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Hawaii State Senate District 1

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Hawaii State Senate District 1
Incumbent
Assumed office: November 8, 2022

Hawaii State Senate District 1 is represented by Lorraine Inouye (D).

As of the 2020 Census, Hawaii state senators represented an average of 58,405 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 54,674 residents.

About the chamber

Members of the Hawaii State Senate serve four-year terms and are not subject to term limits. Hawaii legislators assume office on the day they are elected in the general election.[1]

Qualifications

See also: State legislature candidate requirements by state

From Article III, Section 6 of the Hawaii Constitution: "No person shall be eligible to serve as a member of the senate unless the person has been a resident of the State for not less than three years, has attained the age of majority and is, prior to filing nomination papers and thereafter continues to be, a qualified voter of the senatorial district from which the person seeks to be elected; except that in the year of the first general election following reapportionment, but prior to the primary election, an incumbent senator may move to a new district without being disqualified from completing the remainder of the incumbent senator’s term."[2]


Salaries

See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
State legislative salaries, 2024[3]
SalaryPer diem
$74,160/year$225/day; only for legislators who do not reside on Oahu.

Vacancies

See also: How vacancies are filled in state legislatures

If there is a vacancy in the Hawaii State Legislature for a term that ends at the next general election, the governor is responsible for appointing a replacement. The governor must appoint a replacement within 60 days after the vacancy happens. The candidate is selected from a list of three prospective candidates submitted by the political party that last held the vacant seat. The party has thirty days after the vacancy to submit a list of prospective candidates. If the person leaving the seat is an independent (no party affiliation), the governor must select a resident from the vacant district that is not a member of any political party.[4][5]

In the event of a vacancy for a term that does not end at the next general election, the vacancy shall be filled by a special election at the next general election or by appointment. If the vacancy occurs no later than the 10th day before the close of filing for the next succeeding primary election, the unexpired term will be filled during the subsequent general election. If the vacancy occurs after the 60th day before the next succeeding primary but no later than the 50th day before the next succeeding general election, the unexpired term will be filled during the subsequent general election. The chief election officer shall issue a proclamation of the special election. If the vacancy occurs after the fiftieth day before the next succeeding general election, the governor is required to make an appointment to fill the unexpired term. The appointee will be selected from a list of three prospective candidates submitted by the political party that last held the vacant seat.[4]

DocumentIcon.jpg See sources: Hawaii Const. Art. 3, Sec. 5, Hawaii Rev. Stat., §17-3, and Hawaii Rev. Stat. § 17-4


District map

Redistricting

2020 redistricting cycle

See also: Redistricting in Hawaii after the 2020 census


The Hawaii Reapportionment Commission approved new legislative district maps on January 28, 2022.[6] The commission's Technical Committee Permitted Interaction Group initially presented the state legislative map plans to the commission for consideration on October 14, 2021. The map plans were approved for public comment on October 28.[7] On January 6, the commission approved a motion to modify the legislative map plans after learning the initial plans had not properly accounted for the number of nonpermanent resident personnel on military installations in the state, who are not included in legislative redistricting. Under the modified proposal, one legislative district would be moved from Oahu to Hawaii.[8][9] This map took effect for Hawaii's 2022 state legislative elections.

How does redistricting in Hawaii work? In Hawaii, a nine-member commission draws both congressional and state legislative district lines. The majority and minority leaders of the Hawaii State Senate and Hawaii House of Representatives each select two members. These eight members then select a ninth tie-breaking commissioner. If the commission is unable to reach an agreement on a ninth member, the Hawaii Supreme Court must make the appointment.[10]

Both congressional and state legislative district boundaries must be contiguous and compact. In addition, where possible, district lines "must follow permanent and easily recognized features ... and coincide with census tracts." In addition, "districts must also avoid submerging one area in another with substantially different predominant socioeconomic interests." No district can be drawn "to unduly favor a person or political faction."[10]

State law permits state legislative districts to be multimember, but a maximum of four representatives can be elected from a single district.[10]

Hawaii State Senate District 1
until November 7, 2022

Click a district to compare boundaries.

