Hawaii’s $2.8 million ballot fight over housing bonds: what voters are deciding
8 million on advertising, according to Hawaii News Now and Hawaiʻi Public Radio. The measure, if passed, would let counties like Honolulu fund sewer and water projects through "RISE bonds" paid by new developments.
A state constitutional amendment allowing counties to issue $17 property tax increases per voter for housing infrastructure is backed by a political action committee that spent $2.8 million on advertising, according to Hawaii News Now and Hawaiʻi Public Radio. The measure, if passed, would let counties like Honolulu fund sewer and water projects through "RISE bonds" paid by new developments.
Key numbers
| Stat | Figure | Date | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advertising spend on RISE bonds amendment | $2.8 million | 2026 | Hawaiʻi Public Radio |
| PAC spending to oppose Kauai Mayor Richard Bissen | $11,000 | 2026 | Hawaiʻi Public Radio |
| PAC spending to support Maui Mayor challenger Yuki Lei Sugimura | $120,000 | 2026 | Hawaiʻi Public Radio |
| PAC spending to support Bissen in primary and general elections | $63,000 | 2026 | Hawaiʻi Public Radio |
| Per-voter cost for Maui’s mayoral race ads | $17 | 2026 | Hawaiʻi Public Radio |
What happened on Election Day in Hawaii?
Voters across Hawaii cast ballots in person or via drop boxes on November 4, 2026, with drop boxes closing at 7 p.m. and in-person lines extending until that cutoff time. As of Monday, November 3, 2026, 249,140 votes had been returned statewide, with Oahu accounting for 160,137 ballots, according to state election data. Voters faced a lengthy ballot, with some spending up to 45 minutes in the voting booth due to registration requirements and the number of races.Who is affected by the ballot measures?
The state constitutional amendment on housing bonds directly impacts property owners in designated development districts, who would see a $17 increase in property taxes per voter to fund infrastructure like sewer and water systems. Counties like Honolulu and Maui are also deciding on local charter amendments, including ranked-choice voting for mayoral and council races beginning in 2032. Voters in Kauai and Maui are electing new mayors, while Honolulu voters are choosing City Council representatives.What are the key numbers behind the campaigns?
The RISE Together Hawaiʻi PAC spent $2.8 million on advertising to support the housing bonds amendment, backed by unions, developers, and real estate agents. In contrast, the For A Better Tomorrow PAC poured $2 million into Maui’s mayoral race, spending $11,000 to oppose incumbent Richard Bissen and $120,000 to support challenger Yuki Lei Sugimura. Smaller union-backed PACs spent $63,000 to support Bissen’s campaign.What do voters need to do next?
Voters who cast ballots in person on Election Day have already completed their participation. Those who used mail-in ballots must ensure they were received by county election officials by 7 p.m. on November 4, 2026. Results are expected shortly after the last voter in line casts their ballot, with the first printout of statewide results arriving shortly thereafter.What do we know—and don’t know—about the election?
We know that mail-in ballots were down 27% compared to the 2022 midterm election, while drop-box ballots were up 32% and early in-person voting was up 13%. However, we don’t yet have final vote counts or the outcome of the constitutional amendments or local races. The first official results will confirm whether Democrats retain control of Hawaii’s congressional seats and state legislature.Timeline of key election dates
- November 3, 2026: Mail-in ballots were down 27% compared to the same point in the 2022 midterm election, while drop-box ballots were up 32% and early in-person voting was up 13%.
- November 4, 2026, 7:00 p.m.: Deadline for in-person voting and drop-box submissions; last voter in line allowed to cast ballot.
- November 4, 2026, after 7 p.m.: First printout of statewide election results expected.
Why does this election matter?
The outcome of the housing bonds amendment could accelerate development in Hawaii, addressing the state’s long-standing housing shortage. Control of Hawaii’s congressional delegation and state legislature will shape federal and state policies on housing, infrastructure, and economic priorities. Additionally, local races like the mayoral contests in Maui and Kauai will determine leadership in counties facing unique challenges, such as recovery from natural disasters.Frequently asked questions
What is the RISE bonds amendment?
The amendment allows counties to issue bonds (RISE bonds) to fund infrastructure like sewer and water systems in new development districts. The bonds would be repaid through higher property tax revenue generated by those developments. Supporters argue it will boost housing construction, while critics warn of increased property taxes.
How much will property taxes increase under the RISE bonds amendment?
If passed, the amendment would authorize a $17 increase in property taxes per voter to fund infrastructure projects in designated development areas.
Who are the major candidates in Hawaii’s congressional races?
U.S. Rep. Josh Green (D) is running for re-election as governor with Lieutenant Governor Derek Kawakami, while Republican Gary Cordery challenges them. In congressional races, U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda (D) faces a long-shot challenge from Republican state Sen. Brenton Awa, while U.S. Rep. Ed Case (D) is unopposed for re-election.
What is ranked-choice voting, and when will it be implemented in Hawaii?
Ranked-choice voting is an electoral system where voters rank candidates in order of preference. If no candidate receives a majority of first-choice votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their votes are redistributed until one candidate has a majority. Honolulu voters will begin using ranked-choice voting for mayoral, city council, and prosecuting attorney races starting in 2032 if the amendment passes.
How can I verify my vote was counted?
Voters who cast ballots in person can confirm their vote was counted by checking the first printout of statewide results, expected shortly after 7 p.m. on Election Day. Mail-in voters should ensure their ballots were received by county election officials by the 7 p.m. deadline. Official results will be posted on the Hawaii Elections website.
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