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 · Josh Green 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.
Lowering the cost of living, which he calls his top focus — 'everything connects to it — housing, healthcare, taxes, food, and energy.'
Housing: he cites approving over 10,000 low-income units, accelerating nearly 7,000 affordable units, and working with the legislature on what he calls the most significant housing and zoning reforms in more than 40 years.
The kauhale village model for homelessness — communities that 'give people shelter, stability, and services,' with healthcare costs dropping once residents are housed.
Maui wildfire recovery, including a $500 million plan for housing and direct rental assistance.
The state green fee, a visitor-funded climate and conservation charge.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Governor of Hawaii since December 2022; lieutenant governor 2018-2022; state senator and state representative before that; emergency room physician.
Led the state response to the August 2023 Lahaina wildfire, which killed about 100 people, and the recovery since.
Signed a $500 million plan for Maui housing and direct rental assistance.
Signed the housing and zoning reform package he describes as the most significant in over 40 years.
Signed Hawaii's green fee into law.
Investigations found the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency did not activate sirens during the Lahaina fire despite known fire risk, and that federal-state coordination lagged, with about $150 million of billions pledged disbursed by mid-2024.
Won the August 8 2026 Democratic primary with a large majority over three opponents.
Reported roughly $3.5 million raised.
Arguments in favor
His housing record is measurable: over 10,000 low-income units approved, nearly 7,000 affordable units accelerated, and the biggest housing and zoning reform package in forty years.
— Josh Green for Governor campaign, in a Star-Advertiser candidate questionnaire
The kauhale model gets people off the street into shelter with services attached, and healthcare costs for those residents drop sharply once they are housed.
— Josh Green for Governor campaign
He directed $500 million to Maui housing and rental assistance after the Lahaina fire, and says thousands of homes are now completed or under construction.
— Governor Josh Green, in his August 2026 message
Arguments against
'The Green administration and AG have sued the Trump administration numerous times spending millions of taxpayer monies,' rather than maintaining a working relationship with the federal government Hawaii depends on.
— Gary Cordery, Republican nominee
The green fee is 'another tax and the taxes generated are not targeted as described in its presentation for passage.'
— Gary Cordery, Republican nominee
The emergency agency under his administration failed to sound sirens during the Lahaina fire despite known risk, and federal-state coordination lagged — about $150 million of billions pledged had been disbursed by mid-2024.
— Post-fire investigations, as summarised in coverage of his record
What we couldn’t verify
His official campaign website could not be verified, so no URL is listed.
His plan for the state budget shortfall he raised in his January 2026 legislative address.
How the lieutenant governor scandal referred to in Hawaii News Now's post-primary coverage affects the ticket; the details of it were not established here.
Exact primary percentages: sources give his share as about 82% or about 88.5%.
Eliminating Hawaii's general excise tax on food and medicine.
Freezing property taxes for homeowners at retirement, and tax exemptions for Native Hawaiian homeowners.
Education reform.
Cracking down on corruption and improving government transparency.
A 'mutually respectful relationship' with the federal administration, working 'honorably, with integrity, representing all Hawai'i people within the constitution.'
Opposing the state green fee.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Owner of a construction company in Hawaii.
Ran for governor of Hawaii in 2022.
Won the August 8 2026 Republican primary over Ken Fujiyama with a large majority.
Has raised about $313,000, against about $3.5 million for the incumbent.
Has not held elected office.
Arguments in favor
His cost of living plan is specific: 15,000 homes for working families, eliminating the general excise tax on food and medicine, and freezing property taxes for retirees.
— Gary Cordery for Governor campaign
He is a builder by trade in a state whose central problem is that it does not build enough housing.
— Gary Cordery for Governor campaign
He and his running mate would prioritise tax exemptions for Native Hawaiian homeowners and government transparency.
— Gary Cordery and Daniel Anthony, in an August 2026 Hawaii News Now interview
Arguments against
He is running against an incumbent with more than ten times his fundraising, in a state Republicans have not won since 2006.
— Hawaii Democratic Party, as reported by Hawaii News Now
Eliminating the general excise tax on food and medicine and freezing retirees' property taxes would take revenue out of a state budget the governor has already described as under strain.
— Josh Green for Governor campaign
What we couldn’t verify
How the 15,000 homes would be financed and built, and on what timescale.
How the general excise tax exemptions would be paid for.
Little criticism of him by name from the Green campaign was located, so only two arguments against are listed and both are drawn from general framing rather than quoted statements; a reviewer should treat that as thin.
His detailed positions on Maui recovery could not be established from a source read directly.
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.
Democratic incumbent Josh Green is seeking a second term. Roster established from Wikipedia's race page, Ballotpedia, Hawaii Public Radio, Hawaii News Now, Honolulu Civil Beat and the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, cross-checked. In the August 8 2026 primaries, Green won the Democratic nomination over three opponents — sources give his share as about 82% or about 88.5% — and construction company owner Gary Cordery won the Republican nomination over Ken Fujiyama, reported as either about 67% or about 76%. Hawaii elects governor and lieutenant governor as a joint ticket in November: Green runs with Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami, Cordery with Daniel Anthony. Green has raised about $3.5 million to Cordery's roughly $313,000. Republicans have not won a Hawaii governor's race since 2006 and all major forecasters rate this Solid Democratic. No third-party or independent candidate for governor was found on the general election ballot.
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.