# 2022 Hawaii gubernatorial election

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The 2022 Hawaii gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 2022, to elect the next governor of Hawaii. Incumbent Democratic governor David Ige was term-limited and ineligible to run for a third term. Incumbent lieutenant governor Josh Green was the Democratic nominee, and faced former lieutenant governor Duke Aiona, the Republican nominee. This marked the third time Aiona had been the Republican gubernatorial nominee, having previously run unsuccessfully in 2010 and 2014. Green won the election with 63.2% of the vote.
Green's performance was the highest percentage of the vote ever received by any gubernatorial candidate in the state's history, surpassing the record from the previous election. Despite this, Aiona performed 3 points better and received 20,000 more raw votes than Andria Tupola did in 2018, likely because there were no third-party candidates in the 2022 race. Green is the first Hawaii governor born after Hawaii's statehood.

## Democratic primary
### Governor
#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* Josh Green, lieutenant governor of Hawaii (2018–present) and former state senator (2008–2018)

##### Eliminated in primary

* David Bourgoin, business consultant and candidate for mayor of Honolulu in 2020
* Vicky Cayetano, former First Lady of Hawaii (1997–2002) and wife to former governor Ben Cayetano
* Kai Kahele, U.S. representative for Hawaii's 2nd congressional district (2021–2023)
* Richard Kim, dentist, musician, and candidate for governor in 2018
* Clyde Lewman, realtor
* Van Tanabe, perennial candidate

##### Withdrew

* Kirk Caldwell, former mayor of Honolulu (2013–2021) and former state representative (2002–2008)

##### Declined

* Donovan Dela Cruz, state senator (2011–present)
* Colleen Hanabusa, former U.S. representative for Hawaii's 1st congressional district (2011–2015, 2016–2019), candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2014, candidate for governor in 2018, and candidate for mayor of Honolulu in 2020
* Sharon Har, state representative (2007–present)

##### Endorsements

Individual
* Derek Kawakami, Mayor of Kauai
Organizations
* Patsy T. Mink Foundation
Labor unions
* Hawaii Fire Fighters Association
* Hawaii Government Employees Association (HGEA), AFSCME Local 152, AFL–CIO
* Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association
* Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters
* Hawaii State AFL-CIO
* Hawaii State Teachers Association (HSTA)
* International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Locals 1186, 1260 and 1357
* International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 142
* Maui Lodging and Tourism Association
* Operating Engineers Local 3
* Plumbers & Fitters UA Local 675
* Unite Here Local 5 hotel workers union
* University of Hawaii Professional Assembly (UHPA)
Publications
* Honolulu Star-Advertiser Editorial Board
Labor unions
* Ironworkers Local 625
* Plasterers & Cement Masons, Local 630
* United Public Workers of America

#### Polling

Graphical summary
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Kirk Caldwell | Vicky Cayetano | Josh Green | Kai Kahele | Undecided |
| Mason-Dixon | July 12–17, 2022 | 317 (LV) | ± 5.6% | – | 19% | 55% | 16% | 10% |
| MRG Research | June 28–30, 2022 | 782 (LV) | ± 4.0% | – | 15% | 48% | 16% | 22% |
| | May 4, 2022 | Caldwell withdraws from the race | Caldwell withdraws from the race | Caldwell withdraws from the race | Caldwell withdraws from the race | Caldwell withdraws from the race | Caldwell withdraws from the race | Caldwell withdraws from the race |
| Public Policy Polling (D) | February 8–9, 2022 | 644 (LV) | ± 3.9% | 5% | 10% | 46% | 14% | 25% |
| Public Policy Polling (D) | February 8–9, 2022 | 644 (LV) | ± 3.9% | – | 10% | 48% | 17% | 25% |
| Mason-Dixon | January 24–28, 2022 | 320 (LV) | ± 5.6% | 11% | 8% | 58% | – | 23% |
| Public Policy Polling (D) | November 5–6, 2021 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 7% | 14% | 51% | – | 28% |
| Public Policy Polling (D) | November 5–6, 2021 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | – | 21% | 58% | – | – |

#### Results

Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Josh Green | 158,161 | 62.91% |
| | Democratic | Vicky Cayetano | 52,447 | 20.86% |
| | Democratic | Kai Kahele | 37,738 | 15.01% |
| | Democratic | Van Tanabe | 1,236 | 0.49% |
| | Democratic | Richard Kim | 991 | 0.39% |
| | Democratic | David Bourgoin | 590 | 0.23% |
| | Democratic | Clyde Lewman | 249 | 0.10% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 251,412 | 100.0% |

### Lieutenant governor
#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* Sylvia Luke, state representative (1999–2022) and House Finance Committee chair (2013–2022)

