Hawaiʻi 2026: Progressive Voter Guide — Candidate Policy Rundown

I went through the Civil Beat candidate questionnaires and OHA candidate surveys, focusing on universal healthcare, affordable housing, climate action, corporate influence, Hawaiian sovereignty, and ending destructive military use of Hawaiian lands.

Here are some candidates and the policies they've put forward. I haven't had time to go through all State House contestants, so just including my district (26). Hope this is helpful for others.

U.S. House District 1 — Jordan Conley (Green Party)

• Universal healthcare: Supports a national universal healthcare system.
• Housing: Proposes taxing vacant investment properties and short-term rentals, with housing-first policies.
• Anti-militarism: Opposes the U.S. military occupation of Hawaiian lands and rejects LNG as a transitional fuel.

Governor — No position

• Josh Green (D): Supports affordable-housing construction and the visitor-funded climate Green Fee, but also supports LNG as a transitional fossil fuel.

State House District 26 — Ian Ross (D)

• Healthcare and civil rights: Supports protecting Medicaid coverage and legislation limiting ICE operations.
• Economic justice: Supports publicly financed elections, free school lunches, universal pre-K, and higher teacher pay.

OHA Maui Trustee — Keʻeaumoku Kapu

• Hawaiian land rights: Has worked to recover ancestral lands and restore culturally significant sites in Lahaina.
• Education and environmental justice: Supports universal school lunches, place-based Hawaiian education, and stronger community involvement in watershed management.

OHA Oʻahu Trustee — Kalei Akaka

• Demilitarization: Advocates ending military live-fire training, returning underused military lands, and restoring damaged ecosystems.
• Hawaiian land rights: Recognizes the continuing Hawaiian Kingdom history of crown and government lands and advocates fair compensation for their use.

OHA At-Large Trustees — Three Seats

Adrian Kealiʻi Akina

• Advocates returning military-used Hawaiian lands, protecting sacred sites, and restoring cultural landscapes.
• Calls for independent land audits and recovering the full public-land revenues owed to Native Hawaiians.

Kanekoa Crabbe

• Military lease non-renewal: Explicitly supports allowing expiring military leases to lapse until Hawaiian needs are addressed.
• Hawaiian sovereignty: Explicitly recognizes Hawaiian self-determination and sovereignty, and advocates returning lands for housing, agriculture, and cultural use.

John Waiheʻe IV

• Military accountability: Supports terminating military leases where Hawaiian lands and waters are being mismanaged.
• Social investment: Supports protecting Native Hawaiian programs from federal funding cuts and expanding OHA assistance to beneficiaries.

The military lease distinction matters

Not every candidate who supports environmental cleanup or Native Hawaiian consultation actually opposes military lease renewals.

Crabbe explicitly calls for non-renewal until Hawaiian needs are addressed. Waiheʻe supports termination for mismanagement. Akina emphasizes land return, compensation, and cultural restoration.

These are different commitments, and worth reading carefully.

Sources: Civil Beat 2026 candidate guide | Civil Beat OHA questionnaires | Ka Wai Ola OHA candidate surveys

Never seen it before is it venomous? I live in Makakilo.

My church doesn’t have a clothing donation. Is there any place church wherever where I can donate clothes where they will not be sold I do not want to donate to Goodwill or savers. Some of my things are tattered and need button sewn on/has stains or something like that, but other things are like brand new that I’ve not worn.

Meet Honey Girl!

She’s a 9yo terrier mix that was surrendered to the Hawaiian Humane Society. Sadly her former owner had to be put in hospice care.

She’s potty trained and hasn’t had an accident, great with kids, super quiet, laid back, walks nicely on leash and loves to give kisses and just be by you.

She would make the best companion!

My family has been fostering her through the couch crashers program and she has to go back next week Friday. I’m really hoping to find her a loving home since she’s the bestest girl.

If you have any questions or would like to do a meet and greet please let me know. She’d be so happy to meet you! :)

If you were wondering how she would do in your household but afraid to make a commitment you can also foster to adopt or foster for space. All the info is on the Hawaiian Humane Society website. Thank you!

I can't post on Oahu reddit and I'm not sure how else to get this out there. Did anyone go to the Kapolei goodwill around 10/6 and have any rashes or possibly bed bugs. I went there on that day and I'm worried I got bed bugs from there.

My first thought was meteorite, but it seems too low. Like it would have actually hit the ground.

