Honolulu Councilmember Heidi Tsuneyoshi is officially running for Hawaiʻi governor as a Republican in the 2022 election.
Tsuneyoshi currently represents District 2, which includes parts of Central Oʻahu, the North Shore and the Windward side. She has served in the Honolulu City Council for three years.
Before Honolulu City Council, she worked as a behavioral health specialist for high-risk youth with the Department of Education. She has a master's degree in counseling psychology from Chaminade University.
She says she plans to use her experience in pediatric mental health to improve preventive health and substance abuse programs under the Department of Health.
As governor, Tsuneyoshi says she would prioritize developing affordable housing for Native Hawaiians, and hold the government accountable for completing unfinished projects.
"As we know, much of our 65-year land leases are going to be coming up here soon. And our Prince Kūhiō set up the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, which is a part of our Constitution," Tsuneyoshi said. "It's a part of what is always supposed to be a focus of our place."
"He set that up to ensure that Native Hawaiians have a home and to this day, only 10,000 homes have been made for our Hawaiians since that time. It is time to make good on that legacy Prince Kūhiō left us," Tsuneyoshi said.
U.S. Indo-Pacific Command program manager Lynn Mariano and business consultant Paul Morgan are also seeking the Republican nomination.
The Republican primary election is Aug. 13.
Lt. Gov. Josh Green, former Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell, and businesswoman and former First Lady Vicky Cayetano are the Democratic candidates so far.
U.S. Rep. Kai Kahele has said he was giving “serious thought” to entering the race.