##### Eliminated in primary

* Keith Amemiya, business executive and candidate for mayor of Honolulu in 2020
* Ikaika Anderson, former member (2009–2020) and chair (2019–2020) of the Honolulu City Council
* Daniel H. Cunningham, independent candidate for governor in 2002 and 2010
* Sherry Menor-McNamara, president and CEO of Chamber of Commerce Hawaii (2013–present)
* Sam Puletasi, candidate for lieutenant governor in 2014 and for Hawaii's 1st congressional district in 2016 and 2018

##### Withdrew

* Jill Tokuda, former state senator (2006–2018) and candidate for lieutenant governor in 2018 (successfully ran for U.S. House)

##### Declined

* Sergio Alcubilla, attorney and former director of external relations, Legal Aid Society of Hawaii (ran for Hawaii's 1st congressional district)
* Donovan Dela Cruz, state senator
* Joey Manahan, Honolulu City Councilmember (2013–2021) and former state representative (2007–2013)
* Kym Pine, former state representative, former Honolulu City Councilmember, and candidate for Mayor of Honolulu in 2020
* Scott Saiki, Speaker of the Hawaii House of Representatives

#### Endorsements

Labor unions
* Ironworkers Local 625
Individuals
* Neil Abercrombie, former governor of Hawaii
* Bernard Carvalho, former mayor of Kauai County
* Ann Kobayashi, former Honolulu city councilmember and chair
* Tommy Waters, Honolulu city councilmember and chair
* Kumu Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, Native Hawaiian scholar and advocate
Labor unions
* Hawai‘i Regional Council of Carpenters (HRCC)
* Masons Union No. 1
* State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers (SHOPO)
Organizations
* Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Hawaii
Individuals
* George Ariyoshi, former governor of Hawaii
* Jason Higa, president of FCH Enterprises
* Della Au Belatti, state representative
* Dwight Takamine, former state senator
Labor unions
* Hawaii Government Employees Association (HGEA), AFSCME Local 152, AFL–CIO
* Hawaii State Teachers Association (HSTA)
* IBEW Local 1186
* ILWU Local 142
* ILWU Local 100
* Plasterers & Cement Masons, Local 630
* Operating Engineers, Local 3
* Plumbers & Fitters UA, Local 675
* United Public Workers, AFSCME, Local 646, AFL-CIO
* University of Hawaii Professional Assembly (UHPA)
* Hawaii Firefighters Association, Local 1463
* Hawaii Laborers’ Union LiUNA Local 368
Organizations and professional associations
* Americans for Democratic Action
* General Contractors Association of Hawai‘i
* Patsy T. Mink PAC
* Hawaii Association of Realtors
* Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association
Publications
* Honolulu Star-Advertiser Editorial Board

#### Polling

| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Keith Amemiya | Ikaika Anderson | Sylvia Luke | Sherry Menor-McNamara | Jill Tokuda | Undecided |
| Mason-Dixon | July 12–17, 2022 | 317 (LV) | ± 5.6% | 19% | 18% | 21% | 4% | – | 38% |
| MRG Research | June 28–30, 2022 | 782 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 10% | 14% | 20% | 7% | – | 48% |
| | April 27, 2022 | Tokuda withdraws from the race | Tokuda withdraws from the race | Tokuda withdraws from the race | Tokuda withdraws from the race | Tokuda withdraws from the race | Tokuda withdraws from the race | Tokuda withdraws from the race | Tokuda withdraws from the race |
| Mason-Dixon | January 24–28, 2022 | 320 (LV) | ± 5.6% | 8% | 9% | 3% | 7% | 13% | 60% |

#### Results

Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Sylvia Luke | 87,797 | 36.23% |
| | Democratic | Ikaika Anderson | 67,462 | 27.84% |
| | Democratic | Keith Amemiya | 57,199 | 23.60% |
| | Democratic | Sherry Menor-McNamara | 25,349 | 10.46% |
| | Democratic | Sam Puletasi | 2,328 | 0.96% |
| | Democratic | Daniel Cunningham | 2,215 | 0.91% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 242,350 | 100.0% |

## Republican primary
### Governor
#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* Duke Aiona, former lieutenant governor (2002–2010) and nominee for governor in 2010 and 2014

##### Eliminated in primary

* Gary Cordery, businessman
* George Hawat
* Keline-Kameyo Kahau, Aloha ʻĀina candidate for Hawaii House of Representatives in 2020 (also filed for Aloha ʻĀina primary)
* Lynn Barry Mariano, retired Army Officer and Civil Servant
* Paul Morgan, business consultant and former member of the Hawaii Army National Guard
* Moses Paskowitz, realtor
* B.J. Penn, mixed martial arts and Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner and former UFC Champion
* Heidi Tsuneyoshi, Honolulu City Councilmember
* Walter Woods

##### Declined

* Peter Savio, businessperson and real estate developer
* Andria Tupola, Honolulu City Councilmember (2021–present), former Minority Leader of the Hawaii House of Representatives (2017–2018), and nominee for governor in 2018

##### Endorsements

Labor unions
* State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers, police union
Publications
* Honolulu Star-Advertiser Editorial Board

