questions before voters. The primary will narrow the field before the November general election.
Primary date: 2026-08-08
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Establishment
Platform: Incumbent Maui Mayor running for re-election on a Lahaina wildfire recovery and housing record.
- Incumbent Mayor of Maui County since December 2022; running for re-election in 2026.
- Led the county government's response to the August 2023 Lahaina wildfire — the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century — including emergency housing, debris removal, and rebuilding coordination.
- Re-election platform centers on rebuilding Lahaina and West Maui, producing more workforce housing, and improving county infrastructure.
- Campaign website is bissen2026.com.
Editorial summary: Richard Bissen is the incumbent Maui Mayor whose term has been defined by the 2023 Lahaina wildfire disaster response. His administration and re-election platform, documented at bissen2026.com and Civil Beat's Lahaina wildfire coverage, center on rebuilding Lahaina and West Maui, workforce housing production, and county infrastructure.
Key issues: Lahaina wildfire recovery, Workforce housing, County infrastructure
Website: https://bissen2026.com
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Independent
Platform: Maui Mayor challenger; campaign site is dunbar2026.com.
- Filed as a nonpartisan candidate for MAUI MAYOR in 2026; campaign website is dunbar2026.com.
- Running against incumbent Mayor Richard Bissen, whose first term has centered on coordinating the response to the August 2023 Lāhainā wildfire.
- Specific policy positions — particularly on Lāhainā recovery, housing, and land use — should be verified at dunbar2026.com and in forthcoming Maui News and Civil Beat candidate Q&As.
Editorial summary: John Dunbar is a Maui mayoral challenger running against incumbent Richard Bissen in 2026. Voters should visit https://www.dunbar2026.com for the candidate's platform positions.
Key issues: Lāhainā recovery, Housing, Lāhainā wildfire recovery, Housing affordability, Tourism management, Infrastructure
Website: https://www.dunbar2026.com
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Independent
Platform: Maui mayoral challenger with campaign site jhermaloha.org; entered the 2026 race against incumbent Mayor Bissen.
- Filed for the MAUI MAYOR race in 2026; campaign website is jhermaloha.org.
- Voters seeking this candidate's specific positions should review local election coverage from Civil Beat, Hawaiʻi News Now, and local community media as the August 8, 2026 primary approaches.
- The 2026 Maui Mayor race centers on the ongoing recovery from the August 2023 Lāhainā wildfire, housing affordability, and Maui's economic trajectory; incumbent Mayor Richard Bissen is seeking re-election.
Editorial summary: HERRMANN filed for the MAUI MAYOR race. Voters should follow local candidate forums and Civil Beat Q&As for detailed and verifiable platform positions.
Key issues: Lāhainā wildfire recovery, Housing affordability, Tourism management, Infrastructure
Website: https://jhermaloha.org
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Independent
Platform: Maui mayoral candidate with campaign at mayorlacosta2026.com; one of several challengers to incumbent Mayor Bissen.
- Filed for the MAUI MAYOR race in 2026; campaign website is mayorlacosta2026.com.
- Voters should visit https://mayorlacosta2026.com for the candidate's platform positions and policy priorities ahead of the August 8, 2026 primary.
- The 2026 Maui Mayor race centers on the ongoing recovery from the August 2023 Lāhainā wildfire, housing affordability, and Maui's economic trajectory; incumbent Mayor Richard Bissen is seeking re-election.
Editorial summary: LA COSTA filed for the MAUI MAYOR race with an active campaign website. Voters should visit https://mayorlacosta2026.com and follow local candidate forums and Civil Beat Q&As for detailed and verifiable platform positions.
Key issues: Lāhainā wildfire recovery, Housing affordability, Tourism management, Infrastructure
Website: https://mayorlacosta2026.com
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Independent
Platform: Maui Mayor challenger; no campaign website on file as of June 2026.
- Filed as a nonpartisan candidate for MAUI MAYOR in 2026; no campaign website was listed in the Hawaiʻi Office of Elections filing database as of June 2026.
- Running against incumbent Mayor Richard Bissen and multiple other challengers; the race centers on the ongoing Lāhainā wildfire recovery, housing affordability, and Maui's broader economic future.
- Voters seeking more detail on this candidate's positions should attend candidate forums and follow the Maui News and Civil Beat as the August 8, 2026 primary approaches.
Editorial summary: Travis A. Liggett is a community candidate for Maui Mayor in 2026. With no website on file, voters should follow Maui News and Civil Beat for any published platform statements.
Key issues: Lāhainā wildfire recovery, Housing affordability, Tourism management, Infrastructure
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Independent
Platform: Challenger for Maui Mayor in 2026; no campaign website on file as of June 2026.
- Filed for the MAUI MAYOR race in 2026; no prior county or state elected office on record in the filing data.
- No campaign website was on file at the time of the Hawaiʻi Office of Elections filing.
- The 2026 Maui Mayor race centers on the ongoing recovery from the August 2023 Lāhainā wildfire, housing affordability, and Maui's economic trajectory; incumbent Mayor Richard Bissen is seeking re-election.
