Young, first-time voters across Oahu turned out ahead of the midterms, a hopeful sign for civic engagement even as the island grapples with deeper economic strain.

• Students from several Oahu schools joined get-out-the-vote events, with many casting ballots for the first time.
• First-time voters say they want a say in picking leaders who represent them, and encourage others their age to vote too.
• The cost of living is the top worry for many young voters, who say families are being priced out of Hawaii and forced to move to the mainland, often struggling to return.
• Organizers say turnout events like this one are growing each year as more people show up to vote and have fun doing it.

Outlook: Organizers expect youth turnout efforts to keep growing, with the high cost of living remaining a defining issue for young Hawaii voters.