Poverty, Schools, Extreme Weather: State House District 26 Candidate Q&As
In the Legislature, the House of Representatives seat Della Au Belatti is leaving has attracted six candidates.
The chance to represent nearly 30,000 residents in the Makiki, Punchbowl, Papakōlea and Tantalus area of inner Honolulu in the Hawaiʻi House of Representatives has opened up after the incumbent opted to seek higher office.
Della Au Belatti has been the representative for state House District 26 since November 2022, a term that expires on Nov. 3. Belatti first announced she would run for U.S. Congress, before switching to compete for lieutenant governor.
That has drawn a field of two Republican and four Democrat candidates for the district’s primary election on July 21.
All of the registered candidates filled out a survey from Civil Beat, outlining their views on term limits for state legislators, how they would help improve the public school system, ideas for diversifying the economy and how they would help the district prepare for damaging weather events.
They also answered one question from a constituent on the topic of interisland shipping.
Their responses are linked here in alphabetical order under their official ballot name, which you can also compare all in one spot on Civil Beat’s 2026 Hawaiʻi Primary Ballot.
Hawaiʻi’s 2026 elections are right around the corner and Civil Beat’s elections guide is here to help with essential information, candidate positions, news stories and more.
