PPP Polling Kawakami vs Luke for LG

by Andrew Walden, March 10, 2026 (updated March 17, 2026)

The shadow race for Lieutenant Governor is heating up. 

(UPDATE: Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami, Saturday, told reporters he will make an announcement Tuesday, March 17, 2026, about his political future.)

(UPDATE Mar 17, 2026: HNN: Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami announces run for lieutenant governor | Hawaii News Now (FULL VIDEO OF ANNOUNCEMENT)

Public Policy Polling hit thousands of Hawaii voters, including yours truly, with cellular text-based polling questions this morning.

The issue:  Would voters favor Kawakami over incumbent Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke in the August 8, 2026 Democratic Primary race?

Questions seeking to profile voters included:

--whether voters were aware of the bribery scandal surrounding Luke,

--their opinion of Green’s performance as Governor, and

--favorability or unfavorability towards Sen Donovan DelaCruz and Rep Della Au Belatti, who is running against Ed Case for CD1,

--how much cost-of-living issues would factor into the voter’s decision-making process,

--as well as the usual questions about Party preference.   

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March 3, 2026: Green: "If Derek Kawakami runs for LG, that's terrific"

UPDATE TUES MARCH 17, 2026:

HNN: Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami announces run for lieutenant governor | Hawaii News Now (FULL VIDEO OF ANNOUNCEMENT)

CB: Kaua‘i Mayor Kawakami To Challenge Luke For Lieutenant Governor - Honolulu Civil Beat

KN: BREAKING NEWS: Term-limited Kauaʻi Mayor Kawakami running for Hawaiʻi lieutenant governor : Kauai Now

SA: Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami announces plan to challenge Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke | Honolulu Star-Advertiser