Hawaii County Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026
21 candidates are on the November 3, 2026 ballot across 12 Hawaii County races, led by the Hawaii County Council District 4 contest; 6 more races were decided at the primary.
County offices
Council District 4Nonpartisan race · Eileen Ohara · Lloyd Enriquez
Eileen Ohara and Lloyd Enriquez are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Hawaii County Council District 4.
Eileen Ohara
Top priorities
- Act on Highway 130 traffic and an alternate route
- Full recovery for Puna eight years after the 2018 Kilauea eruption
- Tap grant funding for infrastructure
Per the Big Island Now.
About Eileen Ohara
Eileen Ohara is a former one-term Hawaii County councilmember (elected 2016) and head of the nonprofit Malama O Puna, with a career spanning legislative work, nonprofit grant writing and public policy teaching, per Big Island Now's candidate profile.
Lloyd Enriquez
Top priorities
- Property tax reform: reduce taxes for local people and raise them for nonresidents
- Infrastructure and first-responder access
- Traffic and sustainability for lower Puna
Per the Big Island Now.
About Lloyd Enriquez
Lloyd Enriquez is a retired school safety officer of 33 years, raised in Pahoa, who serves on the Hawaii County Police Commission, per Big Island Now's candidate profile.
Eileen Ohara (1,588 votes) and Lloyd Enriquez (1,149) advance to the November 3, 2026 general election, per the Hawaii Office of Elections' official August 8 primary results. Open seat: incumbent Ashley Kierkiewicz is termed out.
Full race pageCouncil District 5Nonpartisan race · Shannon Matson · Ikaika Rodenhurst
Shannon Matson and Ikaika Rodenhurst are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Hawaii County Council District 5.
Shannon Matson
Top priorities
- Reduce regressive taxes on low and middle-income households
- Short-term traffic relief on Highways 11 and 130
- Community-driven policymaking
Per the Big Island Now.
About Shannon Matson
Matson is a business owner and community leader who has been active in the Hilo and Puna areas for more than 15 years, per the campaign site. A University of Hawaii at Hilo graduate born in Honokaa and raised on Hawaii Island, Matson is running for Hawaii County Council District 5, per the campaign site.
Ikaika Rodenhurst
Top priorities
- Road and infrastructure improvements for Highway 11 traffic
- Recreation opportunities for keiki and kupuna in Upper Puna
- Addressing the high cost of living
Per the Big Island Now.
About Ikaika Rodenhurst
Civil engineer and construction consultant on county and state highway projects who led the county Department of Public Works for two years starting in 2020, after working with the DOT during the 2018 Kilauea eruption; coaches football at Keaau High School, per Big Island Now and Civil Beat.
Shannon Matson (981 votes) and Ikaika Rodenhurst (951) advance to the November 3, 2026 general election, per the Hawaii Office of Elections' official August 8 primary results. Open seat: incumbent Matt Kanealii-Kleinfelder is termed out; the county clerk confirmed the close second-third margin did not trigger a recount.
Full race pageCouncil District 6Nonpartisan race · Guy Enriques · Zed Kaapana Aki
Guy Enriques and Zed Kaapana Aki are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Hawaii County Council District 6.
Guy Enriques
Top priorities
- Protect Punaluu, including county purchase of the black sand beach land
- A full-service police station for Ocean View
- Deliver visible results via a public project list built from residents' input
Per the Big Island Now.
About Guy Enriques
Enriques is a volleyball coach and camp owner who previously served as a Hawaii County lifeguard and completed one term on the Hawaii County Council, per the campaign site. A lifelong resident of Punaluu whose family has run a lei stand there since the 1950s, Enriques attended Kaʻū High School and played basketball at the University of Hawaii at Hilo on an athletic scholarship, per the campaign site.
Zed Kaapana Aki
Top priorities
- Pursue funding for a medical training hub to bring health care workers to Kau
- A police substation for Ocean View
- Preserve the district's country character with low-impact development
Per the Big Island Now.
About Zed Kaapana Aki
Aki holds a law degree and has community advocacy experience in social justice and economic opportunity issues in the Kaʻū and South Kona region, per the campaign site.
Guy Enriques (1,362 votes) and Zed Kaapana Aki (1,023) advance to the November 3, 2026 general election, per the Hawaii Office of Elections' official August 8 primary results. Open seat: incumbent Michelle Galimba did not seek re-election.
Full race pageBy address
These seats are elected by district; only the district covering your address is on your ballot.
Hawaii County is split across 8 House districts.