#### Polling

| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Duke Aiona | Gary Cordery | Lynn Barry Mariano | Paul Morgan | B.J. Penn | Heidi Haunani Tsuneyoshi | Undecided |
| Mason-Dixon | July 12–17, 2022 | 133 (LV) | ± 8.7% | 48% | – | – | – | 26% | 9% | 17% |
| MRG Research | June 28–30, 2022 | 269 (LV) | ± 6.0% | 27% | 7% | 3% | 1% | 24% | 9% | 29% |

#### Results

Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Duke Aiona | 37,608 | 49.57% |
| | Republican | B.J. Penn | 19,817 | 26.12% |
| | Republican | Gary Cordery | 8,258 | 10.88% |
| | Republican | Heidi Haunani Tsuneyoshi | 7,255 | 9.56% |
| | Republican | Lynn Barry Mariano | 903 | 1.19% |
| | Republican | Paul Morgan | 796 | 1.05% |
| | Republican | Keline Kahau | 469 | 0.62% |
| | Republican | Walter Woods | 438 | 0.58% |
| | Republican | Moses Paskowitz | 189 | 0.25% |
| | Republican | George Hawat | 140 | 0.18% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 75,873 | 100.0% |

### Lieutenant governor
#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* Seaula Tupa'i Jr., pastor

##### Eliminated in primary

* Rob Burns, realtor
* Tae Kim, candidate for Honolulu prosecutor in 2020

#### Results

Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Seaula Tupai Jr. | 35,798 | 53.56% |
| | Republican | Rob Burns | 23,121 | 34.60% |
| | Republican | Tae Kim | 7,911 | 11.84% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 66,830 | 100.0% |

## Nonpartisan primary

Under Hawaii law, a nonpartisan candidate must either receive at least ten percent of the vote for that office (32,729 votes for governor or 30,918 votes for lieutenant governor) or receive a vote "equal to or greater than the lowest vote received by the partisan candidate who was nominated" (37,608 votes for governor or 35,798 votes for lieutenant governor) to qualify for the general election ballot. Because none of the nonpartisan candidates for governor or lieutenant governor met that threshold, no nonpartisan candidates for governor or lieutenant governor advanced to the general election.

### Governor
#### Candidates
##### Eliminated in primary

* Caleb Nazara, pastor
* Keleionalani Taylor, activist

#### Results

Nonpartisan primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Nonpartisan | Keleionalani Taylor | 755 | 61.94% |
| | Nonpartisan | Caleb Nazara | 464 | 38.06% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,219 | 100.0% |

### Lieutenant governor
#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* Charles Keoho

#### Results

Nonpartisan primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Nonpartisan | Charles Keoho | 1,030 | 100.0% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,030 | 100.0% |

## General election
### Predictions

| Source | Ranking | As of |
| The Cook Political Report | Solid D | March 4, 2022 |
| Inside Elections | Solid D | March 4, 2022 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball | Safe D | January 26, 2022 |
| Politico | Solid D | April 1, 2022 |
| RCP | Safe D | January 10, 2022 |
| Fox News | Solid D | May 12, 2022 |
| 538 | Solid D | June 30, 2022 |
| Elections Daily | Safe D | November 7, 2022 |

### Post-primary endorsements

Organizations
* 314 Action
Labor unions
* National Education Association
Publications
* Honolulu Star-Advertiser Editorial Board (co-endorsed with Aiona)
Publications
* Honolulu Star-Advertiser Editorial Board (co-endorsed with Green)

### Results

2022 Hawaii gubernatorial election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Josh GreenSylvia Luke | 261,025 | 63.16% | +0.49% |
| | Republican | Duke AionaSeaula Tupa'i Jr. | 152,237 | 36.84% | +3.14% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 413,262 | 100.00% | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 417,215 | 48.44% | –4.24 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 861,358 | | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### By county

By county :
| County | Josh Green Democratic | Josh Green Democratic | Duke Aiona Republican | Duke Aiona Republican | Margin | Margin | Total votes |
| County | # | % | # | % | # | % | Total votes |
| Hawaii | 42,152 | 65.84 | 21,870 | 34.16 | 20,282 | 31.68 | 64,022 |
| Honolulu | 170,575 | 62.36 | 102,968 | 37.64 | 67,607 | 24.72 | 273,543 |
| Kauai | 14,227 | 59.63 | 9,632 | 40.37 | 4,595 | 19.26 | 23,859 |
| Maui | 33,930 | 65.79 | 17,641 | 34.21 | 16,289 | 31.58 | 51,571 |
| Totals | 259,901 | 63.21 | 151,258 | 36.79 | 108,643 | 26.42 | 411,159 |

#### By congressional district

Green won both congressional districts.
| District | Green | Aiona | Representative |
| 1st | 64% | 36% | Ed Case |
| 2nd | 62% | 38% | Kai Kahele (117th Congress) |
| 2nd | 62% | 38% | Jill Tokuda (118th Congress) |