2026 Elections

Primary Election: Wednesday, July 29, 2026

General Election: Monday, October 26, 2026

Paper Voter Registration Applications must be submitted to your County Elections Division by these dates. Voters may register online at any time or in-person at a voter service center.

• Register online anytime with your Hawaiʻi drivers license or State ID and social security number.
• To register in-person, print out fillable application form and submit to your nearest County Elections office along with a valid photo ID, bank statement, or other government document that shows your name and address.
• Voter service centers will also have same day voter registration services available 10 days prior to Election Day.

Primary Election: Saturday, August 1, 2026

General Election: Tuesday, October 27, 2026

Request your ballot be sent to an alternate address by these dates. Voters who are away from their Hawaiʻi residence during the election may submit an Absentee Ballot Application to have their ballot mailed to an alternate mailing address for the primary election, general election, or both.

Voters will receive their ballots by:

Primary Election: Tuesday, July 21, 2026

General Election: Friday, October 16, 2026

Primary Election: July 27 – August 8, 2026

General Election: October 20 – November 3, 2026 (Excluding Sundays)

Voter Service Centers are open 10 business days prior to the election offering accessible voting, in person voting and same day registration. Voter service centers are established and operated by the County Elections Divisions.

View an interactive map of Election and Voter Service Center locations.

History of OHA

OHA is a semi-autonomous state agency born out of a responsibility to improve the wellbeing of all Native Hawaiians (regardless of blood quantum) through advocacy, research, community engagement, land management and the funding of community programs.

The agency is governed by a Board of Trustees, made up of nine members who are elected statewide to serve four-year terms and set organizational policy. Everyone can vote for the trustee candidates regardless of the island or district you are registered in.

• The Establishment of OHA – Watch Kūkulu Hou: Rebuilding a Nation
• Recent Press Releases
• AHO – Access to Home Ownership
• Military Leased Lands
• Kakaʻako Makai
• Resources

At-Large Trustee Candidates – Primary Election, Aug. 8, 2026

Below is a brief introduction of the At-Large candidates with information found online and as written in the July Ka Wai Ola issue. Campaign information or surveys available online are linked under each candidate’s name.^

*No campaign website
** Correction/update to introduction (location, occupation, any interesting points)

Adrian (Kealiʻi) Akina*– Based on Hawaiʻi Island, he is an IT Resource Teacher. His name is very similar to that of current OHA At-Large Trustee (William Kealiʻi Akina) who is based on Oʻahu and is not up for election this year.  Civil Beat Q&A, 26 HiPEVG pg 89, Ballotpedia

Ikaika Anderson – Based on Oʻahu, he is a former Honolulu City Council member, was a 2022 candidate for Lt. Gov., and was nominated by Gov. Josh Green in 2022 as DHHL chair but later withdrew after rejection by the Senate Hawaiian Affairs Committee. Civil Beat Q&A, 26 HiPEVG pg 89, Ballotpedia

Karl Veto Baker – Based on Oʻahu, he is a kumu hula and musician, the CEO of Kuilei Consulting Inc., a development and consulting firm that has assisted OHA on prior projects, and has 38 years of experience as a mortgage banker. Civil Beat Q&A, 26 HiPEVG pg 89, Ballotpedia

Shelby Pikachu Billionaire** – Based on Oʻahu, he is a U.S. Air Force veteran, an entrepreneur, independent media producer** and a community advocate. He is often seen wearing sunglasses with the Pokemon character Pikachu on them. Civil Beat Q&A, 26 HiPEVG pg 89, Ballotpedia

Jackie Kahoʻokele Burke** – Based on Oʻahu, she is an entrepreneur, artist, jewelry maker, musician, and consultant-planner. She is a member of the Kalihi-Pālama Hawaiian Civic Club and the Hawaiian Community Development Board. Civil Beat Q&A, 26 HiPEVG pg 90, Ballotpedia

Michelle (Mikala) Costello** – Based on Kauaʻi, where she grew up, she attended University of San Diego and works as a development /asset management consultant.** Civil Beat Q&A, 26 HiPEVG pg 90, Ballotpedia

Kanekoa (Koa) Crabbe – Based on Oʻahu, he is a self-employed subsistence fisherman and boat builder, and the vice chairperson of the Kakaʻako Makai Community Planning Advisory Council (which works**) with the Hawaiʻi Community Development Authority. Civil Beat Q&A, 26 HiPEVG pg 90, Ballotpedia

Brickwood Galuteria** – Based on Oʻahu, he is a former Hawaiʻi State Senator (2008 – 2018), musician, recording artist, and the executive producer and host of the “Kūpuna Power” program. He is an incumbent who was elected as an OHA At-Large trustee in 2022.  Civil Beat Q&A, 26 HiPEVG pg 90, Ballotpedia

