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Hawaii state legislative districts
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List of state legislative districts |
There are 76 seats in the Hawaii State Legislature. All 51 seats of the Hawaii House of Representatives are up for election every two years along with half of the seats of the Hawaii State Senate. All 25 state senators are up for re-election following redistricting.
Chambers
Click the following tabs for more information about each chamber:
Senate
The Hawaii State Senate is the upper chamber of the Hawaii State Legislature. There are twenty-five members from various electoral districts.
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.
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."[1]
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.[2][3]
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.[2]
See sources: Hawaii Const. Art. 3, Sec. 5, Hawaii Rev. Stat., §17-3, and Hawaii Rev. Stat. § 17-4
Salaries
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
| State legislative salaries, 2024[4] | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $74,160/year | $225/day; only for legislators who do not reside on Oahu. |
Districts
These are links to every district in the Hawaii State Senate.
House
The Hawaii House of Representatives is the lower house of the Hawaii State Legislature. The House consists of 51 members representing an equal amount of districts across the islands.
As of the 2020 Census, Hawaii state representatives represented an average of 28,630 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 26,801 residents.
Qualifications
From Article III, Section 6 of the Hawaii Constitution: "No person shall be eligible to serve as a member of the house of representatives 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 representative 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 representative may move to a new district without being disqualified from completing the remainder of the incumbent representative’s term."[5]
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.[2][6]
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.[2]
See sources: Hawaii Const. Art. 3, Sec. 5, Hawaii Rev. Stat., §17-3, and Hawaii Rev. Stat. § 17-4
Salaries
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
| State legislative salaries, 2024[7] | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $74,160/year | $225/day; only for legislators who do not reside on Oahu. |
Districts
These are links to every district in the Hawaii House of Representatives.
Redistricting
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.[8]
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."[8]
State law permits state legislative districts to be multimember, but a maximum of four representatives can be elected from a single district.[8]
The Hawaii Reapportionment Commission approved new legislative district maps on January 28, 2022.[9] 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.[10] 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.[11][12] This map took effect for Hawaii's 2022 state legislative elections.
Senate elections
Hawaii state senators serve 2-4-4 terms, where senators serve one two-year term and two four-year terms each decade. Hawaii holds elections for its legislature in even years.
2026
- See also: Hawaii State Senate elections, 2026
Elections for the Hawaii State Senate will take place in 2026. The general election is on November 3, 2026.
2024
- See also: Hawaii State Senate elections, 2024
Elections for the Hawaii State Senate took place in 2024. The general election was on November 5, 2024. The primary was August 10, 2024. The filing deadline was June 4, 2024.
In the 2024 elections, the Democratic majority in the Hawaii State Senate decreased from 23-2 to 22-3.
| Hawaii State Senate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 5, 2024 | After November 6, 2024 | |
| Democratic Party | 23 | 22 | |
| Republican Party | 2 | 3 | |
| Total | 25 | 25 | |
2022
- See also: Hawaii State Senate elections, 2022
Elections for the Hawaii State Senate took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for August 13, 2022. The filing deadline was June 7, 2022.
In the 2022 elections, the Democratic majority in the Hawaii State Senate was reduced from 24-1 to 23-2.
| Hawaii State Senate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 8, 2022 | After November 9, 2022 | |
| Democratic Party | 24 | 23 | |
| Republican Party | 1 | 2 | |
| Total | 25 | 25 | |
2020
- See also: Hawaii State Senate elections, 2020
Elections for the office of Hawaii State Senate took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for August 8, 2020. The filing deadline was June 2, 2020.
In the 2020 elections, Democrats maintained their 24-1 majority in the Hawaii State Senate.
| Hawaii State Senate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 3, 2020 | After November 4, 2020 | |
| Democratic Party | 24 | 24 | |
| Republican Party | 1 | 1 | |
| Total | 25 | 25 | |
2018
- See also: Hawaii State Senate elections, 2018
Elections for the Hawaii State Senate took place in 2018. An open primary election took place on August 11, 2018, and the general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was June 5, 2018.[13]
In the 2018 elections, the Democratic majority in the Hawaii State Senate was reduced from 25-0 to 24-1.
| Hawaii State Senate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 6, 2018 | After November 7, 2018 | |
| Democratic Party | 25 | 24 | |
| Republican Party | 0 | 1 | |
| Total | 25 | 25 | |
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. A total of 14 seats out of the 25 seats in the Hawaii State Senate were up for election in 2016.