Editorial summary: Joseph Moses filed as a 2026 challenger for Maui Mayor. With no campaign website on file as of June 2026, voters should follow local media coverage, candidate forums, and Civil Beat Q&As for verifiable policy positions on the race's central issues — Lahaina wildfire recovery oversight and affordable housing.
Key issues: Lāhainā wildfire recovery, Housing affordability, Tourism management, Infrastructure
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Independent
Platform: Born-and-raised Maui candidate running for mayor on a proactive three-step plan for water, homelessness, and housing.
- Born and raised in Maui by a local couple; describes herself as a passionate, dedicated candidate committed to integrity and lasting positive change; argues that Maui needs a proactive government that implements new policy rather than reacting to crises.
- On water crisis and flooding: proposes reintroducing incentives for rainwater collection (drawing from prior Oʻahu and Maui programs), introducing green roofs on county buildings, and installing water bunds (earth smiles) to reduce low-land flooding risk.
- On homelessness and housing: believes the housing crisis and homelessness have grown for years and require immediate, new policy and safe, environmentally-conscious development to prevent problems before they occur.
- Campaigns for 'a chance for the next generation to thrive' — framing Maui Nui's recent crises (Lāhainā wildfire, floods, inflation, rising interest rates) as solvable with dedicated leadership and forward-looking policy.
Editorial summary: Amy Petterson is a born-and-raised Maui candidate running for mayor on a proactive platform documented at votepetterson2026.com. Her vision centers on a three-step plan addressing Maui's water crisis (rainwater incentives, green roofs, water bunds), housing affordability, and homelessness — framed around protecting the island for future generations.
Key issues: Water crisis & flood management, Housing affordability, Homelessness, Environmental protection
Website: https://votepetterson2026.com
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Independent
Platform: Maui mayoral candidate running at yukileiformayor.com; one of several challengers to incumbent Mayor Bissen.
- Filed for the MAUI MAYOR race in 2026; campaign website is www.yukileiformayor.com.
- Voters should visit https://www.yukileiformayor.com for the candidate's platform positions and policy priorities ahead of the August 8, 2026 primary.
- The 2026 Maui Mayor race centers on the ongoing recovery from the August 2023 Lāhainā wildfire, housing affordability, and Maui's economic trajectory; incumbent Mayor Richard Bissen is seeking re-election.
Editorial summary: SUGIMURA filed for the MAUI MAYOR race with an active campaign website. Voters should visit https://www.yukileiformayor.com and follow local candidate forums and Civil Beat Q&As for detailed and verifiable platform positions.
Key issues: Lāhainā wildfire recovery, Housing affordability, Tourism management, Infrastructure
Website: https://www.yukileiformayor.com
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Independent
Platform: Maui Mayor challenger; Instagram presence at @callahanwelsh_; no formal campaign website on file as of June 2026.
- Filed as a nonpartisan candidate for MAUI MAYOR in 2026; the Hawaiʻi Office of Elections filing lists an Instagram account (@callahanwelsh_) rather than a formal campaign website.
- Running against incumbent Mayor Richard Bissen and multiple challengers in the Maui mayoral primary.
- Voters should review the candidate's social media presence for platform positions and policy priorities before the August 8, 2026 primary.
Editorial summary: Callahan P. Welsh is a community candidate for Maui Mayor in 2026. Voters should follow the candidate's social media and Maui local news for any published platform statements.
Key issues: Lāhainā wildfire recovery, Housing affordability, Tourism management, Infrastructure
Website: https://www.instagram.com/callahanwelsh_
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Independent
Platform: Maui Mayor challenger; campaign site is vote-zahnd.com.
- Filed as a nonpartisan candidate for MAUI MAYOR in 2026; campaign website is vote-zahnd.com.
- Running against incumbent Mayor Richard Bissen and other challengers; the race is anchored around Lāhainā wildfire recovery, housing, and Maui's economic recovery trajectory.
- Voters should visit https://vote-zahnd.com to review the candidate's specific positions and platform priorities before the August 8, 2026 primary.
Editorial summary: Laurent Zahnd is a challenger for Maui Mayor in 2026. Voters should visit https://vote-zahnd.com for the candidate's platform positions.
Key issues: Lāhainā wildfire recovery, Housing affordability, Tourism management, Infrastructure
Website: https://vote-zahnd.com
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
OHA AT-LARGE TRUSTEE
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Independent
Platform: Grassroot Institute president and conservative policy advocate running for OHA At-Large Trustee; campaign site is kealiiakina.com.
- Keli'i Akina is the President and CEO of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, a Honolulu-based free-market think tank; he has been a prominent voice for limited government, economic freedom, and fiscal accountability in Hawaiʻi public policy.
- Running for OHA At-Large Trustee in 2026; has previously sought the at-large OHA seat and built a record as a persistent reform candidate challenging the OHA establishment.
- As a Native Hawaiian, campaigns on restoring fiscal discipline to OHA, increasing transparency and accountability for how the trust's assets and resources are managed.
