Hawaii County Primary Election Guide
Your one-stop guide for primary election races in the County of Hawaiʻi, with associated research and media links.
This compilation gives a voter the ability to access the current campaign and media available to evaluate and compare State Legislature and County level primary races for key criteria and “change potential.”
When pictures are included, they are intended to draw attention to strong challenges or candidates. These are not endorsements, but reflect candidates that could have an impact in these races, offices and Hawaii’s future.
Criteria is based on the premises articulated in the main article “Primarily Voting For Change”;
1. New Candidate (or relatively new. Challenging incumbent and/or stepping up to higher office)
2. Female (to address the gender inequity in offices)
3. Young (to address the age representation inequity in offices)
4. Grassroots (community based, public interest, not corporate-funded)
[Related: Primarily Voting For Change]
The intent in promoting change is to enhance the democratic process and expose voters to options that make primary candidate evaluation easier, versus a default to name recognition or incumbent advantage. See all the candidate specific links (orange) under each candidate and published non-campaign media and videos below in each race area and/or at the bottom of the guide.
We encourage readers to look at the basic criteria, as well as both/all of the candidates platforms and positions. Evaluate based on substantive criteria, research, community engagement and nature of campaign donors. Decisions for support, donation, advocacy and voting are up to you!
Engage mail in, early and election day voting and also encourage your ohana, organizations and communities. Make the Primary little ‘d’ democracy in the islands strong— It is where we have the widest and most diverse choices. So… People to the primary polls!
Jump to: Maui County Primary Election Guide, Oahu County Primary Election Guide, Kauai County Primary Election Guide
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State Senate District 1
Democratic Incumbent, No Challenge-
Kaialii Kahele
(808) 959-6579
[email protected]
www.senatorkahele.com
Facebook
Candidate Q&A
State Senate District 2- No Election
State Senate District 3
Democratic Candidate, With Opponent
Brenda Ford
(808) 323-2323
[email protected]
www.votebrendaford.com
Facebook
Candidate Q&A
Democratic Candidate, With Opponent
Dru Kanuha
(808) 989-0802
[email protected]
www.drukanuha.com
Facebook
Decision 2018: Senate District 3 Forum (video 60.00 mins)
Show ID: 4381 Features: Brenda Ford, Dru Kanuha
Candidates for state Senate District 3 offer views at community forum
State Senate District 4
Democratic Challenger
Heather Kimball
(808) 333-1535
[email protected]
www.hkimball.com
Facebook
Democratic Incumbent
Lorraine Inouye
(808) 430-4230
[email protected]
www.lorraineinouye.com
Facebook
Decision 2018: State Legislature Candidates
Show ID: 4382 Features: Heather Kimball @ Intro, 10.40. 39:30, 53.10 mins
Inouye, Kimball face off for state seat
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House of Reps. District 1 (Primary winner elected outright)
Democratic Challenger
Koohan Paik-Mander
(808) 775-7758
[email protected]
Facebook
Democratic Incumbent
Mark Nakashima
(808) 775-9170
[email protected]
www.marknakashima.org
Facebook
House of Reps. District 2
Democratic Challenger
Terri Napeahi
(808) 315-9996
[email protected]
www.votenapeahi.com
Facebook
Democratic Incumbent (from appointment)
Chris Todd
(808) 825-8636
[email protected]
www.toddforhawaii.com
Facebook
House of Reps. District 3
Democratic Challenger
Raina Whiting
(808) 464-0799
[email protected]
www.voteraina.com
Facebook
Candidate Q&A
Democratic Incumbent
Richard Onishi
(808) 959-5702
[email protected]
www.friendsforrichardonishi.com
Facebook
Teacher challenges Onishi for state House seat
House of Reps. District 4
Democratic Candidate, No Opponent
Joy San Buenaventura
(808) 935-6094
[email protected]
www.joy4puna.com
Facebook
House of Reps. District 5
Democratic Incumbent, With Opponent
Richard Creagan
(808) 929-7606
[email protected]
Facebook
Democratic Candidate, With Opponent-
Jeanne Kapela
(808) 854-1148
[email protected]
www.jeannekapela.com
Facebook
House of Reps. District 6
