As Hawaiʻi prepares for the 2026 General Election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly (UHPA) is proud to announce our final slate of endorsed candidates. Decisions made at the State Capitol and in Washington, D.C., directly impact our funding, working conditions, research capacity, and collective bargaining rights. From defending against legislative proposals that threaten funding and faculty rights locally, to protecting research and institutional autonomy from unprecedented federal mandates, faculty play a key role in critical policy battles.
When we step away from the political process, we allow others to decide the future of our campuses and profession. Voting, actively endorsing candidates, and building strong, constructive relationships with lawmakers are our most powerful lines of defense. By staying engaged and backing leaders who understand the value of higher education, we ensure faculty have a seat at the table when critical decisions are made. Following thorough evaluations by UHPA’s Political Endorsement Committee, the UHPA Board of Directors has approved our support for leaders who have committed to protecting UH’s constitutional autonomy, securing stable foundational funding, defending academic freedom, and protecting union advocacy rights.
Newly Endorsed Candidates for the General Election
Statewide & Federal Endorsements
Democratic Ticket for Governor and Lieutenant Governor: Governor Josh Green & Mayor Derek Kawakami
UHPA’s early endorsement of Governor Josh Green automatically extends to Lieutenant Governor nominee Derek Kawakami for the joint Democratic ticket. Mayor Kawakami brings extensive executive, legislative, and private-sector experience, alongside a proven track record of state-county collaboration. Together, the Green-Kawakami ticket represents a collaborative partnership committed to respecting UH’s constitutional autonomy, advancing workforce housing, expanding teacher pipeline programs, and maintaining stable funding for higher education.
Congressman Ed Case (U.S. House — Congressional District 1)
Congressman Case holds a 100% voting scorecard with AFT across consecutive Congresses, consistently voting to defend federal student aid, expand Pell Grants, protect the U.S. Department of Education, and support the PRO Act and WEP/GPO repeal. As a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee (Defense and Homeland Security Subcommittees), his seniority is essential to securing extramural research grants, earmarks, and federal resources for UH amidst volatile federal budget environments. Furthermore, while Congressman Case initially supported an earlier draft of the SAVE Act, he demonstrated direct responsiveness to AFT and UHPA leadership by voting NO on the expanded SAVE America Act (H.R. 7296) and opposing federal voter suppression requirements.
State Senate Endorsement
Senator Danielle Bass (SD 18: Mililani, Waipio Gentry, Crestview, Waikele, Royal Kunia)
Appointed to the Senate in August 2026, Senator Bass brings 21 years of state executive branch service (including 9 years as State Sustainability Coordinator) and deep family ties to the UH community as a two-time UH Manoa graduate and daughter of community college educators. She unconditionally supports UH’s constitutional autonomy, opposes tuition special fund sweeps, prioritizes competitive public-sector compensation packages to retain local talent, and firmly pledges to protect union advocacy rights.
State House Endorsement
Representative Julie Reyes Oda (HD 40: Makakilo, Kapolei, Kalaeloa)
A two-term incumbent and former public school teacher with over 20 years of classroom experience, Representative Reyes Oda serves on the House Labor, Finance, and Culture & Arts Committees. She views public employees as vital long-term investments, respects the distinct missions of UH’s 10 campuses, opposes “one-size-fits-all” metrics, fiercely defends academic freedom against political interference, and is committed to protecting union advocacy rights.
Full Slate of UHPA Endorsed Candidates
These General Election additions complement our full slate of previously endorsed candidates and incumbent champions who won their primary races:
- U.S. Congress: Congressman Ed Case (CD 1), Congresswoman Jill Tokuda (CD 2)
- State Executive: Governor Josh Green & Mayor Derek Kawakami (Democratic Ticket)
- State Senate: Jackson Sayama (SD 10), Carol Fukunaga (SD 11), Tricia Nakamatsu (SD 13), Danielle Bass (SD 18), Rachele Lamosao (SD 19)
- State House: Chris Todd (HD 3), Jeanne Kapela (HD 5), Kirstin Kahaloa (HD 6), Tyson Miyake (HD 10), Kyle Yamashita (HD 12), Sne Patel (HD 14), James “Jamie” Wataru (HD 18), Tina Grandinetti (HD 20), Andrew Garrett (HD 22), Adrian Tam (HD 24), Kim Coco Iwamoto (HD 25), Jenna Takenouchi (HD 27), Trish La Chica (HD 37), Corey Rosenlee (HD 39), Julie Reyes Oda (HD 40), David Alcos (HD 41), Darius Kila (HD 44), Amy Perruso (HD 46), Scot Matayoshi (HD 49), Mike Lee (HD 50)
Take Action: General Election Voting & Registration
Hawaiʻi elections are conducted primarily by mail. To ensure your vote is counted in the General Election, please verify or update your voter registration, and note the following important dates:
- October 16, 2026: Registered voters begin receiving General Election mail ballot packets.
- October 20 – November 3, 2026: Voter Service Centers open across all counties for accessible in-person voting, replacement ballots, and same-day voter registration.
- October 26, 2026 (4:30 PM): Deadline to register or update registration using a paper Voter Registration Application. (Online registration remains open continuously).
- General Election Day — Tuesday, November 3, 2026: All mail-in ballots must be received by your County Elections Division or deposited at a drop box by 7:00 PM.
For More Information, and to Register, Check, or Update Your Voter Status: https://elections.hawaii.gov/
Upcoming Event: Honolulu City Charter Amendments Session (October 9)
Make an informed vote on county ballot measures! UHPA and the League of Women Voters (LWV) are co-hosting a virtual informational session on the 20 proposed amendments to the Honolulu City Charter appearing on Oahu ballots this General Election. This session will cover key topics impacting our community and faculty, including expanding eligibility for permanent resident faculty to serve on City boards, establishing citywide data governance and ethical AI guidelines, and expanding grant funding for food security, climate resiliency, and cultural stewardship partnerships.
- Date: Friday, October 9, 2026
- Time: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
- Location: Virtual via Zoom
- Registration: Click here to register