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Hawaii State Senate District 8
Hawaii State Senate District 8 is represented by Ronald Kouchi (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
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] | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $74,160/year | $225/day; only for legislators who do not reside on Oahu. |
Vacancies
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]
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
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 8
until November 7, 2022
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Hawaii State Senate District 8
starting November 8, 2022
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Elections
2022
- See also: Hawaii State Senate elections, 2022
General election
General election for Hawaii State Senate District 8
Incumbent Ronald Kouchi defeated Ana Mo Des and Kapana Thronas-Kaho'Onei in the general election for Hawaii State Senate District 8 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Ronald Kouchi (D) | 71.4 | 16,234 |
| Ana Mo Des (R) | 23.2 | 5,266 | ||
| Kapana Thronas-Kaho'Onei (Aloha Aina Party) | 5.4 | 1,235 | ||
| Total votes: 22,735 | |||
 = 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. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Hawaii State Senate District 8
Incumbent Ronald Kouchi advanced from the Democratic primary for Hawaii State Senate District 8 on August 13, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Ronald Kouchi | 100.0 | 10,466 |
| Total votes: 10,466 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Hawaii State Senate District 8
Ana Mo Des advanced from the Republican primary for Hawaii State Senate District 8 on August 13, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Ana Mo Des | 100.0 | 2,159 | |
| Total votes: 2,159 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Aloha Aina Party primary election
Aloha Aina Party primary for Hawaii State Senate District 8
Kapana Thronas-Kaho'Onei advanced from the Aloha Aina Party primary for Hawaii State Senate District 8 on August 13, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Kapana Thronas-Kaho'Onei | 100.0 | 115 | |
| Total votes: 115 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2020
- See also: Hawaii State Senate elections, 2020
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Hawaii State Senate District 8
Incumbent Ronald Kouchi won election outright in the Democratic primary for Hawaii State Senate District 8 on August 8, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Ronald Kouchi | 100.0 | 12,900 |
| Total votes: 12,900 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
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 Ronald Kouchi ran unopposed in the Hawaii State Senate District 8 general election.[11]
| Hawaii State Senate, District 8 General Election, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic |  Ronald Kouchi Incumbent (unopposed) | |
| Source: State of Hawaii - Office of Elections | ||
Incumbent Ronald Kouchi defeated Kanoe Ahuna in the Hawaii State Senate District 8 Democratic primary.[12][13]
| Hawaii State Senate, District 8 Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Ronald Kouchi Incumbent |
63.51% | 7,817 | |
| Democratic | Kanoe Ahuna | 36.49% | 4,492 | |
| Total Votes | 12,309 | |||
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 Ronald Kouchi (D) defeated William Georgi (R) in the general election. Neither candidate faced opposition in their primary.[14][15]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Ronald Kouchi Incumbent |
77.7% | 17,887 | |
| Republican | William Georgi | 22.3% | 5,138 | |
| Total Votes | 23,025 | |||
Campaign contributions
From 2000 to 2022, candidates for Hawaii State Senate District 8 raised a total of $1,047,624. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $58,201 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money
| Campaign contributions, Hawaii State Senate District 8 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Amount | Candidates | Average |
| 2022 | $149,449 | 3 | $49,816 |
| 2020 | $349,435 | 1 | $349,435 |
| 2016 | $333,611 | 2 | $166,806 |
| 2012 | $135,041 | 2 | $67,521 |
| 2010 | $47,248 | 2 | $23,624 |
| 2008 | $2,225 | 1 | $2,225 |
| 2006 | $10,739 | 1 | $10,739 |
| 2004 | $1,542 | 1 | $1,542 |
| 2002 | $11,237 | 2 | $5,619 |
| 2000 | $7,097 | 3 | $2,366 |
| Total | $1,047,624 | 18 | $58,201 |
See also
- Hawaii State Legislature
- Hawaii State Senate
- Hawaii House of Representatives
- Hawaii state legislative districts
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Legislative Reference Bureau, "Hawaii Constitution, Article III, Section 4," accessed November 1, 2021
- ↑ LRB Legislative Reference Bureau, "The Constitution of the State of Hawaii," accessed May 21, 2025
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Hawaii Legislature, "Hawaii Revised Statutes," accessed May 22, 2014 (Statute 17-3(a) (1)-(2))
- ↑ Hawaii Legislature, "Hawaii Revised Statutes," accessed May 22, 2014 (Statute 17-4(a)-(b))
- ↑ State of Hawaii, "Regular Meeting of the Reapportionment Commission - January 28, 2022," accessed February 4, 2022
- ↑ Patch.com, "The Plan To Redraw Hawaii's Political Lines Goes Out For Public Comment," Oct. 29, 2021
- ↑ Honolulu Civil Beat, "The Big Island Is Set To Gain A House Seat As Reapportionment Restarts," Jan. 6, 2021
- ↑ Office of Elections, "Reapportionment Commission," accessed Oct. 20, 2021
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 All About Redistricting, "Hawaii," accessed April 29, 2015
- ↑ State of Hawaii, "General Election 2016 - State of Hawaii – Statewide November 8, 2016," accessed November 23, 2016
- ↑ State of Hawaii, "2016 Candidate Report," accessed June 10, 2016
- ↑ Hawaii.gov, "Primary Election results," accessed September 12, 2016
- ↑ Hawaii Secretary of State, "Official 2012 Primary Results," accessed November 20, 2012
- ↑ State of Hawaii Office of Elections, “Hawaii General 2012 - State of Hawaii – Statewide,” accessed November 20, 2012
