Storms, Civility And Affordability: State Senate District 10 Candidate Q&As

House member for East Honolulu district is making a move on the incumbent senator for the same area.

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House member for East Honolulu district is making a move on the incumbent senator for the same area.

The longtime incumbent Democratic senator for state Senate District 10 is facing a challenge from the House member who has represented the same district for the past six years.

Les Ihara has been the senator for the area covering St. Louis Heights, Pālolo Valley, Maunalani Heights, Wilhelmina Rise and Kaimukī in East Honolulu since 1994. Opponent Jackson Sayama has been the representative for the House equivalent since 2020.

Both candidates filled out a survey from Civil Beat, outlining their views on a range of issues including what pieces of legislation they wish had not made it in the latest session, how they would make Hawaiʻi less reliant on tourism and how to prepare the district for extreme weather events.

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.

Les Ihara

Jackson Sayama

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