Hawaiʻi was not part of the sweeping Democratic trend in the 2026 midterms. Really, the state bucked the trend. If, as many have said, the 2026 election nationally was a “tsunami” and a “hundred-year flood,” then by comparison Hawaiʻi’s was a combination of the regularity of mauka showers and the listlessness of summer Kona winds. […]
Elections 2026
Posted inElections 2026
Voters Bring On New Faces To Tackle Old Issues In Neighbor Island Councils
It’s a seminal moment for the local lawmaking bodies on the neighbor islands as 11 newly elected leaders across three counties prepare to join the ranks for at least the next two years. The councils on Maui, Kauaʻi and the Big Island have distinct goals, practices and procedures, but they’re all facing similar challenges. Voters […]
Posted inHawaiʻi Legislature
‘Blue Tsunami’ Missed Hawaiʻi’s Capitol, But Dems Nabbed 3 Seats
No, it was not a “blue tsunami” that rolled over Hawaiʻi’s Legislature in Tuesday’s election. Yes, Democrats picked up three seats in the House, going from 41 to 44. But the state Senate remains unchanged with Democrats holding 22 out of 25 seats, and the House pickups cannot easily be attributed to the success Democrats […]
Posted inElections 2026
More Money, New Problems? What’s Next For Hawaiʻi In A Blue Congress
Sen. Brian Schatz is likely to take the No. 2 spot in the Senate as Democrats pick up seats. Is trouble with the Trump administration on the horizon?
Posted inElections 2026
Hawaiʻi Green Party Candidate Makes History, Edges Democrat
Pāʻele Kiakona appears to have defeated Sne Patel for the House District 14 seat that includes Lahaina.
Posted inNative Hawaiians
UPDATE: Most OHA Incumbents Ahead But Longtime Trustee Losing His Seat
John Waiheʻe IV fell to fourth place this morning in a race for three at-large seats on the board.
Posted inElections 2026
Democrats Gain In Hawaiʻi Legislature As GOP’s Bad Night Worsens
Sne Patel slightly ahead of Green candidate Pāʻele Kiakona in West Maui — one of the most-watched House races of the year.
Posted inElections 2026
Big Island Election Results: 3 New Council Members Win Open Seats
The nine-member council will also see a mix of incumbents and former members rejoining the legislative body.
Posted inKauaʻi
Kauaʻi Election Results: Rapozo Tops Carvalho For Mayor
Voters choose final seven candidates for County Council, approve charter amendment.