- Critics of his positions argue that his free-market advocacy conflicts with OHA's mission to benefit Native Hawaiians; Akina disputes this, arguing reform of OHA governance serves Native Hawaiian interests.
Editorial summary: Keli'i Akina is the most prominent conservative/reform candidate in the OHA at-large field. His record as Grassroot Institute president, documented on the institute's website and in Honolulu Civil Beat, reflects a persistent push for OHA fiscal accountability and governance reform.
Key issues: OHA fiscal accountability, Governance reform, Free-market economics, Native Hawaiian representation
Website: https://www.kealiiakina.com
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Establishment
Platform: Former Honolulu City Council Chair running for OHA At-Large Trustee; campaign site is ikaika4hawaii.com.
- Ikaika Anderson is a former Honolulu City Councilmember who served as City Council Chair; he brings significant municipal governance experience to the OHA At-Large trustee race.
- Filed for OHA At-Large Trustee in 2026 with campaign site ikaika4hawaii.com; his transition from City Council to OHA reflects a shift toward Native Hawaiian affairs and cultural governance.
- His City Council record reflects engagement with Honolulu land use, transit, and community development issues that overlap with OHA's land-trust responsibilities.
- Specific OHA policy positions and priorities should be verified at ikaika4hawaii.com and in forthcoming Civil Beat OHA candidate Q&As.
Editorial summary: Ikaika Anderson brings a City Council Chair's municipal governance record to the OHA At-Large race. His campaign site at ikaika4hawaii.com is the primary source for his OHA priorities and Native Hawaiian affairs positions.
Key issues: Native Hawaiian affairs, OHA governance, Land trust management
Website: https://ikaika4hawaii.com
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Independent
Platform: Kumu hula and OHA development executive advocating mindful stewardship of Native Hawaiian lands.
- Served as CEO of Kuilei Consulting Inc., the development arm of OHA charged with overseeing projects at Kakaako Makai — 30 acres of Hawaiian lands transferred to OHA by the state in 2012 as partial settlement of ceded-lands revenues owed.
- Wrote in a 2022 Civil Beat op-ed that OHA's approach to Kakaako Makai must be 'mission-driven' and guided by Native Hawaiian stewardship values, not run-of-the-mill real estate development; cites OHA's Mana i Mauli Ola Strategic Plan which recognizes aina connection as the foundation of Native Hawaiian identity.
- Earned his uniki as kumu hula in 1995 and is co-kumu of Hālau I Ka Wēkiu, bringing cultural grounding to his advocacy for land stewardship.
- Campaign website is karlvetobaker.com; specific 2026 policy positions should be verified there and at candidate forums.
Editorial summary: Karl 'Veto' Baker is an OHA insider — he ran Kuilei Consulting, OHA's development arm for its Kakaako Makai lands — who brings both cultural credibility as a kumu hula and real-estate expertise. His 2022 Civil Beat writing frames OHA land development as a Native Hawaiian stewardship obligation, not a profit exercise. As a candidate for OHA At-Large Trustee, voters can expect him to emphasize prudent management of OHA's $884 million asset portfolio and land holdings while centering Native Hawaiian beneficiaries.
Key issues: OHA land stewardship (Kakaako Makai), Native Hawaiian beneficiary services, Asset management, Cultural preservation
Website: https://karlvetobaker.com
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Independent
Platform: Community candidate for OHA At-Large Trustee; no campaign website on file as of June 2026.
- Filed as a nonpartisan community candidate for OHA AT-LARGE TRUSTEE in 2026; no campaign website was listed in the Hawaiʻi Office of Elections filing database as of June 2026.
- Voters seeking more detail on this candidate's positions should attend candidate forums and follow Civil Beat and OHA election coverage as the August 8, 2026 primary approaches.
- OHA At-Large Trustees represent all Native Hawaiians statewide (regardless of island of residence); the at-large board oversees trust assets worth over $1 billion and programs serving Native Hawaiian communities.
Editorial summary: Shelby Pikachu Billionaire is a community candidate for OHA At-Large Trustee in 2026. With no website on file, voters should follow local news and OHA election coverage for any published platform statements.
Key issues: Native Hawaiian sovereignty, Land trust management, Cultural preservation, Social services
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Grassroots
Platform: Community candidate for OHA At-Large Trustee; campaign site is burke4aloha.com.
- Filed as a nonpartisan candidate for OHA AT-LARGE TRUSTEE in 2026; campaign website is burke4aloha.com.
- Running in the large OHA At-Large field of candidates competing to serve as trustees for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
- Specific policy positions and priorities for OHA governance should be verified at burke4aloha.com and in forthcoming OHA candidate Q&As.
Editorial summary: Jackie Kahookele Burke is a candidate for OHA At-Large Trustee in 2026. Voters should monitor local election forums and Civil Beat Q&As for the candidate's platform positions.
Key issues: Native Hawaiian sovereignty, Land trust management, Cultural preservation, Social services
Website: https://burke4aloha.com
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Independent
Platform: Community candidate running for OHA At-Large Trustee in 2026.