Clifford K. Kauaula* – Based on Oʻahu, he works in the field of social services as a case manager, counselor, community health worker II and as a CSAC for over 20 years. ** Civil Beat Q&A, 26HiPEVG pg 91, Ballotpedia

Brendon Kaleiʻāina Lee – Based on Oʻahu, he is a former OHA At-Large Trustee (2018 – 2022), a retired professional surfer, advocate for Native Hawaiian issues, member of the Pearl Harbor Hawaiian Civic Club and former president of the Kamehameha Schools Alumni Association. Civil Beat Q&A, 26HiPEVG pg 91, Ballotpedia

Philip (Kawika) Martin* – Based on Oʻahu, he works as a systems administrator.** Civil Beat Q&A, 26HiPEVG pg 91, Ballotpedia

R. Kūnani Nihipali Sr. – Based on Molokaʻi, he is a long-time community organizer who has held numerous leadership roles, He has been a grant writer, project director, educator, delegate and fundraiser. A retired police officer, he now farms to reestablish food and water security on Molokaʻi. Civil Beat Q&A, 26HiPEVG pg 91, Ballotpedia

Kalena A. Parish* – Based on Hawaiʻi Island, she is an award-winning, musician, executive director of the Kapena School of Music, president of the Hawaiʻi Academy of Recording Arts, a board member of the Hawaiʻi Songwriting Festival, and a real estate agent. Civil Beat Q&A, 26HiPEVG pg 92, Ballotpedia

Keoni Souza – Based on Oʻahu, he is an award-winning musician, a member of the Hawaiian musical group Nā Hoa, and a real estate agent. He is an incumbent who was elected as an OHA At-Large trustee in 2022. Civil Beat Q&A, 26HiPEVG pg 92, Ballotpedia

John Waiheʻe IV* – Based on Oahu, he is the son of former Gov. John Waiheʻe. He has served on the Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve Commission and the Native Hawaiian Historic Preservation Council. He is an incumbent who was elected as an OHA At-Large trustee in 2000. Civil Beat Q&A, 26HiPEVG pg 92, Ballotpedia

^ The information available is intended to assist voters in researching candidates to make informed decisions on the ballot. If there is information available that is not listed it is only because of lack of knowing. Please email [email protected] with additional resources to share with voters.

The Maui and Oʻahu races will not be on the primary election ballot as there are only two candidates for each seat. These races will be decided in the General Election.

Maui Trustee Candidates

Below is a brief introduction of the Maui candidates with information found online and as written in the July Ka Wai Ola issue. Campaign information or surveys available online are linked under each candidate’s name.^

*No campaign website
** Correction/update to introduction (location, occupation, any interesting points)

Keʻeaumoku Kapu* – Based on Maui, he is the president of Nā ʻAikane o Maui, a community resource for the history of Lahaina, land title research, and traditional practices. He assists with cultural monitoring, Island Burial Councils and organized recovery efforts after the Lahaina fire. Civil Beat Q&A, Ballotpedia

Carmen “Hulu” Lindsey** – Based on Maui, she is an award-winning recording artist, real estate broker, member of ʻAhahui Kaʻahumanu, and the Central Maui Hawaiian Civic Club. She is the incumbent and was elected as the OHA Maui trustee in 2012. Civil Beat Q&A, Ballotpedia

^ The information available is intended to assist voters in researching candidates to make informed decisions on the ballot. If there is information available that is not listed it is only because of lack of knowing. Please email [email protected] with additional resources to share with voters.

Oʻahu Trustee Candidates

Below is a brief introduction of the Oʻahu candidates with information found online and as written in the July Ka Wai Ola issue. Campaign information or surveys available online are linked under each candidate’s name.^

** Correction/update to introduction (location, occupation, any interesting points)

Kalei Akaka** – Based on Oʻahu, she is a granddaughter of the late U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Akaka. She has been a legislative researcher and aide, and previously worked in the middle school office at Kamehameha Schools Kapālama. She is the incumbent and was elected as the OHA Oʻahu trustee in 2018. Civil Beat Q&A, Ballotpedia

Hinaleimoana Wong – Based on Oʻahu, she is known in the community as “Kumu Hina.” She is the cultural ambassador for the Hawaiian Council, a cultural practitioner, kumu hula, teacher, researcher, writer, filmmaker, and advocate for Hawaiian language, cultural preservation, and māhū. Civil Beat Q&A, Ballotpedia

^ The information available is intended to assist voters in researching candidates to make informed decisions on the ballot. If there is information available that is not listed it is only because of lack of knowing. Please email [email protected] with additional resources to share with voters.