How Our Hawaiʻi identifies and supports champions who will stand with Local People over Big Money — and govern with our movement if elected.
In every election cycle, Our Hawaiʻi works to push all candidates to take The Our Hawaiʻi Pledge — and to get directly involved in a select number of races where we believe our movement can make a real difference electing champions who will govern with us. If you would like to be considered for an endorsement, please review the process below and fill out the survey.
The Endorsement Process
1. Take The Our Hawaiʻi Pledge
The first step for any candidate is publicly committing to and taking The Our Hawaiʻi Pledge — rejecting corporate PAC money, corporate lobbyist money, and special interest donations, and endorsing the Solutions for Our Hawaiʻi platform.
We will promote all Pledge signers to our network and the public throughout the election cycle. The Pledge is both a commitment to your constituents and your entry point into our endorsement process.
2. Candidate Screening Survey
If you would like to be considered for an endorsement take this survey.
The survey gives us a deeper picture of your values, positions, and campaign. Survey responses are a prerequisite for advancing to an interview.
3. Candidate Interview
Candidates who clear the survey are scheduled for a virtual interview with Our Hawaiʻi's Electoral Working Group and local community members. The interview serves three purposes:
- Assess your campaign's viability and plan to win
- Discuss your commitments to the Our Hawaiʻi Pledge and platform
- Introduce you to Our Hawaiʻi's mission and explore what governing together would look like if you win
4. Endorsement Decision
After interviews are complete, Our Hawaiʻi's Electoral Working Group deliberates and decides on our 2026 endorsement slate. We consider a range of factors — from alignment with our values to campaign viability to where our involvement can make the biggest difference.
All candidates are notified of our decision. Endorsed candidates are publicly announced and begin receiving active support from our movement.
The Pledge vs. an Endorsement