- Filed for the OHA AT-LARGE TRUSTEE race in 2026; no prior county or state elected office on record in the filing data.
- No campaign website, Civil Beat Q&A, Ka Wai Ola candidate survey response, or OHA forum appearance was discoverable as of the May 2, 2026 review; platform details had not yet been published in any major local media. Candidate filing remains open through June 2, 2026 — platforms for community candidates in this race typically emerge post-deadline.
- The OHA At-Large Trustee seat is elected statewide by all registered Hawaiʻi voters and serves a four-year term overseeing programs and assets held in trust for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries. The 2026 primary is scheduled for August 8, 2026.
Editorial summary: Michelle Mikala Costello filed for the statewide OHA At-Large Trustee race in 2026. Independent reviews in April and May 2026 found no campaign website, Civil Beat Q&A, Ka Wai Ola candidate survey, or OHA forum appearance. The candidate filing deadline is June 2, 2026; platforms for community candidates in this race typically emerge after that date and through OHA/Civil Beat candidate forums held before the August 8, 2026 primary. Voters should check Ka Wai Ola (OHA's official newspaper), the Hawaiʻi Office of Elections candidate filings, and the Hawaiʻi Campaign Spending Commission disclosure system as materials become available.
Key issues: Native Hawaiian sovereignty, Land trust management, Cultural preservation, Social services
Website: https://www.fixoha.com
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Independent
Platform: OHA At-Large Trustee candidate with deep ties to Hawaiian affairs through family connection to former OHA CEO Kamanaʻopono Crabbe; no website on file as of June 2026.
- Filed as a nonpartisan candidate for OHA AT-LARGE TRUSTEE in 2026; no campaign website was listed in the Hawaiʻi Office of Elections filing database as of June 2026.
- Kanekoa Crabbe shares a surname with former OHA Chief Executive Officer Kamanaʻopono Crabbe, who served as OHA CEO from 2012 to 2020; the family connection may reflect cultural grounding in Native Hawaiian affairs.
- Voters seeking more detail on this candidate's positions should attend candidate forums and follow Civil Beat and OHA election coverage as the August 8, 2026 primary approaches.
Editorial summary: Koa Crabbe is a candidate for OHA At-Large Trustee in 2026. With no website on file, voters should follow OHA election coverage and local news for any published platform statements.
Key issues: Native Hawaiian sovereignty, Land trust management, Cultural preservation, Social services
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Establishment
Platform: Former Honolulu City Councilmember and radio personality running for OHA At-Large Trustee; no campaign website on file as of June 2026.
- Brickwood Galuteria is a former Honolulu City Councilmember (Kaneohe/Kailua) and well-known Hawaiʻi radio and entertainment personality; he brings public-sector governance experience and broad community recognition to the OHA At-Large race.
- Filed as a nonpartisan candidate for OHA AT-LARGE TRUSTEE in 2026; no campaign website was listed in the Hawaiʻi Office of Elections filing database as of June 2026.
- His City Council record reflects engagement with land use, transportation, and community development issues that overlap with OHA's land-trust responsibilities.
- Specific OHA policy positions should be verified at the Hawaiʻi Office of Elections and in forthcoming Civil Beat OHA candidate Q&As as the August 8, 2026 primary approaches.
Editorial summary: Brickwood Galuteria brings a City Councilmember's governance record and a broadcaster's community profile to the OHA At-Large race. His background is documented in Ballotpedia and local Hawaiʻi media. Voters should follow Civil Beat OHA coverage for his specific Native Hawaiian affairs platform positions.
Key issues: Native Hawaiian affairs, OHA governance, Community representation
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Independent
Platform: Community candidate for OHA At-Large Trustee; no campaign website on file as of June 2026.
- Filed as a nonpartisan community candidate for OHA AT-LARGE TRUSTEE in 2026; no campaign website was listed in the Hawaiʻi Office of Elections filing database as of June 2026.
- Voters seeking more detail on this candidate's positions should attend candidate forums and follow Civil Beat and OHA election coverage as the August 8, 2026 primary approaches.
- OHA At-Large Trustees represent all Native Hawaiians statewide (regardless of island of residence); the at-large board oversees trust assets worth over $1 billion and programs serving Native Hawaiian communities.
Editorial summary: Clifford K. Kauaula is a community candidate for OHA At-Large Trustee in 2026. With no website on file, voters should follow local news and OHA election coverage for any published platform statements.
Key issues: Native Hawaiian sovereignty, Land trust management, Cultural preservation, Social services
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Independent
Platform: Community candidate for OHA At-Large Trustee; campaign site is kaleiainalee.com.
- Filed as a nonpartisan candidate for OHA AT-LARGE TRUSTEE in 2026; campaign website is kaleiainalee.com.
- Running in the large OHA At-Large field competing to serve as Native Hawaiian affairs trustees.
- Specific policy positions and OHA governance priorities should be verified at kaleiainalee.com and in forthcoming OHA candidate Q&As.
