Rebuilding Trust And Fiscal Analysis: State Senate District 13 Candidate Q&As
Six candidates are vying for the Oʻahu Senate district that will be left vacant by Sen. Karl Rhoads.
A 20-year veteran of both Hawaiʻi’s House and Senate chambers and the outgoing chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Karl Rhoads, has decided not to seek reelection this year, opening the door for six candidates to compete to replace him.
The district spans a diverse section of Honolulu that extends mauka of Chinatown through Liliha, Kalihi and Nuʻuanu including Pacific Heights, Pauoa, Punchbowl, Pālama and Iwilei. The race has drawn five Democrats and just one Republican for the primary election on July 21.
All of the registered candidates filled out a survey from Civil Beat, outlining their views on among other things term limits for state legislators, rebuilding public trust after the latest session and how they would address the costs of climate change. 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.
