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2026 General Election Endorsements: 4 First time candidates, Zero Corporate Cash.

Four races on Oʻahu, Maui, and Hawaiʻi Island — decided Nov. 3

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Our Hawaiʻi PAC's 2026 general election endorsements: Uncle Bobby Pahia for Maui County Council, Upcountry; Kalehua Kaopua for House District 45; Paʻele Kiakona for House District 14; and Shannon Matson for Hawaiʻi County Council, District 5. The four candidates stand smiling in lei beside a "For Kamaʻāina. For Kānaka. Not For Sale.
Our Hawaiʻi PAC endorses Uncle Bobby Pahia for Maui County Council, Upcountry (Pukalani, Kula, ʻUlupalakua). Kalo farmer and family business owner who has spent decades putting local food on the table, mentoring youth, and building pilina across Maui Nui. He's fighting to keep our water public and our homes local so future generations can continue to call Maui home. Photo: Uncle Bobby smiling in a lei, with kalo leaves in the background.

"I’ve seen how public policy can either strengthen or impede our ability to thrive collectively. Iʻm running to collaborate on solutions that reflect our shared values as residents of Maui County. My goal is generational impact, so our keiki and moʻopuna can continue to make Maui Nui their home."

  • Bobby Pahia, Maui County Council Upcountry candidate

  • (Pukalani, Kula, ʻUlupalakua)

Our Hawaiʻi PAC endorses Kalehua Kaʻōpua for House District 45 (Keawaula, Mākaha, Waiʻanae). She is a Kanaka ʻŌiwi mother of four who has lived through displacement firsthand, and she is fighting so no Waiʻanae family gets pushed out again. She's a champion for permanently affordable housing held in community trust, union jobs, and accessible mental health care. The photo shows Kalehua smiling, with a hibiscus tucked behind her ear.

"When a loʻi is struggling, you don't blame the plant. You clear the water, restore the soil, and care for the roots so life can grow again. Heal the roots. Grow the future of Waiʻanae."

Our Hawaiʻi PAC endorses Pāʻele Kiakona for House District 14 (Lāhainā, Māʻalaea, Waiheʻe, Waiehu). A Kanaka rooted and raised in ʻāina-based ways of living. After the fires, he turned his pain into power, leading Lahaina Strong's fight to turn thousands of vacation rentals back into homes for local families and to return water to the public trust. Now he's running to give his community a voice and a seat at the legislature. Photo: Pāʻele smiling, with long curly hair, wearing lei and a carved pendant.

"Iʻm running as House Representative to continue this path that my ʻohana has paved for me. I am passionate about protecting and preserving what is left of our home, honoring the rich history of this wahi, and finding solutions so that our people continue to remain here. My campaign is focused on three things: opportunity for our communities, living in balance with ʻāina, and accountability in leadership. That means rebuilding Lahaina safely, making sure local families can afford to live here, and protecting the land and water that sustain Maui."

  • Pāʻele Kiakona, House District 14 candidate

  • (Lāhainā, Māʻalaea, Waiheʻe, Waiehu)

Our Hawaiʻi PAC endorses Shannon Matson for Hawaiʻi County Council District 5 in Puna. The district covers 9-1/2 Mile Camp, Keaʻau Ag Lots, ʻĀinaloa, Tiki Gardens, Kurtistown, Orchidland Estates, Hawaiian Acres, Fern Acres, Mountain View, Eden Roc, Fern Forest, Glenwood, and Royal Hawaiian Estates. Shannon is a mother, a small farmer, and the founder of the Hawaiian Acres Resilience Hub. She championed and passed Hawaiʻi Island's clean elections pilot program and has long advocated for public financing. She knows how county government works, and she's ready to make it work for the people of Puna. Photo: Shannon smiling in a fluffy fabric lei.

"I understand state and county government and how they often times struggle to work together. I will leverage that knowledge on day one to encourage them to work better together for all of us, taxpayers, funding these entities. Collaboration and continuing my work with community to address crucial needs are my main goals."

  • Shannon Matson, Hawaiʻi County Council District 5 candidate

  • (9-1/2 Mile Camp, Kea'au AG Lots, 'Āinaloa, Tiki Gardens, Kurtistown, Orchidland Estates, Hawaiian Acres, Fern Acres, Mountain View, Eden Roc, Fern Forest, Glenwood, Royal Hawaiian Estates)

Why these 4 races

39 candidates signed the Our Hawaii Pledge to reject corporate cash and stand with working families instead. We reviewed every one and picked the 4 races where your support can actually tip the result. Every dollar goes straight to candidates who answer to you, not corporate donors, lobbyists, or out-of-state developers.

Here's how to join us:

  • Donate: Your gift is split between Bobby Pahia, Kalehua Kaʻōpua, Pāʻele Kiakona, and Shannon Matson through ActBlue. It's one donation to four campaigns, and none of them take corporate PAC or lobbyist money.

  • Share: send this to anyone you know in their district. Coconut wireless still works.

Four first time candidates who've already shown up for working families are challenging politics as usual.

Uncle Bobby has spent his life growing food and growing farmers, because he knows food security is the bedrock of society. Kalehua mobilized her community to feed and support thousands through back-to-back disasters. Shannon built relationships that allowed her community to stand up resilience hubs overnight when Hurricane Lala hit. Pāʻele went from the frontlines of survival after the Lāhainā fires, into recovery and policy change that delivered thousands of housing units back to all of Hawai‘i and returned the water to public trust.

Now they need us to show up for them the way they're showing up for us.

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Every dollar goes directly to four new candidates who answer to you — not corporate donors, not lobbyists, not out-of-state developers.

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Mail in ballots arrive by October 16. Voter service centers open October 20 - November 3 (excluding Sundays). Election day is November 3.

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