Hawaii State Senate District 1
starting November 8, 2022

Click a district to compare boundaries.

Elections

2024

See also: Hawaii State Senate elections, 2024

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Hawaii State Senate District 1

Incumbent Lorraine Inouye won election outright against Laura Acasio in the Democratic primary for Hawaii State Senate District 1 on August 10, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Lorraine Inouye
Lorraine Inouye
 
62.2
 
7,685
Image of Laura Acasio
Laura Acasio
 
37.8
 
4,667

Total votes: 12,352
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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2022

See also: Hawaii State Senate elections, 2022

General election

General election for Hawaii State Senate District 1

Incumbent Lorraine Inouye defeated Helen Tupai in the general election for Hawaii State Senate District 1 on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Lorraine Inouye
Lorraine Inouye (D)
 
70.9
 
12,432
Helen Tupai (R)
 
29.1
 
5,094

Total votes: 17,526
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Hawaii State Senate District 1

Incumbent Lorraine Inouye defeated incumbent Laura Acasio and Wil Okabe in the Democratic primary for Hawaii State Senate District 1 on August 13, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Lorraine Inouye
Lorraine Inouye
 
56.1
 
7,214
Image of Laura Acasio
Laura Acasio
 
30.5
 
3,925
Wil Okabe
 
13.4
 
1,731

Total votes: 12,870
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Hawaii State Senate District 1

Helen Tupai advanced from the Republican primary for Hawaii State Senate District 1 on August 13, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Helen Tupai
 
100.0
 
2,198

Total votes: 2,198
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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2018

See also: Hawaii State Senate elections, 2018

General election

General election for Hawaii State Senate District 1

Incumbent Kaiali'i Kahele defeated Kimberly Arianoff in the general election for Hawaii State Senate District 1 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Kaiali'i Kahele
Kaiali'i Kahele (D)
 
87.5
 
12,492
Kimberly Arianoff (L)
 
12.5
 
1,792

Total votes: 14,284
(100.00% precincts reporting)
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Hawaii State Senate District 1

Incumbent Kaiali'i Kahele advanced from the Democratic primary for Hawaii State Senate District 1 on August 11, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Kaiali'i Kahele
Kaiali'i Kahele
 
100.0
 
9,542

Total votes: 9,542
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Libertarian primary election

Libertarian primary for Hawaii State Senate District 1

Kimberly Arianoff advanced from the Libertarian primary for Hawaii State Senate District 1 on August 11, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Kimberly Arianoff
 
100.0
 
15

Total votes: 15
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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2016

See also: Hawaii State Senate elections, 2016

Elections for the Hawaii State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on August 13, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was June 7, 2016.

Incumbent Kaiali'i Kahele defeated Kimberly Arianoff in the Hawaii State Senate District 1 general election.[11]

Hawaii State Senate, District 1 General Election, 2016
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Kaiali'i Kahele Incumbent 88.86% 14,488
     Libertarian Kimberly Arianoff 11.14% 1,816
Total Votes 16,304
Source: State of Hawaii - Office of Elections


Incumbent Kaiali'i Kahele defeated Dennis Onishi and Kaloa Robinson in the Hawaii State Senate District 1 Democratic primary.[12][13]

Hawaii State Senate, District 1 Democratic Primary, 2016
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Kaiali'i Kahele Incumbent 57.71% 6,592
     Democratic Dennis Onishi 35.34% 4,037
     Democratic Kaloa Robinson 6.94% 793
Total Votes 11,422

2014

See also: Hawaii State Senate elections, 2014

Elections for the Hawaii State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on August 9, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 3, 2014. Incumbent Gilbert Kahele defeated Wendell Ka'ehu'ae'a in the Democratic primary and defeated Gregory "Kobata" Arianoff (L) in the general election.[14][15][16]