Democratic Incumbent, No Challenge
Nicole Lowen
(808) 937-8196
[email protected]
www.nicolelowen.com
Facebook
House of Reps. District 7
Democratic Incumbent
Cynthia Evans
(808) 345-5810
[email protected]
Facebook
Democratic Challenger
David Tarnas
(808) 987-5810
[email protected]
www.votetarnas.com
Facebook
Candidate Q&A
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Hawaii County Council (Non-Partisan)
District 1
Valerie Poindexter, Incumbent
(808) 962-6048
[email protected]
www.valeriepoindexter.org
Facebook
Abraham Sadegh
(808) 345-4471
[email protected]
District 2
Aaron Chung, Incumbent
(808) 937-4772
[email protected]
Facebook
William Halversen
(808) 238-2250
[email protected]
Decision 2018: County Council Districts 2 & 5 Forum (video 30.00 mins)
Show ID: 4376 Featuring: Aaron Chung- D2, Frederic Wirick- D5
District 3
Incumbent, No Challenge
Susan Lee Loy
(808) 895-9545
[email protected]
www.voteleeloy.com
Facebook
District 4
Eileen O’Hara, Incumbent
(808) 896-1902
[email protected]
www.ohara4puna.com
Candidate Q&A
Ashley Kierkiewicz
(808) 989-4004
[email protected]
www.ashley4puna.com
Facebook
Candidate Q&A
Decision 2018: County Council Districts 4 Forum (video 30.00 mins)
Show ID: 4375 Featuring: Eileen O’Hara, Ashley Kierkiewicz
Lava a hot topic for Puna council candidates
District 5
Matthew Kanealii-Kleinfelder
(808) 756-3933
[email protected]
Facebook
Candidate Q&A
Frederic Wirick
(808) 557-7620
[email protected]
www.wirickccd5.com
Facebook
Candidate Q&A
Decision 2018: County Council Districts 2 & 5 Forum (video 30.00 mins)
Show ID: 4376 Featuring: Aaron Chung- D2, Frederic Wirick- D5
Lava a hot topic for Puna council candidates
District 6
Maile David, Incumbent
(808) 987-6167
[email protected]
www.mailedavid.com
Candidate Q&A
Richard Abbett
(808) 333-6241
[email protected]
Facebook
Yumi Kawano
(808) 443-9202
[email protected]
Facebook
District 7
Rebecca Shute-Villegas
(808) 960-2805
[email protected]
Facebook
Kelly Drysdale
(808) 896-0777
[email protected]
Facebook
Candidate Q&A
Bronsten Kossow
(808) 217-7285
[email protected]
www.bronstenkossow.com
Facebook
Cynthia Nazara
(808) 756-0105
[email protected]
Facebook
Decision 2018: County Council Districts 7 Forum (video 30.00 mins)
Show ID: 4377 Featuring: Rebecca Shute-Villegas, Bronsten Kossow, Kelly Drysdale
District 7 hopefuls address issues at West Hawaii forum
District 8
Incumbent, No Challenge
Karen Eoff
(808) 938-3580
[email protected]
www.kareneoff.com
Facebook
Candidate Q&A
District 9
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Margaret (Maya) Parish
(808) 747-3277
[email protected]
www.mayaparish.org
Facebook
Candidate Q&A
Herbert (Tim) Richards III, Incumbent
(434) 466-1637
[email protected]
Decision 2018: County Council Districts 9 Forum (video 30.00 mins)
Show ID: 4378 Featuring: Maya Parish, Tim Richards III
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Hawaii Island Election & Media Links:
Early Voting- Mail & Walk In
Early walk-in dates are as follows: Primary Election: Monday, July 30 - Thursday, August 9
HAWAI’I ELECTIONS 2018: Where Do I Vote?
HAWAI‘I ELECTIONS 2018: Who’s Running for What?
Campaign Spending Reports
Search by Name or Office; Click name, click ‘View Report’ for 7.31.17 and 1.30.18 ‘Schedule A- Contributions Received’
Decision 2018: State Legislature Candidates (video 60.00 mins)
Show ID: 4382- Features: Raina Whiting, Jeanne Kapela, Chris Todd, Heather Kimball
Honoka’a Forum Features Senate D4, House D1 Races (video)
2 Of These 4 Candidates Will Represent Puna On County Council (video)
State House District 1: Incumbent to face first-time candidate
Big Island: Volcano Politics Play Out In Lava-Swamped Council District
Big Island: Incumbent’s Surprise Withdrawal Opens Up Council Race
Incumbent County Council members raising more dough than challengers
Challengers in two Big Island legislative races are outraising incumbents
Candidates Say ‘Pay To Play’ Is Unfair For Newspaper Voter’s Guide
Absentee applications being sent to lava victims
Polling place to open in Pahoa on election day
Candidates report contributions as election season kicks into gear
The campaign money game: Two legislative challengers out-raise incumbents
Election 2018: Challengers seek incumbent face-time
Candidate list set: Election already won for 4 candidates