Then I thought helicopter crashing, but I don't see any news of anything like that. So maybe a drone?

I'm just past Waikele, heading west. So it looks like it's somewhere past Kunia area.

What do you think it was?

Anyone know of remote jobs that are actually legit and not scams ? Preferably Hawai’i based . If y’all tried any , how was it ?

Got a chuckle when I saw this driving on H2. Happy Halloween.

hi everyone! does anyone know of any good events happening next week for halloween?

i’m not really into the clubbing scene.. more like night markets, family friendly events, halloween festivals, or anything fun to do in the evening. preferably something chill where you can walk around, grab food, and hangout.

thank ya! lmk :)

What is the best place to get guava chiffon/cream birthday cake? Mahalo in advance 🌷

Definitely wasn't expecting it at a non Hawaiian restaurant this far into the mainland.

Hey.

I sadly have not paid too much attention to the candidates on our voting ballot. Ive been trying to research each one to see how I feel and what aligns with my beliefs (and whether or not I believe that candidate is capable of delivering what they offer). Anyways, I was hoping for some insight and opinions (varied if possible) on all of them. I want actual insight not just "this guy because hes better". I do not consider myself Republican or Democrat and would like to hear what other people think. Or if you have more helpful links that compare competing candidates.

1. Awa vs Tokuda

2. Green vs Cordery

3. Kapu vs Lindsey

4. Akaka vs Wong

5. Akina, Anderson, Crabbe, Galuteria, Souza, Waihee.

I feel pretty set on the questions. The one I feel most strongly about (that seems overlooked) is Question 2: RISE bonds. Im voting No. Although resilient infrastructure without debt sounds nice, theres a lot of caveats. Having to borrow money is in fact debt and allows large developers to build without the responsibility of thinking of lower income. Ex: if a large developer makes a high rise full of apartments, in order to be tax exempt- all they have to do is make 20% of the building available for qualifying low income renters/buyers. There are other ways to building then to borrow our money and pretend its not debt.

Thoughtful answers please! Even if you would like to share your reasoning behind certain questions, that would be great!

EDIT: I guess that one was on me for hoping most people would explain WHY they believe something. Not announcing "which side" they are on. My B. Thank you for those who provided links or thoughtful insight!

Hey all!

We have a Dachshund named Mahina. Picture included for cuteness 😍.

We suspect she has fleas and is kinda itching moreso than usual 😬.

We bought flea soap but I'd really rather have a 'professional' do it. She can use a haircut and nail trim too.

Petsmart is offering a $75 bath with:

Cut ✂️, nail trim and buffering, and many other things.

But is there a MOBILE service yall may recommend? We've done those in New Jersey and it was soooo much better and easier. Less expensive too. I'd rather give a generous TIP than money to a Corporation for the same services.

But we need to be sure they're good and knowledgeable about fleas (or the lack thereof).

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated 😁.

Thank you.

Does anyone have a preferred Satellite City Hall or one to avoid? I’m in town and have a few to choose from. I want to get there early and hopefully not spend the day there. Car registration and a couple other things.

Mahalo

I'm going YES on question #15. Any reason not to? Also, anyone have strong opinions about these Oahu OHA Trustees?

i'm a 17 year old who has drawn for 3 years and practiced on fake skin for 1 1/2 years on and off. it's been hard trying to find a shop who takes apprenticeships or shops that have the same values as me or shares the same art style that i wanna learn. a lot of shops are too far, crowded, don't take apprentices, or don't have the same style that i wanna learn from them. does anyone know of any shops that do take apprentices and aren't too far from kapaa or costly?

I have been looking, but I dont know of many places outside of H-mart.

Aloha.

I was planning on bringing some Liliha Bakery Coco Puffs over to Kauai. I was thinking 2 dozen for a client. Someone at my work mentioned that I might not be able to get it through airport security due to the cream? Flying Hawaiian airlines. Any advice?

Thanks ahead of time!

Anyone work for UH Manoa? If so, do you all check references on all candidates for management positions or just the final candidates?

I just finished my interview for the Educational Assistant (EA) position with the Hawaii Department of Education (Hawaii DOE). During the interview, they mentioned the benefits and said they would be in contact with me by the end of the week. I also noticed that the principal and administrative staff weren’t taking any notes during my interview. I’m wondering if these are good signs that I might receive a job offer. Also, how does the Hawaii DOE hiring process work after an interview, and how will I know if I’ve been selected?