Horse-Trading And Living Costs: State House District 18 Candidate Q&As
Member chosen to replace Gene Ward runs against Democratic challenger.
Incumbent representative Joe Gedeon will face Democratic challenger James Wataru in the Nov. 3 general election. Both are running unopposed in the primary.
Gedeon was chosen to take the place of the late Gene Ward in 2025 for State House District 18, which includes Portlock, Hawaiʻi Kai and Kalama Valley on Oʻahu.
Civil Beat sent both candidates a series of questions about why they are suited for the job, how they would support public schools and how Hawaiʻi’s economy can become less reliant on tourism.
Their answers are linked below and all the survey responses from candidates can be compared all in one spot on Civil Beat’s 2026 Hawaiʻi Primary Ballot.
Hawaiʻi’s 2026 elections are right around the corner and Civil Beat’s elections guide is here to help with essential information, candidate positions, news stories and more.
