Democratic Party has 5 qualified candidates for State House District 28 Seat

News Release from Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi, Feb 27, 2026 

The Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi has 5 qualified candidates to fill the vacant State House District 28 seat, formerly held by Daniel Holt, who was appointed by the Governor as the Special Assistant to the Chair of the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

State House District 28 represents Sand Island, Iwilei, and Chinatown. Pursuant to the DPH Constitution, Article VIII, Section 10, and DPH Bylaws Article IX, Section 4 & 5, and Democratic Party of Hawaiʻiʻs Procedures for Filing Legislative Mid-Term Vacancies, the following candidates have submitted applications and met the requirements to be considered for inclusion on the final list of three names to be transmitted to the Governor:

● Nadia Alves is a first-generation immigrant born into a large, working-class, multi-generational household that taught her the values of hard work, responsibility, and the importance of family. Her career has taken many turns, from making minimum wage at a fast food chain, to being a residential supervisor at a school for neurodivergent youths, a preschool teacher, a campaign organizer, a leadership program manager, and most recently, as an office manager at the Hawaiʻi State House of Representatives.

● Robert “Bob” Mikala Armstrong has led several Hawaiʻi non-profit organizations, taught at the college level for two decades, anchored numerous radio and television broadcasts, and has worked in all levels of government. He is currently a transit operator for the City and County of Honolulu and an elected member of the Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board. (Be sure to check out ECourtKokua--multiple TROs, etc on this one!)

● Ernest D K Caravalho is a United States Air Force veteran and Chair of Neighborhood Board 13 Downtown-Chinatown who has dedicated years to strengthening public safety, supporting small businesses, and preserving Hawaiʻi’s cultural identity through hands-on community leadership.

● Anthony Alexander Nagatani is a Honolulu born and raised media professional and longtime national Democratic organizer living in House District 28 who is focused on responsive constituent services, housing affordability, and responsible infrastructure modernization.

● Michael “Cov” Ratcliffe is a labor law attorney who serves on the Kalihi-Palama Neighborhood Board. He attended California State University – East Bay where he studied Philosophy and History and then returned home to study and receive a J.D. from Richardson Law School. After graduation, Michael served as a law clerk for the Hawaiʻi Intermediate Court of Appeals. He also volunteers at the Legal Advocacy Clinic at Kōkua Kalihi Valley.

Candidate headshots can be found here

At a meeting to be held on March 1 at 7:00 pm (via Zoom), the Selection Body, composed of the district council officers of House District 28, will vote to advance three names to be sent to the Governor. Selection Body members will be permitted to vote for up to three different candidates.

“Thank you to Lynn Robinson-Onderko, our Oʻahu County Chair, for her work facilitating this selection process,” said Derek Turbin, Chairman of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi. “I also extend my thanks to the District 28 officers and selection body for their hard work. Lastly, we are excited about the candidates who have stepped to serve House District 28. They are organizers and activists, with a passion for their community.”

Lynn Robinson-Onderko adds, “It’s inspiring to see these Democrats so dedicated to this grassroots effort to ensure House District 28 is well represented at the Hawaiʻi State Legislature. I’m grateful to House District 28 Chair Doug Pyle and our Selection Body for their dedication to send 3 exceptional nominees to the Governor.”

Participation and discussion in the Zoom meeting will be limited to eligible officers, candidates, and the DPH and O`ahu County support teams. However, in the spirit of openness and transparency, others can register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_kO_05UTOR6qcZM8yXQa_1Q

Once voting is complete, a public announcement will be made, including the three names that will be transmitted first to the State Party Chair, and then to the Governor, who has until April 14, 2026 to make an appointment.

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