Find your districts by addressHouse: 8 districtsDistricts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
House District 1Matthias Kusch (D)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Matthias Kusch
Top priorities
- Expand affordable housing programs, including rent-to-own extensions and first-time homebuyer tax deductions
- Support education initiatives for the district
- Support healthcare access for elderly residents, including the State Rent Supplement Program for Kupuna
Per the campaign site.
About Matthias Kusch
Matthias Kusch is the Democratic candidate for Hawaii House District 1 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Hawaii Office of Elections' August 8, 2026 primary results. Matthias Kusch is the sitting member for the district, per the Legislature's official members directory (capitol.hawaii.gov). Kusch is a retired Hawaii Fire Department battalion chief and farmer who assumed office in 2024 following the death of Rep. Mark Nakashima, per Campaign website (votekusch.com) / Office of the Governor.
Matthias Kusch (Democratic) is on the November 3 ballot for Hawaii House District 1; Matthias Kusch is the sitting member, per the Legislature's official members directory (capitol.hawaii.gov). Every candidate ran in the August 8 primary; the top finisher of each party advanced, per the Office of Elections' final primary results.
Full race pageHouse District 2Sue Keohokapu Lee Loy (D) · Jonathan Kennealy (R)
Sue Keohokapu Lee Loy
Top priorities
- Names the shortage of affordable housing paired with a high cost of living the district's biggest challenge
- Emphasizes tax policy changes to help working families, kupuna and children
- Advocates expanding local food production and resilience hubs to strengthen food security and climate readiness
Per the a Honolulu Civil Beat candidate Q&A.
About Sue Keohokapu Lee Loy
Sue Keohokapu Lee Loy is the Democratic candidate for Hawaii House District 2 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Hawaii Office of Elections' August 8, 2026 primary results. Sue Keohokapu Lee Loy is the sitting member for the district, per the Legislature's official members directory (capitol.hawaii.gov). No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Office of Elections' primary results are the only verifiable source for Sue Keohokapu Lee Loy.
Jonathan Kennealy
Top priorities
- Calls the pressure of daily economic life, including housing, utilities and food costs, the district's biggest challenge, and wants to remove wasteful spending and lower taxes.
- Wants to listen to educators and families to rebuild the school system, focusing on teacher support and classroom resources.
- Supports expanding self-sustaining industries like agriculture, local manufacturing and energy production to reduce tourism dependence.
Per the campaign site.
About Jonathan Kennealy
Jonathan Kennealy is a candidate for Hawaii House District 2, per his campaign site. He describes years of community involvement, including working alongside neighbors and supporting local initiatives, per his campaign site.
Sue Keohokapu Lee Loy (Democratic), Jonathan Kennealy (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Hawaii House District 2; Sue Keohokapu Lee Loy is the sitting member, per the Legislature's official members directory (capitol.hawaii.gov). Every candidate ran in the August 8 primary; the top finisher of each party advanced, per the Office of Elections' final primary results.
Full race pageHouse District 3Christopher L.T. Todd (D) · Austin Martin (Libertarian)
Christopher L.T. Todd
Christopher L.T. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Office of Elections' primary results are the only verifiable source for Christopher L.T. Todd.
Austin Martin
Austin Martin is a homesteader, musician and consultant running as the Libertarian candidate for Hawaii House District 3, per a Honolulu Star-Advertiser candidate profile. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Office of Elections' primary results are the only verifiable source for Austin Martin.
Christopher L.T. Todd (Democratic), Austin Martin (Libertarian) are on the November 3 ballot for Hawaii House District 3; Christopher L.T. Todd is the sitting member, per the Legislature's official members directory (capitol.hawaii.gov). Every candidate ran in the August 8 primary; the top finisher of each party advanced, per the Office of Elections' final primary results.
Full race pageHouse District 4Greggor Ilagan (D) · Zak Wittenhagen (R)
Greggor Ilagan
Greggor Ilagan is the incumbent Hawaii House District 4 representative for Puna Makai and Vice Speaker of the House, a former Hawaii County Council member and Air National Guard veteran, per Future Caucus and the University of Hawaii. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Office of Elections' primary results are the only verifiable source for Greggor Ilagan.
Zak Wittenhagen
Zak Wittenhagen is a community advocate running as the Republican candidate for Hawaii House District 4, per a Honolulu Star-Advertiser candidate profile. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Office of Elections' primary results are the only verifiable source for Zak Wittenhagen.
