Ken Fujiyama governor candidate in Hawaiʻi’s 2026 Republican primary, answered a series of policy questions on housing, taxes, climate, and governance ahead of the Aug. 8 election. He is competing against Republican Gary Cordery.
Editor’s note: Candidates in the primary were invited to explain their priorities and positions on key issues. Responses are presented in a Q&A format and have been edited for clarity and length.
Why he says he is best suited for the job
Fujiyama points to his background as an entrepreneur, businessman, and real estate developer, saying that experience aligns with the state’s major cost-of-living challenges. He argues he can deliver large-scale housing, including 100,000 low-priced lots offered at about $50,000 each. He says he wants the job because he believes he can solve problems by thinking big, looking long term, and working outside traditional approaches.
Top issues and first steps
Fujiyama lists government growth and spending, the high cost of living, a shortage of housing for middle- and lower-income residents, and heavy tax burdens on those earners among his priorities. He also highlights modernizing education during and after school hours, attracting large private employers to expand the private economy, and addressing shortages of doctors, nurses, and other medical providers.
He says his first action would be to analyze budgets, revenue, and expenses within the governor’s authority.
Ethics and restoring trust
Asked about curbing abuses of office for personal gain, he says state ethics laws already set clear limits on gifts and require disclosures. He notes questions often center on whether donations violate disclosure rules. He adds that his immediate focus is on the major problems he has prioritized.
Housing affordability in Honolulu
With the median home price on Oʻahu above $1 million, Fujiyama’s plan centers on creating 100,000 vacant lots along gravel roads without utilities, priced around $50,000 per lot. He says off-grid technologies, including catchment water systems, solar heaters, and septic systems, could make homeownership attainable even for minimum wage earners.
He argues Hawaiʻi has land, much of it publicly owned, and the challenge is putting it to use.
Working with the federal administration
Fujiyama favors a cooperative approach rather than a combative stance, saying all-or-nothing politics from either party makes progress harder. He says finding ways to work together can produce results, adding that achieving something is better than getting nothing.
Ken Fujiyama governor on climate funds and energy
On concerns about how Hawaiʻi’s green fee is being distributed, he says he has his own ideas on future energy needs and opposes monopoly control by the electric utility. He calls for more competition in power generation.
Addressing climate change now
Fujiyama describes the climate discussion as politically charged but says Hawaiʻi should consider all options, particularly geothermal. He argues the state has significant geothermal potential that has reduced petroleum dependence elsewhere and calls it an abundant resource that should be expanded.
Renewables and LNG transition
On the state’s 2045 renewable energy goal, he asks at what cost it will be met and reiterates that Hawaiʻi should keep options open. He again opposes a single-utility monopoly.
Tax cuts and broader tax policy
Fujiyama says he would protect recent historic income tax cuts and is considering additional measures to safeguard lower-income residents. He supports revisiting real estate tax codes, particularly for agricultural landowners with holdings from 5 acres to as much as 300,000 acres.
Disaster readiness and insurance
In light of recent damaging weather events, he criticizes insurance industry practices and suggests the state explore a form of self-insurance backed by government to better protect residents.
Ballot initiatives and legislative process
Fujiyama says committee chairs currently hold too much power to block or advance bills. He proposes allowing a set number of committee members to override the chair.
He notes that Hawaiʻi previously placed initiative and referendum questions on ballots but says they were not well publicized or sufficiently debated, leaving voters unclear on impacts.
Homelessness strategy
Fujiyama says homelessness has many causes that require different responses. He cites needs ranging from addiction treatment and mental health care to temporary and long-term shelter, all near food access and clean restrooms.
He says he has outlined steps he believes would significantly reduce homelessness.
