HI State Representative Primary Reflection

Kim Coco Iwamoto has won, leading by 202 votes (Hawaiʻi New Now).
Gary Hooser

She took on, and is taking out - the most powerful establishment figure in the Hawaiʻi House of Representatives, Speaker of the House Scott Saiki. He’s been there for 30 years, is backed by the most powerful men in Hawaiʻi politics -and Kim Coco Iwamoto is backed by an organized, committed, grassroots team from all walks of life.

We are all winning, and everyone of us who showed up to vote, who sent an email or text encouraging our friends to vote - we all played a role in this huge win.

And it doesn’t stop there. #winning

Another totally awesome “change-maker” candidate for the House, Ikaika Lardizabal Hussey has won his race by a landslide. A third “change-maker” candidate, Tina Grandinetti also chalked up a huge win for the House of Representatives.

To be absolutely clear - these three individuals each possess the maturity, experience, and deeply embedded values that make them incredibly valuable additions to the House of Representatives - joining the forward-thinking and willing to speak truth-to-power Representatives Amy Perruso and Jeanné Kapela who both also won big in their primary races.

Having these 5 strong voices backing each other up and joined by still other progressive, aloha aina, people and the planet come first Representatives like Mahina Poepoe, Terez Amato, Elle Cochran, Della Au Belatti, Corey Rosenlee, Desiré DeSoto, and other friends and House allies…is going to be a game-changer, regardless of who the next speaker is.

With a few heart-breaking exceptions, it was a incredibly good night for people and the planet.

I’m very sad we lost Representative Natalia Hussey-Burdick who fell short of the votes needed to continue serving us in the House. She’s an exceptionally bright, strong, and resilient member of our extended ohana whose presence on the floor of the House will be missed. The silver lining is she’s now free to help lead the movement for change in other ways.

Former Senator Laura Acasio is another friend and true change-maker who was unable to cross the finish line in first place last night. She also is, I am sure, more committed than ever to continue fighting hard for her community, and for all of us.

Mahalo Senator Acasio and Representative Hussey-Burdick for all you do, have done, and will continue doing for our collective community.

There are others, Tanya Yamanaka Aynessazian, Sonny Ganaden, Ian Ross, Summer-Lee Yadao, KANAHELE, Kiana (Keawekane) and others, who ran hard these past few months, who are friends and allies, and who also did not garner the votes needed to move forward. To each of you I say mahalo, mahalo plenty for putting your life on hold, for working so hard day after day out in the streets, campaigning to serve the rest of us. Please look at 2026 and let the rest of us know how we can help.

So yes, let’s celebrate our wins, learn from our losses - rest for a day or two and then get back to work making our community and our world a better place.

Sincerely,
Gary Hooser