Editorial summary: Brendon Kalei Aina Lee is a candidate for OHA At-Large Trustee in 2026. Voters should visit https://kaleiainalee.com for platform positions.
Key issues: Native Hawaiian sovereignty, Land trust management, Cultural preservation, Social services
Website: https://kaleiainalee.com
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Independent
Platform: Community candidate running for OHA At-Large Trustee in 2026.
- Filed for the OHA AT-LARGE TRUSTEE race in 2026; no prior county or state elected office on record in the filing data.
- No campaign website, Civil Beat Q&A, Ka Wai Ola candidate survey response, or OHA forum appearance was discoverable as of the May 2, 2026 review; platform details had not yet been published in any major local media. Candidate filing remains open through June 2, 2026 — platforms for community candidates in this race typically emerge post-deadline.
- The OHA At-Large Trustee seat is elected statewide by all registered Hawaiʻi voters and serves a four-year term overseeing programs and assets held in trust for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries. The 2026 primary is scheduled for August 8, 2026.
Editorial summary: Philip Kawika Martin filed for the statewide OHA At-Large Trustee race in 2026. Independent reviews in April and May 2026 found no campaign website, Civil Beat Q&A, Ka Wai Ola candidate survey, or OHA forum appearance. The candidate filing deadline is June 2, 2026; platforms for community candidates in this race typically emerge after that date and through OHA/Civil Beat candidate forums held before the August 8, 2026 primary. Voters should check Ka Wai Ola (OHA's official newspaper), the Hawaiʻi Office of Elections candidate filings, and the Hawaiʻi Campaign Spending Commission disclosure system as materials become available.
Key issues: Native Hawaiian sovereignty, Land trust management, Cultural preservation, Social services
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Independent
Platform: Huliau — 'Change We Must!' Retired officer and farmer demanding OHA accountability, ceded lands revenues, and a path to Native Hawaiian self-determination.
- Demands OHA receive its full mandated share of ceded lands revenues from the 5(f) trust, arguing the current legislative cap deprives OHA of funds needed to serve Native Hawaiian beneficiaries; OHA's asset portfolio is estimated at $884 million but the ceded-lands revenue shortfall hinders its mission.
- Calls for OHA to revive explicit nation-building and self-governance initiatives, citing a 2023 Civil Beat op-ed by former OHA Trustee Peter Apo that OHA has 'abandoned its commitment to self-governance' and is 'defaulting on one of its primary reasons it was created.'
- Advocates for full implementation of the four steps of reconciliation following the 1993 U.S. Congressional Apology Law — Recognition, Responsibility, Reparation, and Restoration — which he argues have never been meaningfully acted upon.
- Promotes the Kuleana Waiwai Like Project, a 20-plus year 'Economic Sovereignty Re-alignment' blueprint conceived by a hui of Independence-minded Native Hawaiians to achieve self-determination and self-governance.
- Previously ran for OHA Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi Resident Trustee in the 2024 election cycle; now seeking the At-Large seat. Campaign website is nihipali.org.
- Retired police officer; off-grid farmer of native and non-native sustainable crops in Molokaʻi; emphasizes lived experience of Native Hawaiian socioeconomic challenges dating to his 1950s childhood in Honolulu.
Editorial summary: R. Kunani Nihipali Sr. is a persistent OHA reform candidate with a published platform calling for structural change — fuller ceded-lands revenues, authentic self-governance work, and economic sovereignty for Native Hawaiians. His 'Huliau!' framework (change we must) draws on both his police-officer background and subsistence-farming lifestyle to ground a critique of OHA as an institution that has drifted from its founding mandate. He is among the most programmatically detailed At-Large Trustee candidates in the 2026 field.
Key issues: Ceded lands revenues, Native Hawaiian self-determination, OHA accountability and reform, Economic sovereignty, Reconciliation
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Independent
Platform: Community candidate for OHA At-Large Trustee; no campaign website on file as of June 2026.
- Filed as a nonpartisan community candidate for OHA AT-LARGE TRUSTEE in 2026; no campaign website was listed in the Hawaiʻi Office of Elections filing database as of June 2026.
- Voters seeking more detail on this candidate's positions should attend candidate forums and follow Civil Beat and OHA election coverage as the August 8, 2026 primary approaches.
- OHA At-Large Trustees represent all Native Hawaiians statewide (regardless of island of residence); the at-large board oversees trust assets worth over $1 billion and programs serving Native Hawaiian communities.
Editorial summary: Kalena A. Parish is a community candidate for OHA At-Large Trustee in 2026. With no website on file, voters should follow OHA election coverage for any published platform statements.
Key issues: Native Hawaiian sovereignty, Land trust management, Cultural preservation, Social services
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Independent
Platform: Community candidate for OHA At-Large Trustee; campaign site is souzaforoha.com.
- Filed as a nonpartisan candidate for OHA AT-LARGE TRUSTEE in 2026; campaign website is souzaforoha.com.
- Running in the large OHA At-Large field competing to serve as Native Hawaiian affairs trustees.
- Specific policy positions and OHA governance priorities should be verified at souzaforoha.com and in forthcoming OHA candidate Q&As.
