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.

Kalehua Kaʻōpua

Chris Muraoka

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.

What it means to support Civil Beat.

Supporting Civil Beat means you’re investing in a newsroom that can devote months to investigate corruption. It means we can cover vulnerable, overlooked communities because those stories matter. And, it means we serve you. And only you.

Donate today and help sustain the kind of journalism Hawaiʻi cannot afford to lose.

About the Author