Who's running in Hawaii's 2nd congressional district
2 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
2 candidates · ballot order · Jill Tokuda currently holds this seat
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Removing tariffs on allies, suspending the federal gas tax and reversing the 2025 law's Medicaid and Medicare cuts.
Stopping large investors and private equity from buying single-family homes and farmland, and pushing the military to build base housing.
Tax-exempt disaster relief and deductible losses for wildfire and other disaster survivors.
Supporting the Jones Act as protection for Hawaii's supply chain, jobs and security.
A fair deal and accountability in renegotiating military land leases, including Pohakuloa Training Area.
Upholding federal trust responsibilities to Native Hawaiian institutions and programs.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
US Representative for Hawaii's 2nd District since January 2023; re-elected with 66.5% in 2024.
Hawaii state Senate for 12 years; former member of the House Armed Services Committee.
Won the August 8, 2026 Democratic primary with 83.4%.
Had more than $600,000 in cash on hand in July 2026, per Civil Beat; endorsed by former Gov. David Ige, the National Education Association, Planned Parenthood Action Fund and End Citizens United, per Wikipedia.
Arguments in favor
'I am a fighter who knows how to work across the aisle to get things done for Hawai'i ... I do not stay silent when Hawai'i's people are on the line'; seniority and showing up consistently matter for Hawaii.
— Rep. Jill Tokuda (Civil Beat candidate Q&A and interview)
Teachers', abortion rights and campaign finance reform groups have endorsed Tokuda.
— National Education Association, Planned Parenthood Action Fund and End Citizens United, per Wikipedia's race page
Arguments against
Hawaii's congressional delegation has been dominated by Democrats 'for far too long'; a Republican would bring balance and access to the White House: 'If we only got screwdrivers and wrenches in the toolbox, but you need a hammer, you're out of luck.'
— State Sen. Brenton Awa, Republican opponent (Civil Beat)
What we couldn’t verify
No NRCC material on Tokuda was found.
Debate or forum plans were not confirmed in a loaded source.
Balancing Hawaii's all-Democratic congressional delegation with a Republican who has access to the White House.
Stopping corporate investors from buying Hawaii land and tax incentives for developers to build homes for local residents.
Capping federal military housing allowances and requiring service members to pay full vehicle registration fees.
Housing every Native Hawaiian, including by reducing blood quantum requirements for Hawaiian homesteads.
Serving a single term.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Hawaii state Senate since 2022 (23rd District); Senate minority leader since 2024.
Former television news anchor.
Unopposed in the August 8, 2026 Republican primary with 26,290 votes.
Raised just under $14,000 in the second quarter of 2026 with about $19,000 on hand, per Civil Beat.
Arguments in favor
'It's always about making sure there's balance in our leadership'; as a Republican he would have unique access and leverage, especially at the White House, that Democratic members lack.
— State Sen. Brenton Awa (Civil Beat)
Arguments against
No Republican can go to Washington and get a good deal from Trump — 'Donald Trump doesn't deal. Donald Trump does what's good for Donald Trump' — and running just to serve during this president's term 'absolutely would harm and hurt the people of Hawaii.'
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
November 3, 2026 is Hawaii's general election, decided by plurality; there is no runoff. The map did not change for 2026: the districts drawn by Hawaii's reapportionment commission after the 2020 census remain in use, and no redraw or pending congressional map case was found. Hawaii's primary was held August 8, 2026. The roster follows the Hawaii Office of Elections' official primary results. Democratic Rep. Jill Tokuda won her primary with 92,075 votes (83.4%) over three minor candidates; state Senate Minority Leader Brenton Awa was unopposed on the Republican ballot. Nonpartisan candidates Edward Codelia (1,230 votes) and Randall Terry (738) appeared on the primary ballot. Under state law a nonpartisan candidate advances only with 10% of the votes for the office or at least as many votes as the lowest-voted partisan nominee; both fell far short of either threshold, so neither is listed. Politics1 still lists Codelia. No certified general election candidate list was loaded. Write-in candidates are not listed. The district covers rural and suburban Oahu, including Waimanalo, Kailua, Kaneohe, Kahuku, Makaha and Nanakuli, and all the neighbor islands. Tokuda won 66.5% in 2024. If elected, Awa would be the first Republican to represent this district. Candidates are listed incumbent first; that is not verified ballot order and implies no ranking.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A Hawaii ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.