Hawaii County, Hawaii

Hawaii County Council District 5

2 candidates are tracked for Hawaii County Council District 5 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Shannon Matson and Ikaika Rodenhurst. Candidate information follows official Hawaii County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

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.

What this office does

County commissioner. The county board is the county's legislative and, in most states, executive body. Commissioners adopt the county budget and property tax rate, oversee roads, the jail, public health, planning and zoning in unincorporated areas, and appoint or confirm department heads. In counties with an elected county executive or judge, the board's role is mainly the budget and ordinances.

This race. Nonpartisan: candidates appear without party labels.

Hawaii › Hawaii County › Hawaii County Council District 5

Shannon Matson

Nonpartisan

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.

Biography

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.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Ikaika Rodenhurst

Nonpartisan

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.

Biography

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.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Hawaii County Council District 5 in 2026?

When is the Hawaii County Council District 5 election in Hawaii?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Hawaii are on the Hawaii election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Hawaii County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Hawaii County and state election office filings, last verified September 27, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Hawaii election office, or see the full Hawaii County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Hawaii County ballot

12 tracked races in Hawaii County, Hawaii. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot

Hawaii Senate District 2 Hawaii House District 1 Hawaii House District 2 See all 12 Hawaii County races

Candidate profiles

Shannon Matson, full profile Ikaika Rodenhurst, full profile Official Hawaii election office