Greggor Ilagan (Democratic), Zak Wittenhagen (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Hawaii House District 4; Greggor Ilagan is the sitting member, per the Legislature's official members directory (capitol.hawaii.gov). Every candidate ran in the August 8 primary; the top finisher of each party advanced, per the Office of Elections' final primary results.
Full race pageHouse District 5Jeanne Kapela (D) · Dalene McCormick (R)
Jeanne Kapela
Top priorities
- Calls water and basic infrastructure foundational, saying housing, healthcare and education cannot be solved without it.
- Opposes shipping monopolies and wants stronger food security and a more diversified economy.
- As co-convener of the Working Families Caucus, supports paid family leave, universal childcare and eliminating the excise tax on groceries.
Per the campaign site.
About Jeanne Kapela
Jeanné Kapela is the State Representative for Hawaii House District 5, first elected in 2020 as the first woman, first Native Hawaiian, and first person born and raised in the district to hold the seat, per her campaign site. She chairs the House Committee on Culture and Arts and founded the Hawaiʻi Working Families Caucus, per her campaign site. Before her legislative career she led an organization supporting survivors of sex trafficking and trained as a dancer with the Boston Ballet, American Ballet Theatre and San Francisco Ballet, per her campaign site.
Dalene McCormick
Top priorities
- Wants to prioritize asking constituents about their concerns and to bring more transparency to the state Capitol
- Points to agriculture, road conditions, volcano activity and earthquake preparedness as key infrastructure needs in the district
- Seeks tax relief for residents and wants to examine the effectiveness of government spending on affordability programs
Per the a Honolulu Civil Beat candidate Q&A.
About Dalene McCormick
Dalene McCormick is the Republican candidate for Hawaii House District 5 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Hawaii Office of Elections' August 8, 2026 primary results. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Office of Elections' primary results are the only verifiable source for Dalene McCormick.
Jeanne Kapela (Democratic), Dalene McCormick (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Hawaii House District 5; Jeanne Kapela is the sitting member, per the Legislature's official members directory (capitol.hawaii.gov). Every candidate ran in the August 8 primary; the top finisher of each party advanced, per the Office of Elections' final primary results.
Full race pageHouse District 6Kirstin Kahaloa (D)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Kirstin Kahaloa
Kirstin Kahaloa is the incumbent Hawaii House District 6 representative for the Kona area and House Majority Caucus Leader, per the Legislature's leadership directory. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Office of Elections' primary results are the only verifiable source for Kirstin Kahaloa.
Kirstin Kahaloa (Democratic) is on the November 3 ballot for Hawaii House District 6; Kirstin Kahaloa is the sitting member, per the Legislature's official members directory (capitol.hawaii.gov). Every candidate ran in the August 8 primary; the top finisher of each party advanced, per the Office of Elections' final primary results.
Full race pageHouse District 7Nicole Lowen (D)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Nicole Lowen
Top priorities
- Affordable housing funding in West Hawaii
- Expanding healthcare access in West Hawaii
- State climate and energy policy
Per the campaign site.
About Nicole Lowen
Nicole Lowen is the State Representative for Hawaii House District 7, serving since 2012 and chairing the House Committee on Energy and Environment, per her campaign site. Before her legislative career she worked as a teacher and later as a policy and legislative researcher at the University of Hawaii and the state legislature, per her campaign site. She has lived in Kailua-Kona for three decades, per her campaign site.
Nicole Lowen (Democratic) is on the November 3 ballot for Hawaii House District 7; Nicole Lowen is the sitting member, per the Legislature's official members directory (capitol.hawaii.gov). Every candidate ran in the August 8 primary; the top finisher of each party advanced, per the Office of Elections' final primary results.
Full race pageHouse District 8David A. Tarnas (D) · Monique Perreira (R)
David A. Tarnas
David A. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Office of Elections' primary results are the only verifiable source for David A. Tarnas.
Monique Perreira
Top priorities
- Names the cost of living her primary concern and supports removing or reducing the general excise tax on food, hygiene products and medical services
- Wants to build more housing that local families can afford
- Calls for more government accountability
Per the a Honolulu Civil Beat candidate Q&A.
About Monique Perreira
Monique Perreira is the Republican candidate for Hawaii House District 8 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Hawaii Office of Elections' August 8, 2026 primary results. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Office of Elections' primary results are the only verifiable source for Monique Perreira.
David A. Tarnas (Democratic), Monique Perreira (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Hawaii House District 8; David A. Tarnas is the sitting member, per the Legislature's official members directory (capitol.hawaii.gov). Every candidate ran in the August 8 primary; the top finisher of each party advanced, per the Office of Elections' final primary results.