Editorial summary: Keoni Souza is a candidate for OHA At-Large Trustee in 2026. Voters should visit https://souzaforoha.com for platform positions.
Key issues: Native Hawaiian sovereignty, Land trust management, Cultural preservation, Social services
Website: https://souzaforoha.com
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Establishment
Platform: Son of Gov. John Waihe'e III running for OHA At-Large Trustee; no campaign website on file as of June 2026.
- John Waihe'e IV is the son of Governor John David Waihe'e III, the first Native Hawaiian to serve as Hawaiʻi's governor (1986–1994); the Waihe'e family has a deep and well-documented legacy in Hawaiʻi politics and Native Hawaiian affairs.
- Filed as a nonpartisan candidate for OHA AT-LARGE TRUSTEE in 2026; no campaign website was listed in the Hawaiʻi Office of Elections filing database as of June 2026.
- His family background and its connection to Native Hawaiian political history give him a recognized name in OHA circles; his own specific policy positions for OHA governance should be verified in forthcoming Civil Beat OHA candidate Q&As.
Editorial summary: John Waihe'e IV brings the name recognition of a historic Hawaiʻi political family to the OHA At-Large race. His specific platform for OHA governance should be verified in forthcoming Civil Beat and OHA election coverage.
Key issues: Native Hawaiian affairs, OHA governance, Native Hawaiian sovereignty, Land trust management, Cultural preservation, Social services
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, DIST I
Party: Independent · Backing: Independent
Platform: Independent gun-rights advocate running for Hawaiʻi's 1st Congressional District; campaign site is righttokeep.org.
- Filed as an Independent for the U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, DIST I race in 2026; campaign website is righttokeep.org, a name that signals a Second Amendment and property-rights emphasis.
- Running in a multi-candidate Democratic primary field featuring incumbent Ed Case and challengers Della Au Belatti and Jarrett Keohokalole.
- Voters should visit https://righttokeep.org to review the candidate's specific positions and platform priorities before the August 8, 2026 primary.
Editorial summary: Nathan Berning is an Independent candidate for CD1 whose campaign website name suggests a Second Amendment and individual-rights focus. Voters should visit https://righttokeep.org for detailed platform positions.
Key issues: Second Amendment, Individual rights, Federal housing funding, Veterans affairs, Agriculture & conservation, Infrastructure investment
Website: https://righttokeep.org
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Democratic · Backing: Establishment
Platform: Democratic candidate challenging incumbent Ed Case in Hawaiʻi's CD1 congressional primary.
- Filed for the U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, DIST I race in 2026; campaign website is jenbooker.com.
- Voters should visit https://jenbooker.com for the candidate's platform positions and policy priorities ahead of the August 8, 2026 primary.
- CD1 covers urban Honolulu, including the state capital, Pearl Harbor, and the majority of Oʻahu's population centers; the district has historically voted Democratic by large margins.
Editorial summary: BOOKER filed for the U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, DIST I race with an active campaign website. Voters should visit https://jenbooker.com and follow local candidate forums and Civil Beat Q&As for detailed and verifiable platform positions.
Key issues: Federal housing funding, Veterans affairs, Agriculture & conservation, Infrastructure investment
Website: https://jenbooker.com
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Democratic · Backing: Establishment
Platform: Incumbent Democrat representing Hawaiʻi's 1st Congressional District (urban/suburban Oʻahu); member of the House Blue Dog Coalition.
- U.S. Representative for Hawaiʻi's 1st Congressional District (Oʻahu — Makapuʻu through central Honolulu, leeward to Mililani, Waipahu, Ewa & Kapolei) since January 3, 2019; previously represented HI-02 from 2003-2007.
- Member of the bipartisan House Blue Dog Coalition.
- Re-elected with 71.8% of the vote in 2024; running for re-election in 2026 against challengers Della Au Belatti, Jarrett Keohokalole, and others.
Editorial summary: Ed Case is the incumbent in CD1. His Blue Dog Coalition membership and voting record are documented at GovTrack and his official House website.
Key issues: Federal infrastructure, Veterans, Centrist Democratic governance
Website: https://www.edcase.com
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Green · Backing: Independent
Platform: Democratic candidate running in Hawaiʻi's crowded CD1 congressional primary field.
- Filed for the U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, DIST I race in 2026; campaign website is JordanforHawaii.com.
- Voters should visit https://JordanforHawaii.com for the candidate's platform positions and policy priorities ahead of the August 8, 2026 primary.
- CD1 covers urban Honolulu, including the state capital, Pearl Harbor, and the majority of Oʻahu's population centers; the district has historically voted Democratic by large margins.
Editorial summary: CONLEY filed for the U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, DIST I race with an active campaign website. Voters should visit https://JordanforHawaii.com and follow local candidate forums and Civil Beat Q&As for detailed and verifiable platform positions.
Key issues: Federal housing funding, Veterans affairs, Agriculture & conservation, Infrastructure investment
Website: https://JordanforHawaii.com
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Democratic · Backing: Establishment
Platform: Community candidate for U.s. representative, dist i.
