Some of the candidates recommended by the union were elected outright Saturday
Posted: August 11, 2026
Candidates supported by the Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association performed well in Saturday’s primary election, with some winning office outright that evening.
Kauaʻi Mayor Derek Kawakami, whom HSTA recommended, resoundingly took the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor, garnering nearly two-thirds of the vote in Saturdayʻs primary. Kawakami now advances to the Nov. 3 general election.
Senate Education Chair Donna Mercado Kim (D, Kalihi, Moanalua, Red Hill) convincingly won the Democratic primary for Senate District 14. She also won re-election to her seat outright because there are no other candidates running for that district in this fall’s general election.
State Rep. Jackson Sayama defeated 40-year legislative veteran State Sen. Les Ihara by more than 2-to-1, with 61.5% of the vote Saturday, to win the State Senate seat representing Pālolo, St. Louis Heights and parts of Kaimukī. Sayama wins his first four-year term in the Senate automatically, since there are no rivals running for the post in the general.
Five Democrats fought for the nomination to succeed Sayama in House District 21, covering St. Louis Heights, Maunalani Heights, Pālolo Valley and Kaimukī. Derek Turbin, an attorney and chair of the Democratic Party of Hawai’i, crushed his four opponents in the Democratic primary, winning nearly 42% of the vote, nearly double that of his next closest rival.
State Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz, chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, also won election outright Saturday night, defeating a challenger with nearly 67% of the vote to continue representing the Wahiawā area in the Senate.
Campbell High social studies teacher Corey Rosenlee, who served two terms as HSTA president until 2021, handily defeated his opponent in the Democratic primary for House District 39, which includes Royal Kunia, Village Park and Honouliuli.
In a highly successful showing for several other House candidates recommended by the HSTA, first-time candidates Cov Ratcliffe and Daisy Hartsfield both won their primary elections outright. Ratcliffe will continue to represent Sand Island, Chinatown and Iwilei in House District 28 after being appointed to the position in April, while Hartsfield will represent Waipahu in House District 36. Adding to these incredibly positive results, Ian Ross achieved a well-deserved win, securing the Democratic nomination for the State House seat representing Makiki and Punchbowl after previously running for it.
First-time candidate Tricia Nakamatsu also emerged victorious in her primary contest to advance to the general election in the hopes of representing Nuʻuanu, Pacific Heights, Pauoa, Punchbowl and Liliha in the State Senate.
HSTA President Osa Tui, Jr. said, “These candidates’ commitment and hard work clearly resonated with voters as they advance to the next stage of the election process.”
Some races too close to call
Several legislative seats appear too close to call and will likely go to recounts.
Incumbent State Rep. Kanani Souza (R, Kapolei, Makakilo) led her challenger by a single vote, triggering an automatic recount.
State Sen. Kurt Fevella (R, Ewa Beach, Ocean Pointe, Ewa by Gentry, Iroquois Point), a strong and visible supporter of public education and our public schools, trailed former State Rep. Bob McDermott by seven votes in the Republican primary.
Another incumbent, State Rep. Ikaika Hussey (D, Kamehameha Heights, Kalihi Valley), led his challenger by 33 votes as he tries to hold on to his seat. While this race was close, it did not cross the threshold for an automatic recount. Hussey will advance to the general election.
Recounts were scheduled for Tuesday morning and could change the outcome of those close races. Candidates also have until the end of the week to “cure” ballots—ballots held in reserve until signatures can be verified.
Even in some races where HSTA-supported candidates were not victorious, there were strong performances.
Kāneʻohe State Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole mounted a strong challenge to U.S. Rep Ed Case, who is running for re-election to a fifth term in Congress representing urban Honolulu. Keohokalole, in his first bid for Congress, garnered more than 35% of the vote. Since he was not up for re-election in the State Senate this year, he still has two years remaining in his term representing Windward O‘ahu and clearly has a bright political future ahead of him.
On Maui, first-time political candidate Ashley Olson, a teacher at Lahainaluna High, lost to Sne Patel by just 2 percentage points in the Democratic primary. Olson is president of HSTA’s Maui Chapter and a longtime HSTA governance leader who has taught and mentored several generations of students on the Valley Isle.
HSTA’s Government Relations Committee will evaluate the primary election outcomes as well as requests for support from general election candidates. The union will release its recommendations for the Nov. 3 Election Day as soon as they have been determined.
Also be on the lookout for opportunities to sign wave and participate in other events with HSTA-recommended candidates. They appreciate the support and the opportunity to dialogue with teachers about the struggles they face.
In mid-June, HSTA released its list of recommended candidates for the primary, along with statements from each candidate.
Waipahu State Sen. Rachele Lamosao, who received more than twice as many votes as her primary challenger, faces a general election opponent in November.
State Senate President Ron Kouchi, who represents Kauaʻi and Niʻihau, was re-elected during the primary because he faces no general election opponents.
State Rep. Darius Kila soundly defeated a primary challenger and now faces an opponent in the general to continue representing Honokai Hale, Nānākuli and Mā’ili for a third two-year term.
State Rep. Andrew Garrett was elected outright in the primary to his third term representing Mānoa and Tantalus.
Campbell High teacher and former HSTA President Corey Rosenlee, who easily defeated his primary opponent, is running for the State House seat representing Royal Kunia, Village Park and Honouliuli.