PPP Polling Kawakami vs Luke for LG

by Andrew Walden

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.)

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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