Hawaii State Senate, District 1, General Election, 2014
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngGilbert Kahele Incumbent 86.3% 11,638
     Libertarian Gregory "Kobata" Arianoff 13.7% 1,850
Total Votes 13,488
Hawaii State Senate, District 1 Democratic Primary, 2014
Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngGilbert Kahele Incumbent 82.2% 8,366
Wendell Ka'ehu'ae'a 17.8% 1,817
Total Votes 10,183

2012

See also: Hawaii State Senate elections, 2012

Elections for the office of Hawaii State Senate consisted of a primary election on August 11, 2012, and a general election on November 6, 2012. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 5, 2012. Incumbent Gilbert Kahele (D) was unopposed in the general election and defeated Donald Ikeda in the Democratic primary.[17][18]

Hawaii State Senate, District 1 Democratic Primary, 2012
Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngGilbert Kahele Incumbent 58.4% 7,027
Donald Ikeda 41.6% 5,011
Total Votes 12,038

Campaign contributions

From 2002 to 2024, candidates for Hawaii State Senate District 1 raised a total of $1,512,739. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $72,035 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money

Campaign contributions, Hawaii State Senate District 1
Year Amount Candidates Average
2024 $144,413 2 $72,207
2022 $240,540 4 $60,135
2018 $133,347 2 $66,674
2014 $118,787 3 $39,596
2012 $203,739 2 $101,870
2010 $79,965 1 $79,965
2008 $460,181 2 $230,091
2006 $28,162 1 $28,162
2004 $83,553 1 $83,553
2002 $20,051 3 $6,684
Total $1,512,739 21 $72,035


See also

External links

Footnotes

  1. Legislative Reference Bureau, "Hawaii Constitution, Article III, Section 4," accessed November 1, 2021
  2. LRB Legislative Reference Bureau, "The Constitution of the State of Hawaii," accessed May 21, 2025
  3. National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
  4. 4.0 4.1 Hawaii Legislature, "Hawaii Revised Statutes," accessed May 22, 2014 (Statute 17-3(a) (1)-(2))
  5. Hawaii Legislature, "Hawaii Revised Statutes," accessed May 22, 2014 (Statute 17-4(a)-(b))
  6. State of Hawaii, "Regular Meeting of the Reapportionment Commission - January 28, 2022," accessed February 4, 2022
  7. Patch.com, "The Plan To Redraw Hawaii's Political Lines Goes Out For Public Comment," Oct. 29, 2021
  8. Honolulu Civil Beat, "The Big Island Is Set To Gain A House Seat As Reapportionment Restarts," Jan. 6, 2021
  9. Office of Elections, "Reapportionment Commission," accessed Oct. 20, 2021
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 All About Redistricting, "Hawaii," accessed April 29, 2015
  11. State of Hawaii, "General Election 2016 - State of Hawaii – Statewide November 8, 2016," accessed November 23, 2016
  12. State of Hawaii, "2016 Candidate Report," accessed June 10, 2016
  13. Hawaii.gov, "Primary Election results," accessed September 12, 2016
  14. Hawaii Secretary of State, "Official primary candidate list," accessed June 6, 2014
  15. Hawaii Secretary of State, "Official primary election results," accessed August 25, 2014
  16. Hawaii Secretary of State, "Official general election results," accessed November 12, 2014
  17. Hawaii Secretary of State, "Official 2012 Primary Results," accessed November 20, 2012
  18. State of Hawaii Office of Elections, “Hawaii General 2012 - State of Hawaii – Statewide,” accessed November 20, 2012


Current members of the Hawaii State Senate
Leadership
Senate President:Ronald Kouchi
Majority Leader:Dru Kanuha
Minority Leader:Brenton Awa
Senators
District 1
District 2
District 3
District 4
District 5
District 6
District 7
District 8
District 9
District 10
Les Ihara (D)
District 11
District 12
District 13
District 14
Donna Kim (D)
District 15
District 16
District 17
District 18
District 19
District 20
District 21
District 22
District 23
District 24
District 25
Chris Lee (D)
Democratic Party (22)
Republican Party (3)