REPRESENTATIVE GENE WARD ANNOUNCES HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE HAWAII STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

News Release from Office of Rep. Gene Ward, March 21, 2025

HONOLULU, HI – The following statement has been issued by Representative Gene Ward (R-Hawaii Kai, Kalama Valley, Portlock) announcing his retirement from the Hawaii State House of Representatives.

"As some of you are already aware, over the past few months I have experienced several health setbacks including anemia and sciatica. Recently, I was diagnosed with pneumonia. The recovery from various health issues has been a slow and painful process. Despite the many efforts of medical professionals, my recovery has been much slower and more painful in the last few weeks. In the light of the recent pneumonia diagnosis, I have found myself at a difficult crossroad to decide my future as a member of the Hawaii State Legislature.

Having served the great people of East Honolulu for nearly 27 years, it is with a heavy heart that I have decided to step away from what I have always considered the “People’s House” effective March 31, 2025.

It has been the utmost privilege to serve the people of Hawaii Kai, Kalama Valley, and Portlock. The “People’s Office” will continue to be open for business as the mouthpiece to express community concerns in the Hawaii State Legislature.

Although I will not be asking for your vote again, I only kindly request that my privacy and my family’s privacy is respected."

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Republicans Must Nominate Successor

Editor’s Note: Under HRS 17-4, Hawaii Republicans have 30 days to nominate 3 potential successors to Rep Ward’s seat.  Gov Green then has 30 days to select one of the three.

Political logic dictates that the three must be card-carrying members of the Hawaii Republican Party registered to vote in HD18 who are willing, ready and able to serve in the Legislature and willing, ready, and able to run for reelection in 2026. 

It would be wise for Republicans to act quickly instead of wasting the entire 30 days. That way, if the Governor also acts quickly, HD18 might be able to have a Representative voting in the current session of the Legislature, thus giving the new Rep more of an opportunity to introduce himself to the district. 

This is the first time in many years that Hawaii Republicans have used this procedure.  Nobody on the Party Rules Committee ever noticed that they have no procedure to use for replacing officeholders.  Here is a link to Hawaii Republican Rules. None of them provide a process to select the three nominees: Hawaii-Republican-Party Bylaws-May-2024. The closest is Sec 412, but that pertains only to candidates, not officeholders

Democrats do this all the time, here is their procedure: 2023 Procedures for Filling Midterm Vacancies.pdf - Google Drive. 

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Rep. Gene Ward Announces Retirement

News release from House of Representatives, March 21, 2025

HONOLULU – Rep. Gene Ward today announced his retirement from the Hawaiʻi State House of Representatives due to ongoing health concerns. Ward had been in public service for more than three decades including more than 27 years working for his constituents in District 18.

“It has been the utmost privilege to serve the people of Hawaiʻi Kai, Kalama Valley, and Portlock,” Ward said in a release to his District. “The ‘People’s Office’ will continue to be open for business as the mouthpiece to express community concerns in the Hawaiʻi State Legislature. Although I will not be asking for your vote again, I only kindly request that my privacy and my family’s privacy is respected.”

“The House extends its gratitude to Representative Gene Ward for his dedicated service to the Hawaiʻi State Legislature,” said House Speaker Nadine K. Nakamura. “Throughout his tenure, Gene served as a passionate Representative for his district, and a strong voice for his East Honolulu constituents."

“It was truly an honor to work alongside him,” said House Republican Caucus Leader, Lauren Cheape Matsumoto (District 38: portions of Mililani and Waipio Acres, Mililani Mauka). “We spent more than a decade together here. Gene was always up for the good fight and would go the extra mile for any issue he felt strongly about. Honestly, he’s been such a fixture here that this session hasn’t been the same without him.

“He always said, ‘We don’t have the votes, but we have the voice.’ And he made himself heard almost every single day he was here. We wish him all the best going forward.”

Rep. Ward’s resignation becomes official on March 31, 2025.

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SA: Rep. Gene Ward retiring due to health reasons after 27 years | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

SA: Hawaii Rep Gene Ward-retiring-due-to-health-reasons

HNN: State Rep. Gene Ward announces retirement due to health setbacks

NR: Governor Josh Green, M.D. | Office of the Governor – Statement – Governor Green Thanks Rep. Ward For His Legacy of Service