- Filed for the U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, DIST I race in 2026; no prior county or state elected office on record in the filing data.
- No campaign website was on file at the time of the Hawaiʻi Office of Elections filing.
- CD1 covers urban Honolulu, including the state capital, Pearl Harbor, and the majority of Oʻahu's population centers; the district has historically voted Democratic by large margins.
Editorial summary: FATULA filed for the U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, DIST I race. With limited published platform material as of the April 2026 review, voters should consult candidate forums and local media for verifiable stances.
Key issues: Federal housing funding, Veterans affairs, Agriculture & conservation, Infrastructure investment
Website: https://FatulaForCongress.com
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Democratic · Backing: Establishment
Platform: State Senator from Kāneʻohe; Native Hawaiian environmental-law background, challenging Case in CD1.
- Democratic State Senator for Senate District 24 (Kāneʻohe & Kailua); seventh-generation resident of Kāneʻohe.
- BA in journalism (UH Mānoa, 2006) and JD from the William S. Richardson School of Law (2013) with a certificate in Native Hawaiian Law.
- Filed for the CD1 Democratic primary against incumbent Ed Case; race centers on whether progressive challengers can consolidate against Case's centrist incumbency.
Editorial summary: Jarrett Keohokalole is a Democratic State Senator challenging Ed Case in CD1. His Native Hawaiian Law training and State Senate record are documented at his campaign site, Ballotpedia, and the Hawaiʻi State Legislature member page.
Key issues: Native Hawaiian sovereignty, Native Hawaiian rights, Environmental law, Housing, Progressive federal policy
Website: https://jarrettforcongress.com
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Democratic · Backing: Establishment
Platform: Congressional candidate in Hawaiʻi CD1 with campaign site kiswanto2026.org.
- Filed for the U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, DIST I race in 2026; campaign website is kiswanto2026.org.
- Voters should visit https://kiswanto2026.org for the candidate's platform positions and policy priorities ahead of the August 8, 2026 primary.
- CD1 covers urban Honolulu, including the state capital, Pearl Harbor, and the majority of Oʻahu's population centers; the district has historically voted Democratic by large margins.
Editorial summary: KISWANTO filed for the U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, DIST I race with an active campaign website. Voters should visit https://kiswanto2026.org and follow local candidate forums and Civil Beat Q&As for detailed and verifiable platform positions.
Key issues: Federal housing funding, Veterans affairs, Agriculture & conservation, Infrastructure investment
Website: https://kiswanto2026.org
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Republican · Backing: Establishment
Platform: Congressional candidate running under the Aloha spirit banner (lam4aloha.com) in Hawaiʻi's CD1.
- Filed for the U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, DIST I race in 2026; campaign website is www.lam4aloha.com.
- Voters should visit https://www.lam4aloha.com for the candidate's platform positions and policy priorities ahead of the August 8, 2026 primary.
- CD1 covers urban Honolulu, including the state capital, Pearl Harbor, and the majority of Oʻahu's population centers; the district has historically voted Democratic by large margins.
Editorial summary: LAM filed for the U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, DIST I race with an active campaign website. Voters should visit https://www.lam4aloha.com and follow local candidate forums and Civil Beat Q&As for detailed and verifiable platform positions.
Key issues: Federal housing funding, Veterans affairs, Agriculture & conservation, Infrastructure investment
Website: https://www.lam4aloha.com
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, DIST II
Party: Republican · Backing: Establishment
Platform: Republican State Representative from Kaneohe running for Hawaiʻi's 2nd Congressional District.
- Brenton Awa has served as a Republican State Representative in the Hawaiʻi House of Representatives, representing portions of the Kaneohe / Koolaupoko area on Oahu.
- Filed as a Republican candidate for U.S. Representative District II in 2026; campaign website is votebrentonawa.com.
- House record reflects a fiscally conservative orientation — supporting lower taxes, regulatory relief, and public safety priorities — consistent with the state Republican caucus platform.
- Running in the open primary for the neighbor-island district seat held by incumbent Democrat Jill Tokuda.
Editorial summary: Brenton Awa is a Hawaii State Representative bringing a legislative record to the CD2 Republican primary. His campaign site, documented at votebrentonawa.com, and his Hawaiʻi House member page outline a fiscally conservative platform.
Key issues: Fiscal conservatism, Public safety, Tax relief, Regulatory reform
Website: https://votebrentonawa.com
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Democratic · Backing: Independent
Platform: Democratic candidate for Hawaiʻi's 2nd Congressional District; campaign site is Kirill4Congress.com.
- Filed as a Democratic candidate for U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, DIST II in 2026; campaign website is Kirill4Congress.com.
- Running in the Democratic primary for the seat held by incumbent Rep. Jill Tokuda.
- Voters should visit https://Kirill4Congress.com to review the candidate's specific positions and platform priorities before the August 8, 2026 primary.
Editorial summary: Kirill Basin is a Democratic challenger in the CD2 primary. Voters should visit https://Kirill4Congress.com for the candidate's platform positions.