Heading into the election, Democrats held a 24-1 majority. Democrats ousted the lone Republican incumbent, resulting in a chamber represented entirely by Democrats.
| Hawaii State Senate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 7, 2016 | After November 8, 2016 | |
| Democratic Party | 24 | 25 | |
| Republican Party | 1 | 0 | |
| Total | 25 | 25 | |
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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. Heading into the election, Democrats held a 24-1 majority. No partisan change occurred in the election.
2012
Elections for the office of Hawaii State Senate took place in 2012. The primary election was held on August 11, 2012, and the general election was held on November 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was June 5, 2012. A total of 25 seats were up for election. Heading into the election, Democrats held a 24-1 majority. No partisan change occurred in the election.
The table below details the 10 districts with the smallest margin of victory in the November 6 general election in 2012.
2010
Elections for the office of Hawaii State Senate took place in 2010. The primary election was held on September 18, 2010, and the general election was held on November 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was July 20, 2010. Heading into the election, Democrats held a 23-2 majority. Democrats gained one seat in the election, giving them a 24-1 majority.
Campaign contributionsThis chart shows how many candidates ran for state senate in Hawaii in past years and the cumulative amount of campaign contributions in state senate races, including contributions in both primary and general election contests. All figures come from Follow The Money.[14]
In 2010, the total amount of contributions raised in state Senate elections was $1,586,733. The top 10 donors were:[15]
2008
Elections for the office of Hawaii State Senate consisted of a primary election on September 20, 2008, and a general election on November 4, 2008. During the 2008 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $2,323,064. The top 10 contributors were:[16]
2006
Elections for the office of Hawaii State Senate consisted of a primary election on September 23, 2006, and a general election on November 7, 2006. During the 2006 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $1,544,932. The top 10 contributors were:[17]
2004
Elections for the office of Hawaii State Senate consisted of a primary election on September 21, 2004, and a general election on November 5, 2004. During the 2004 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $1,937,353. The top 10 contributors were:[18]
2002
Elections for the office of Hawaii State Senate consisted of a primary election on September 23, 2002, and a general election on November 7, 2002. During the 2002 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $1,635,442. The top 10 contributors were:[19]
2000
Elections for the office of Hawaii State Senate consisted of a primary election on September 20, 2000, and a general election on November 4, 2000. During the 2000 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $566,764. The top 10 contributors were:[20]
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House elections
Hawaii state representatives serve two-year terms, with all seats up for election every two years. Hawaii holds elections for its legislature in even years.
2026
Elections for the Hawaii House of Representatives will take place in 2026. The general election is on November 3, 2026.
2024
Elections for the Hawaii House of Representatives took place in 2024. The general election was on November 5, 2024. The primary was August 10, 2024. The filing deadline was June 4, 2024.
In the 2024 elections, the Democratic majority in the Hawaii House of Representatives decreased from 45-6 to 41-9, with one vacant seat.
| Hawaii House of Representatives | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 5, 2024 | After November 6, 2024 | |
| Democratic Party | 45 | 42 | |
| Republican Party | 6 | 9 | |
| Total | 51 | 51 | |
2022
Elections for the Hawaii House of Representatives took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for August 13, 2022. The filing deadline was June 7, 2022.
In the 2022 elections, the Democratic majority in the state House was reduced from 47-4 to 45-6.
| Hawaii House of Representatives | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 8, 2022 | After November 9, 2022 | |
| Democratic Party | 47 | 45 | |
| Republican Party | 4 | 6 | |
| Total | 51 | 51 | |
2020
Elections for the office of Hawaii House of Representatives took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for August 8, 2020. The filing deadline was June 2, 2020.
In the 2020 elections, Democrats increased their majority in the Hawaii House of Representatives from 46-5 to 47-4.
| Hawaii House of Representatives | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 3, 2020 | After November 4, 2020 | |
| Democratic Party | 46 | 47 | |
| Republican Party | 5 | 4 | |
| Total | 51 | 51 | |
2018
Elections for the Hawaii House of Representatives took place in 2018. An open primary election took place on August 11, 2018. The general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was June 5, 2018.[21]
In the 2018 elections, there was no change in the partisan balance of the Hawaii House of Representatives.
| Hawaii House of Representatives | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 6, 2018 | After November 7, 2018 | |
| Democratic Party | 46 | 46 | |
| Republican Party | 5 | 5 | |
| Total | 51 | 51 | |
2016
Elections for the Hawaii House of Representatives 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. All 51 seats in the Hawaii House of Representatives were up for election in 2016.
