Tiana Wilbur hopes to pick up from where she left off in the last election.

After winning the Republican primary in 2022, Wilbur squared off against incumbent Rep. Cedric Gates in the general election to represent House District 45, which includes Waianae and Makaha. Wilbur lost by roughly 10 percentage points, or about 500 votes.

It’s an open seat this time, because Gates is running for the state Senate. Wilbur’s primary opponent is local businessman Chris Muraoka. Whoever wins the GOP nomination will face the winner of a four-person race in the Democratic primary.

All six candidates are expected at a Civil Beat candidates forum Monday from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Waianae High School.

“You can win as a Republican in that district, but it does involve making sure enough Republican voters turn out,” said University of Hawaii political scientist Colin Moore.

Waianae has historically turned out more Republican voters than other districts in the state. And there is a statewide trend of more Republican candidates running for office this year. The GOP has 58 candidates on primary ballots this year compared to 50 in 2020.

“Something I’ve been praying on is that more of our community members participate this year,” Wilbur said.

Here’s a look at the two Republican candidates. 

Tiana Wilbur

Wilbur stepped into politics after her son was denied access to school for not wearing a face mask in January 2022.

What the state saw as a necessary mandate to slow the spread of Covid-19, Wilbur saw as an egregious example of government overreach. 

“My son’s education being denied was a turning point,” she said.

The next day, she drove an hour to meet with her district representative at the State Capitol. But when Wilbur discovered Gates was out of the office, she shared her concerns with Republican Rep. Gene Ward.

Upon hearing her story, Ward asked if she’d ever considered running for office, she said.

Wilbur talked over the question with her parents that night. They encouraged her to start in politics by joining the Waianae Neighborhood Board — she became its vice-chair in August 2022, the same month she won the GOP nomination for the House.

After her loss in the general election, she spent time working for Ward at the Capitol, where she learned about the legislative process and ways to encourage civic participation in her district.

“That was eye-opening to see what goes on inside the Capitol,” she said. “We’re left in the dark a lot of the time in Waianae, there’s just no connection to the Legislature.”

She began adding discussion of legislation to the neighborhood board agenda so that her community members could participate in decisions being made at the Capitol. 

If elected, Wilbur hopes to tackle public safety and a local economy where she said too many people are living on the edge.

“Everybody is literally one paycheck away from going and living on the beach,” she said. 

Chris Muraoka

Muraoka is campaigning on the promise to govern with commonsense politics.

He said Waianae has serious issues relating to homelessness, violent crime and education. If elected, Muraoka says he will address the problems with solid decision-making skills, but he did not elaborate.

“I’m a very black and white person,” he said. “I don’t play games. I’m not a politician. I’m just a very straightforward person that uses a lot of common sense in everyday situations.”

Muraoka is the owner of small business in Waianae, SureCan.

“The name is a reflection of my attitude,” he said. 

SureCan contracts workers for jobs on Oahu. He said the business employs landscapers, janitors, truck drivers, mechanics and others. About 36 of SureCan’s 44 employees live in Waianae, he said. 

Spreading wealth around his community is important to him, he said.

Muraoka said he stands apart in the race because of his name recognition and competitive nature. 

“Losing is not an option,” he said.

Read Chris Muraoka’s Civil Beat Candidate Q&A here.