A wide-open race has emerged after Sylvia Luke halted her reelection bid, and Hawaii lieutenant governor candidates are now competing in one of the state’s most closely watched contests ahead of the Aug. 8 primary.
Eleven contenders qualified for the ballot, including Kauaʻi County’s sitting mayor and the longtime state House representative for Oʻahu’s District 26. The field includes five Democrats, four Republicans and one nonpartisan hopeful.
Each candidate received a questionnaire focused on the responsibilities and opportunities of the office, which has often served as a springboard to the governorship.
The survey asked candidates to address rebuilding public trust in the Legislature after a contentious year, identify the causes they would champion using the office’s platform and say whether they back citizen-initiated referenda to shape policy.
Candidate filing and election procedures are overseen by the Hawaiʻi Office of Elections, which administers state contests, including the lieutenant governor race.
Candidate responses, when submitted, are available in alphabetical order under their official ballot names, with updates expected through the primary. Readers can compare answers in one place and check back for additions.
Hawaii lieutenant governor candidates
- Daniel Anthony
- Della Au Belatti
- John Choi
- Hopelin Cresencia
- Ku L. Bobby Cuadra
- Shaena Dela Cruz
- Kilakila Kamau
- Derek Kawakami
- Margaret Meija
- Robert Peters
- Sam Puletasi
As Hawaiʻi voters prepare for the 2026 primary, these responses offer a way to compare platforms on integrity in government, the role of the lieutenant governor and potential pathways for voter-driven policy.
