Large fields of candidates are also vying to be mayor of Maui and Kauaʻi and to fill open seats in the Legislature.

Thanks to the struggles of an unpopular White House, top Dems believe political winds are pushing them toward huge victories this fall.

The retired Army colonel has been active on the frontlines of protest, from the Iraq War to Gaza, from Cuba to Minneapolis, from Red Hill to Pearl Harbor.

The minority party hopes to capitalize on recent gains in the Hawaiʻi Legislature, but the biggest elephant in the room is Trump.

Hawaiʻi lawmakers still can’t bring themselves to do anything that changes how they do business or makes it easier for other people to run for office.

The legislation would make Hawaiʻi one of the first states to sidestep the Citizens United U.S. Supreme Court case that allows unlimited corporate spending in local elections. 

The recently retired Hawaiʻi Supreme Court chief justice is working with national legal advocacy groups, publishing articles and teaching a law class at UH Mānoa.

The vote was 20-5, with dissenting senators stating concerns over the nominee’s past political affiliation.

The Legislature needs to make decisions on all tax and spending bills by Friday in order to conduct final votes next week.