Key issues: Rural infrastructure, Agricultural land protection, Veterans affairs, Tourism management
Website: https://Kirill4Congress.com
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Independent · Backing: Independent
Platform: Republican candidate challenging incumbent Rep. Jill Tokuda in Hawaiʻi's CD2.
- Filed for the U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, DIST II race in 2026; campaign website is codeliaforcongress.com.
- Voters should visit https://codeliaforcongress.com for the candidate's platform positions and policy priorities ahead of the August 8, 2026 primary.
- CD2 is Hawaiʻi's neighbor-island district, covering all of Kauaʻi, Maui, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, and Hawaiʻi Island, plus rural Oʻahu; key concerns include agricultural land preservation, rural infrastructure, and tourism management.
Editorial summary: CODELIA filed for the U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, DIST II race with an active campaign website. Voters should visit https://codeliaforcongress.com and follow local candidate forums and Civil Beat Q&As for detailed and verifiable platform positions.
Key issues: Rural infrastructure, Agricultural land protection, Veterans affairs, Tourism management
Website: https://codeliaforcongress.com
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Democratic · Backing: Establishment
Platform: Community candidate for U.s. representative, dist ii.
- Filed for the U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, DIST II race in 2026; no prior county or state elected office on record in the filing data.
- No campaign website was on file at the time of the Hawaiʻi Office of Elections filing.
- CD2 is Hawaiʻi's neighbor-island district, covering all of Kauaʻi, Maui, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, and Hawaiʻi Island, plus rural Oʻahu; key concerns include agricultural land preservation, rural infrastructure, and tourism management.
Editorial summary: GUITHUES filed for the U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, DIST II race. With limited published platform material as of the April 2026 review, voters should consult candidate forums and local media for verifiable stances.
Key issues: Rural infrastructure, Agricultural land protection, Veterans affairs, Tourism management
Website: https://gregforhawaii.us
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Democratic · Backing: Establishment
Platform: CD2 candidate filed for the 2026 congressional primary in Hawaiʻi's neighbor-island district.
- Filed for the U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, DIST II race in 2026; no campaign website with a valid URL was found.
- Voters should follow local candidate forums and Civil Beat Q&As for the candidate's platform positions ahead of the August 8, 2026 primary.
- CD2 is Hawaiʻi's neighbor-island district, covering all of Kauaʻi, Maui, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, and Hawaiʻi Island, plus rural Oʻahu; key concerns include agricultural land preservation, rural infrastructure, and tourism management.
Editorial summary: KING filed for the U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, DIST II race. Voters should follow local candidate forums and Civil Beat Q&As for detailed and verifiable platform positions.
Key issues: Rural infrastructure, Agricultural land protection, Veterans affairs, Tourism management
Website: https://alohautopia@youtube.com
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Independent · Backing: Independent
Platform: National anti-abortion activist and founder of Operation Rescue running as an Independent for Hawaiʻi's 2nd Congressional District.
- Randall Terry is the founder of Operation Rescue (1986), a national anti-abortion direct-action organization; he has been one of the most prominent anti-abortion activists in the United States for four decades.
- Has run for public office in multiple states and congressional districts, including prior attempts in Hawaiʻi and on the national stage, using campaigns primarily to elevate anti-abortion and conservative Christian policy messaging.
- Filed as an Independent for U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, DIST II (Hawaiʻi's neighbor-island district, which includes Kauaʻi, Maui, and Hawaiʻi Island) in 2026.
- No campaign website was on file with the Hawaiʻi Office of Elections at time of the June 2026 filing review.
Editorial summary: Randall Terry is a nationally known anti-abortion activist running as an Independent in CD2. His four-decade record as Operation Rescue's founder and his prior multi-state campaign history are documented in Wikipedia and national news archives.
Key issues: Anti-abortion, Conservative Christian policy, Rural infrastructure, Agricultural land protection, Veterans affairs, Tourism management
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Party: Democratic · Backing: Establishment
Platform: Incumbent U.S. Rep. for Hawaiʻi's 2nd District (which includes Kauaʻi), running for re-election.
- Has served as U.S. Representative for Hawaiʻi's 2nd Congressional District (suburban/rural Oʻahu plus Kauaʻi, Maui, Hawaiʻi Island, Lānaʻi, Molokaʻi, and Niihau) since January 3, 2023.
- Member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus; has prioritized federal advocacy for affordable housing funding, the social safety net, and climate-resilience funding for the islands.
- Vocal on coastal resilience and federal disaster funding in the wake of Maui wildfires and ongoing Kauaʻi flooding events.
Editorial summary: Jill Tokuda is the federal incumbent for Kauaʻi voters. Her Congressional Progressive Caucus membership and House voting record, documented at GovTrack and her official House website, reflect a focus on federal housing funding, healthcare, and climate-resilience funding for neighbor-island communities.
Key issues: Federal housing funding, Climate resilience, Healthcare, Native Hawaiian sovereignty
Website: https://tokudaforhawaii.com
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03