Full race pageSenate District 2Joy San Buenaventura (D) · Frederick F. Fogel (Libertarian)
Joy San Buenaventura
Top priorities
- Advocate for improvements to Highway 130 and alternative Puna routes
- Support Hilo and Ka'u hospital expansion and telemedicine services
- Support economic diversification beyond tourism
Per the campaign site.
About Joy San Buenaventura
Joy San Buenaventura is the sitting Hawaii State Senator for District 2 (Puna), seeking reelection, per the Legislature's roster and her campaign site. She has practiced law in Hilo for 30 years and holds a Juris Doctor from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, per her campaign site.
Frederick F. Fogel
Top priorities
- Favors less government involvement in businesses and people's lives
- Supports requiring a realistic price tag on proposed legislation
- Opposes putting the cost of climate adaptation on taxpayers
Per the a Honolulu Civil Beat candidate Q&A.
About Frederick F. Fogel
Frederick F. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Office of Elections' primary results are the only verifiable source for Frederick F. Fogel.
Joy San Buenaventura (Democratic), Frederick F. Fogel (Libertarian) are on the November 3 ballot for Hawaii Senate District 2; Joy San Buenaventura is the sitting member, per the Legislature's official members directory (capitol.hawaii.gov). Every candidate ran in the August 8 primary; the top finisher of each party advanced, per the Office of Elections' final primary results.
Full race pageAlready decided at the primary
Already decided at the primary6 seats settled at the 2026 primary; not on the November 3 ballot
These seats were settled at the 2026 primary and will not appear on the November 3 ballot. Full fields and profiles stay on each race page.
Council District 1: Heather Kimball won the seat.
Decided at the August 8, 2026 primary under the county charter's outright-majority rule, per the Hawaii Office of Elections' official results: Heather Kimball won outright (2,680 votes, 59.9% of candidate votes) and this race will not appear on the November 3 ballot, per Civil Beat and Big Island Now.
Council District 2: Jennifer Kagiwada won the seat.
Decided at the August 8, 2026 primary under the county charter's outright-majority rule, per the Hawaii Office of Elections' official results: Jennifer Kagiwada won outright (2,975 votes, 50.6%) and this race will not appear on the November 3 ballot, per Civil Beat and Big Island Now.
Council District 3: Dennis Onishi won the seat.
Decided at the August 8, 2026 primary under the county charter's outright-majority rule, per the Hawaii Office of Elections' official results: Dennis Onishi won outright (3,427 votes, 63.5%) and this race will not appear on the November 3 ballot, per Civil Beat and Big Island Now.
Council District 7: Manu Powers won the seat.
Decided at the August 8, 2026 primary under the county charter's outright-majority rule, per the Hawaii Office of Elections' official results: Manu Powers won the open North Kona seat outright (2,659 votes); this race will not appear on the November 3 ballot, per Civil Beat and Big Island Now.
Council District 8: Holeka Goro Inaba won the seat.
Decided at the August 8, 2026 primary under the county charter's outright-majority rule, per the Hawaii Office of Elections' official results: Holeka Goro Inaba won outright (2,656 votes, unopposed) and this race will not appear on the November 3 ballot, per Civil Beat and Big Island Now.
Council District 9: James Hustace won the seat.
Decided at the August 8, 2026 primary under the county charter's outright-majority rule, per the Hawaii Office of Elections' official results: James Hustace won outright (3,755 votes, unopposed) and this race will not appear on the November 3 ballot, per Civil Beat and Big Island Now.
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Cross-check every race and candidate with the official election office. Official sources are the final word.
Who is on the ballot in Hawaii County, Hawaii on November 3, 2026?
Hawaii County sample ballot 2026: see where the Hawaii senate, Hawaii house and council candidates stand on roads, housing and health care. Every candidate profile on this page names the official filing or campaign source it came from.
When is the 2026 general election in Hawaii?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Hawaii are listed on the Hawaii election hub. Hawaii election hub →
Which Hawaii County races were already decided at the primary?
6 races were settled at the 2026 primary and will not appear on the November 3 ballot. The results and full candidate fields stay on each race page in the section above.
How do I see my exact Hawaii County ballot?
Enter your ZIP code in the lookup for the statewide and congressional races on every ballot in the county, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location. Look up your ballot →
Sample ballot by ZIP code in Hawaii County28 ZIP codes
Candidate roster last updated Sep 27, 2026 from official election sources.