The Hawaiʻi Republican Party recently held its annual state convention on Kauaʻi from May 24 to 25. The event aimed to elect executive leadership, fill party officer roles, and vote on rule changes.
According to the Hawaiʻi Republican Party, more than 300 voting delegates from across the state participated in the convention. They were joined by alternates, guests, and several lawmakers, including Senators Brenton Awa and Samantha DeCorte and Representatives Lauren Matsumoto, Diamond Garcia, Elijah Pierick, Garner Shimizu, and Jackie Reyes Oda. West Hawaiʻi sent 12 delegates, including local party leaders Monique Perreira and Sylvie Madison. East Hawaiʻi GOP Chair Marie Ruhland attended with 22 delegates. During the convention, Senator Awa received strong support after announcing a potential challenge against Representative Jill Tokuda for Congress. Proposed rules changes were decisively rejected following opposition from Representative Garcia.
A new leadership slate emerged victorious in the elections, indicating a shift in direction for the state GOP. Art Hannemann was elected chair by a wide margin with a message of unity and future growth. Other elected officers include Shirlene Ostrov as first vice chair for coordinated campaigns, Bob McDermott as chair of candidate recruitment, Leslie Jones as secretary, Dennis Mataia as treasurer, Steve Yoder for communications, Jackie Beckman for community service, and Susan Duffy for coalitions.
Hannemann said that “all of us here are extremely committed to the good” and emphasized the importance of empowering local and national positions in alignment with Hawaii’s motto: “Ua Mau ke Ea o ka ʻĀina i ka Pono,” which translates to “A life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness.”
The Hawaiʻi Republican Party describes itself as a supporter of a constitutional republic founded on individual rights and limited government. It emphasizes protecting freedoms rather than granting rights by the state and upholds traditional values tied to personal responsibility, family structure, and self-governance. The party draws on Hawaiʻi’s cultural heritage and state motto to highlight principles such as state sovereignty, constitutional adherence, educational choice, and free enterprise.