Heading into the election, Democrats held a 44-7 majority. Democrats gained one seat in the election, giving them a 45-6 majority.
| Hawaii House of Representatives | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 7, 2016 | After November 8, 2016 | |
| Democratic Party | 44 | 45 | |
| Republican Party | 7 | 6 | |
| Total | 51 | 51 | |
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2014Elections for the Hawaii House of Representatives 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. All 51 House seats were up for election in 2014. Heading into the election, Democrats held a 44-7 majority. Democrats lost one seat in the election, giving them a 43-8 majority.
2012Elections for the office of Hawaii House of Representatives took place in 2012. The primary election was held on August 11, 2012, and the general election was held on November 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was July 12, 2012. All 51 House seats were up for election in 2012. Heading into the election, Democrats held a 42-8 majority with one vacancy. Democrats gained two seats in the election, giving them a 44-7 majority.
The table below details the 10 districts with the smallest margin of victory in the November 6 general election in 2012.
2010Elections for the office of Hawaii House of Representatives took place in 2010. The primary election was held on September 18, 2010, and the general election was held on November 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was July 20, 2010. All 51 House seats were up for election in 2010. Heading into the election, Democrats held a 45-6 majority. Democrats lost two seats in the election, giving them a 43-8 majority.
2008Elections for the office of Hawaii House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on September 20, 2008, and a general election on November 4, 2008. All 51 House seats were up for election in 2008. During the 2008 election, the total value of contributions to House candidates was $3,138,933. The top 10 contributors were:[23]
2006Elections for the office of Hawaii House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on September 23, 2006, and a general election on November 7, 2006. All 51 House seats were up for election in 2006. During the 2006 election, the total value of contributions to House candidates was $3,307,255. The top 10 contributors were:[24]
2004Elections for the office of Hawaii House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on September 18, 2004, and a general election on November 2, 2004. All 51 House seats were up for election in 2004. During the 2004 election, the total value of contributions to House candidates was $3,772,936. The top 10 contributors were:[25]
2002Elections for the office of Hawaii House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on September 21, 2002, and a general election on November 5, 2002. All 51 House seats were up for election in 2002. During the 2002 election, the total value of contributions to House candidates was $1,361,287. The top 10 contributors were:[26]
2000Elections for the office of Hawaii House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on September 23, 2000, and a general election on November 7, 2000. All 51 House seats were up for election in 2000. During the 2000 election, the total value of contributions to House candidates was $1,960,173. The top 10 contributors were:[27]
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District maps
State Senate
State House
See also
- State legislature
- Hawaii State Legislature
- Hawaii State Senate
- Hawaii House of Representatives
- List of Hawaii state legislative elections
Footnotes
- ↑ LRB Legislative Reference Bureau, "The Constitution of the State of Hawaii," accessed May 21, 2025
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 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))
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
- ↑ LRB Legislative Reference Bureau, "The Constitution of the State of Hawaii," accessed May 21, 2025
- ↑ Hawaii Legislature, "Hawaii Revised Statutes," accessed May 22, 2014 (Statute 17-4(a)-(b))
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 All About Redistricting, "Hawaii," accessed April 29, 2015
- ↑ 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
- ↑ Hawaii Office of Elections, "Calendar," accessed August 2, 2017
- ↑ Follow the Money, Hawaii
- ↑ Follow the Money: "Hawaii Senate 2010 Campaign Contributions"
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Hawaii 2008 Candidates," accessed July 17, 2013
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Hawaii 2006 Candidates," accessed July 17, 2013
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Hawaii 2004 Candidates," accessed July 17, 2013
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Hawaii 2002 Candidates," accessed July 17, 2013
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Hawaii 2000 Candidates," accessed July 17, 2013
- ↑ Hawaii Office of Elections, "Calendar," accessed August 2, 2017
- ↑ Follow the Money: "Hawaii House 2010 Campaign Contributions"
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Hawaii 2008 Candidates," accessed July 17, 2013
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Hawaii 2006 Candidates," accessed July 17, 2013
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Hawaii 2004 Candidates," accessed July 17, 2013
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Hawaii 2002 Candidates," accessed July 17, 2013
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Hawaii 2000 Candidates," accessed July 17, 2013
