Hawaii Democrats Say Trump’s Second Term Has Created a Political Opening for Their Party
Democrats Energized Heading Into 2026 Elections
Hawaii’s Democratic Party gathered at its state convention in Waikīkī on Saturday, with party leaders arguing that President Donald Trump’s second term has provided Democrats a chance to sharpen their identity and expand their electoral dominance heading into the 2026 election cycle.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the 2024 Democratic vice presidential nominee, delivered the convention’s headline address to roughly 400 delegates and guests at the Hilton Hawaiian Village ballroom. “If anything, Donald Trump gave us an opportunity to redefine who we are,” Walz said.
Walz and Schatz Outline Party’s Message
Walz urged delegates not to disengage in the face of Republican opposition, pressing the party to champion health care access, union rights, and protections for immigrants. He also invoked the names of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, two individuals he said were killed earlier this year by federal law enforcement.
Walz drew repeated applause with sharp criticism of Trump, calling him a “corrupt, petty, cruel wannabe dictator.” He also embraced the label of radical that Trump has applied to him, saying he is “radicalized” by the belief that health care is a human right and that union membership is central to the middle class.
U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz also addressed the convention, cautioning that opposition to Trump alone would not be sufficient to win. “We have to stay humble and understand that just not being Trump is not good enough,” Schatz said. “We need to deliver on health care, on housing, on education, on freedom, on economic opportunity.”
Both Walz and Schatz cited what they described as failures of Trump’s second term, including military conflict with Iran, rising gas prices and inflation, and the remodeling of Washington, D.C.
By the Numbers
143 Democrats had pulled candidate papers ahead of the filing deadline, compared with 67 Republicans — a nearly 2-to-1 ratio reflecting the party’s longstanding dominance in the state.
Hawaii Democrats currently hold the governorship, control the state Legislature, and occupy all seats in the state’s congressional delegation. The Republican Party of Hawaiʻi held its own state convention two weeks prior. Hawaii Republicans have acknowledged they need strong Trump-aligned turnout to remain competitive.
Key Races Taking Shape
Much of the pre-convention buzz centered on the lieutenant governor’s race, which gained a significant new entrant when state Rep. Della Au Belatti withdrew from the 1st Congressional District contest to pursue the LG seat instead. Belatti’s pivot set up a three-way race for lieutenant governor, pitting her against Kauaʻi Mayor Derek Kawakami and Honolulu attorney John Choi. All three are seeking to succeed Sylvia Luke, who is not seeking a second term and is on leave amid a bribery investigation.
Belatti’s departure from the CD1 race is widely seen as benefiting incumbent U.S. Rep. Ed Case, a moderate Democrat. Many observers believed Belatti and state Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole were drawing from a similar pool of more liberal voters, and her exit may consolidate that support behind Keohokalole.
Notable Absences, Ongoing Energy
U.S. Rep. Ed Case, Sen. Mazie Hirono, and U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda were not present in person but each submitted video remarks. Hirono encouraged turnout efforts, Tokuda called for strong Democrats at every level of government, and Case urged party unity despite internal disagreements.
This year’s convention was shorter than in prior years and drew a smaller crowd. Some attendees left early to attend a memorial service for former Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa, who died in March.
Still, the event drew a broad cross-section of the party’s bench, including state Senate President Ron Kouchi, House Speaker Nadine Nakamura, and several Honolulu and Hawaii County council members, signaling that Democratic engagement extends well beyond the top of the ticket.
What’s Next
The candidate filing deadline falls three days after the convention. Primary and general election contests across legislative, congressional, and county races are expected to draw significant Democratic competition, particularly for open legislative seats. The lieutenant governor’s race and the CD1 contest are expected to be among the most closely watched matchups in the cycle.