Hawaii's elections passed quietly while a bigger question lingers: why so few Native Hawaiians hold elected office, which is bad for a community that remains underrepresented in its own government.

• Hawaii stayed solidly Democratic again, with almost no close races statewide except for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs contest.
• Other states elected notable Indigenous leaders this cycle, including a new governor with deep tribal ties, making Hawaii's lack of similar representation stand out.
• A Maui candidate became the first Green Party and first third-party candidate ever elected to the state legislature, a sign cracks are forming in the two-party setup.
• Low Native Hawaiian turnout, both as candidates and voters, is cited as the main reason for the gap in representation.
• A rise in younger voters this cycle is seen as a hopeful sign that more Indigenous candidates could emerge in future elections.

Outlook: Advocates hope growing youth turnout will eventually translate into more Native Hawaiians running for and winning office.