HONOLULU — New campaign finance disclosures filed this week show sharp disparities in fundraising among candidates for Hawaii’s top offices, underscoring the advantages enjoyed by incumbents and the resource challenges facing some challengers as the Aug. 8 primary approaches.
Gov. Josh Green has amassed roughly $3.5 million since his 2022 election and still reports about $2 million in cash on hand, according to the filings analyzed by political observers. By contrast, the most viable Republican contender, Gary Cordery, reported having raised just over $300,000 — funds he has largely spent and now shows approximately $14,000 in debt.
What the numbers mean for the races
Fundraising gaps of this size matter in Hawaii, a state where Democrats typically dominate statewide offices and where spending on media and outreach can define the reach of a campaign in the compressed period between the primary and the general election. With limited resources, a challenger may struggle to buy the kind of advertising and ground operations that could improve name recognition beyond core supporters.
Hawaii political analyst Colin Moore emphasized the practical impact that cash shortfalls can have on a campaign’s ability to compete in the general election.
"He won’t have much to spend where it really counts in the general," Moore said in his review of the filings.
The filings also highlight competitive dynamics in other statewide and county contests.
- Lieutenant governor race: Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami leads with about $578,000 raised and $128,000 in cash on hand. Rep. Della Belatti and attorney John Choi trail in reported donations.
- Republican side for LG: Hawaiian cultural practitioner Daniel Anthony is identified as the strongest fundraiser among the GOP entrants, though specific totals were not included in the summary.
- Maui mayoral contest: Incumbent Richard Bissen reported raising $292,000, while challenger Yuki Lei Sugimura has raised more than $40,000 beyond that and holds a cash-on-hand advantage.
Fundraising snapshot
| Race | Top fundraiser | Raised (reported) | Cash on hand / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Governor | Josh Green (D) | $3.5 million | ~$2 million cash on hand |
| Governor | Gary Cordery (R) | Just over $300,000 | Reportedly spent most; ~$14,000 debt |
| Lieutenant governor | Derek Kawakami (D) | $578,000 | $128,000 cash on hand |
| Maui mayor | Richard Bissen (Incumbent) | $292,000 | Challenger Sugimura has raised >$40,000 more and holds cash advantage |
Campaign fundraising is only one factor in an election, but in Hawaii’s small media markets and geographically dispersed islands, cash determines how broadly a campaign can communicate with voters. For incumbents and well-funded candidates, steady fundraising translates to sustained messaging and outreach. For underfunded opponents, the window to change voter perceptions narrows quickly as the primary approaches.
With weeks to go before primary ballots are finalized, candidates and their strategists will be watching subsequent filings closely to gauge whether late donations or endorsements shift the financial balance.
— Leilani Akana, News Block
