Two partisan candidates are facing off in the West Oʻahu race.
The Republican incumbent for State House District 45 representing the Oʻahu communities of Waiʻanae and Mākaha, Chris Muraoka, is facing Democratic challenger Kalehue Kaʻōpua in the Aug. 8 primary election.
Muraoka has served the Westside communities since 2024.
Both candidates were sent a survey from Civil Beat, asking their views on a range of topics including term limits, fiscal notes for proposed legislation and how they would approach the financial pressures facing Hawaiʻiʻs households.
Their responses are linked 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.
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About the Author
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Matthew Leonard is a senior reporter for Civil Beat, focusing on data journalism. He has worked in media and cultural organizations in both hemispheres since 1988. Follow him on Twitter at @mleonardmedia or email mleonard@civilbeat.org.