Hawaii Holds State Primaries Amid Bribery Scandal and SAVE Act Rift

Hawaii conducts state primary elections on August 8, 2026, with contests for governor, lieutenant governor, the U.S. House, and the state legislature. The elections are held primarily by mail across the state's four counties.

Governor Josh Green is seeking reelection, while the race for lieutenant governor has become a central focus. Nine candidates are competing to replace Sylvia Luke, who has remained on unpaid leave since April after pleading not guilty to bribery charges related to her 2022 campaign. Kauai County Mayor Derek Kawakami currently leads the field in fundraising for the seat.

In the 1st Congressional District, Democratic U.S. Representative Ed Case is seeking a seventh term but faces a primary challenge from state Senator Jarrett Keohokalole. Keohokalole has criticized Case for his support of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, a legislative priority of President Donald Trump, creating a ideological rift within the Democratic primary.