The 2026 Primary Election in Hawaii takes place on Saturday, August 8, featuring major congressional, statewide, and local district races across the islands. Ballots must be turned in by 7 p.m. on Saturday, and the first set of results are expected to be released shortly after voting closes, according to election schedules.
Statewide Races and Legislative Contests
Voters across the state will decide contests for key executive and federal offices. Incumbent U.S. Representatives Ed Case (D) in District 1 and Jill Tokuda (D) in District 2 appear on the ballot. Governor Josh Green (D) and Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke (D), both incumbents, are also listed in the primary lineup.
Legislative races span numerous state senate and house districts. Incumbent State Senators on the ballot include Joy San Buenaventura (D) in District 2, Troy Hashimoto (D) in District 5, Ronald Kouchi (D) in District 8, Stanley Chang (D) in District 9, Les S. Ihara Jr. (D) in District 10, Carol Fukunaga (D) in District 11, Karl Rhoads (D) in District 13, Donna Mercado Kim (D) in District 14, Glenn Waikai (D) in District 15, Donoval Dela Cruz (D) in District 17, Kurt Favella (*R) in District 20, Mike Gabbard (D) in District 21, and Chris Lee (D) in District 25. State Senate District 19 is currently listed as vacant.
The state representative contests feature a mix of Democratic and Republican incumbents and candidates. House districts include Matthias Kusch (D) in District 1, Sue Keohokapu-Lee Loy (D) in District 2, Chris Todd (D) in District 3, Greggor Ilagan (D) in District 4, Jeanne Kapela (D) in District 5, Kristin Kahaloa (D) in District 6, Nicole Lowen (D) in District 7, David Tarnas (D) in District 8, Justin Woodson (D) in District 9, Tyson Miyake (D) in District 10, Terez Amato (D) in District 11, and Kyle Yamashita in District 12.
Additional state representative listings feature Mahina Poepoe (D) in District 13, Elle Cochran (*R) in District 14, Nadine Nakamura (D) in District 15, Luke Evslin (D) in District 16, Dee Morikawa (D) in District 17, Joe Gedeon (*R) in District 18, Mark Hashem (D) in District 19, Tina Nakada Grandinetti (D) in District 20, Jackson Sayama (D) in District 21, Andrew Takuya Garrett (D) in District 22, Ikaika Olds (D) in District 23, Adrian Tam (D) in District 24, Kim Coco Iwamoto (D) in District 25, and Della Au Bellati (D) in District 26.
Rounding out the state representative choices are Jenna Takenouchi (D) in District 27, Michael Ratcliffe (D) in District 28, Ikaika Hussey (D) in District 29, Shirley Ann Templo (D) in District 30, Linda Ichiyama (D) in District 31, Garner Shimizu (*R) in District 32, Sam Satoru Kong (D) in District 33, Gregg Takayama (D) in District 34, Cory Chun (D) in District 35, Daisy Hartsfield (D) in District 36, Trish La Chica (D) in District 37, Lauren Matsumoto (*R) in District 38, Elijah Pierick (*R) in District 39, Julie Reyes Oda (*R) in District 40, David Alcos III (*R) in District 41, Diamond Garcia (*R) in District 42, Kanani Souza (*R) in District 43, Darius Kila (D) in District 44, Christopher Muraoka (*R) in District 45, Amy Perruso (D) in District 46, Sean Quinlan (D) in District 47, Lisa Kitagawa (D) in District 48, Scot Matayoshi (D) in District 49, Mike Lee (D) in District 50, and Lisa Marten (D) in District 51.
Big Island, Maui, Kauai, and Honolulu Local Elections
Big Island voters will select councilmembers across nine districts. The candidates include Heather Kimball in District 1, Jenn Kagiwada in District 2, Dennis Onishi in District 3, Ashley Kierkiewicz in District 4, Matt Kanealiʻi-Kleinfelder in District 5, Michelle Galimba in District 6, Rebecca Villegas in District 7, Dr. Holeka Goro Inaba in District 8, and James Hustace in District 9.
Maui features a mayoral race alongside council contests. Richard Bissen holds an incumbent designation in the mayoral contest. Maui County council races cover East Maui candidate Shane Sinenci, West Maui candidate Tamara Paltin, Wailuku-Waiheʻe-Waikapū Council Chair Alice Lee, Kahului candidate Kauanoe Batangan, South Maui candidate Tom Cook, Makawao-Haʻikū-Pāʻia candidate Nohelani Uʻu-Hodgins, Upcountry Maui candidate Yuki Lei Sugimura, Lānaʻi candidate Gabe Johnson, and Molokaʻi candidate Keani Rawlins-Fernandez.
On Kauai, Mayor Derek Kawakami appears with an incumbent designation. The Kauai County Council list includes Council Chair Mel Rapozo, Council Vice Chair KipuKai Kualiʻi, and councilmembers Addison Bulosan, Bernard P. Carvalho Jr., Felicia Cowden, Fern Holland, and Arryl Kaneshiro.
Honolulu local ballots feature four council districts. Voters will choose among Matt Weyer in District 2, Council Chair Tommy Waters in District 4, Tyler Dos Santos-Tam in District 6, and Val Aquino Okimoto in District 8.
Did You Know? The 2026 Hawaii primary election requires all voters to turn in their ballots by 7 p.m. on Saturday, August 8, with the first set of results scheduled for release shortly after polls close.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the 2026 Primary Election take place in Hawaii?
The primary election takes place on Saturday, August 8, 2026.
By what time must ballots be turned in?
Ballots must be turned in by 7 p.m. on Saturday.
When will election results be released?
The first set of results is expected to be released shortly after voting closes on Saturday evening.
How will you be tracking the 2026 primary results as they come in across the islands?
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