Brenton
Awa
Hawaii state senator and Senate Minority Leader running as the Republican candidate for Hawaiʻi's 2nd Congressional District in 2026
- sources
- 16
- positions
- 12
- endorsements
- 0
Background
Brenton Awa is a Republican Hawaii state senator representing District 23 and serves as the Senate Minority Leader. He was first elected to the state Senate in November 2022 and was reelected in 2024, with his current term running through 2028. 312
Before entering politics, Awa built a career in television news, anchoring and reporting for KITV4, KGMB9, and Hawaii News Now beginning in 2009. He also worked as a substitute teacher, high-school wrestling coach, sports commentator, and disaster-recovery project manager. 3
Awa was born in Kaʻaʻawa, raised in Kahaluʻu, and currently lives in Kahaluʻu, Oʻahu. He graduated from Kahuku High School in 2004 and earned a B.S. in Speech Communication and Leadership from Clarion University of Pennsylvania. 3
In 2026, Awa is the Republican candidate for Hawaiʻi's 2nd Congressional District, challenging incumbent Democratic Representative Jill Tokuda in the November 3, 2026, general election. 15
At a glance
- Party
- Republican
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 2, Hawaii
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Hawaii State Senator, District 23; Senate Minority Leader
- Website
- votebrentonawa.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 11newsCommentary: Awa might fare better as an independent; Tokuda has 35x more campaign funds
A Civil Beat opinion column by Neal Milner considered whether Awa would perform better running as an independent rather than as a Republican. It noted Tokuda had 35 times more available campaign funds than Awa, framing the fundraising gap as a significant challenge.
Neal Milner: Independents Are Rising. Do They Have A ... · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 10debateVideo of Awa vs. Tokuda CD2 candidate forum published by Hawaii Free Press
Hawaii Free Press published video coverage of the Brenton Awa vs. Jill Tokuda CD2 candidate forum.
VIDEO: Brenton Awa vs Jill Tokuda at CD2 Candidate Forum · Oct 10, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 9newsAwa on immigration: opposes violent enforcement but does not oppose mass deportation
Awa told Hawaii News Now he did not oppose mass deportation but believed enforcement had been too violent, saying: 'When you see people dying, there is no way that that should ever happen.'
Awa seeks one term in Congress: ‘I don’t care’ about world policies · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 9newsAwa says he seeks only one term and 'doesn't care' about world policies
In a Hawaii News Now interview, Awa said he does not want to spend a long congressional career on foreign-policy votes. He said money spent on the Iran war and aid to Israel should go to American families instead: 'My only concern is why isn't that money coming to Hawaii.' He also acknowledged the district had never elected a Republican and that he faced difficult odds.
Awa seeks one term in Congress: ‘I don’t care’ about world policies · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 9filingAwa listed as official Republican candidate for Hawaii CD2 in general election voter guide
An iVoterGuide Hawaiʻi general-election voter guide listed Brenton Awa as the Republican candidate for U.S. Representative, District 2, for the November 3, 2026 general election, reflecting his official filing status.
HI voter guide for the General election on Nov 03, 2026. · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 8debateAwa and Tokuda appear in Civil Beat's CD2 election forum
Both candidates participated in Civil Beat's Congressional District 2 election forum, addressing issues including cost of living, climate change, immigration, and Native Hawaiian concerns.
2026 Hawai'i Election: Congressional District 2 · Oct 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 8debateAwa and Tokuda face off in Hawaii News Now online forum
The candidates appeared in a Hawaii News Now online forum. Awa described himself as an independent-minded Republican and reiterated his plan to serve only one term.
Awa and Tokuda face off in online forum · Oct 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 7newsAwa and Tokuda both support pressing military to build more housing on Hawaii bases
A Hawaii News Now report found both candidates agreed the military should provide more housing in Hawaii, including tying housing to leases for training property. Awa also advocated limits on military housing allowances and cited his ability to work with the Trump administration.
2nd District candidates agree: military should provide more ... · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 7newsAwa argues his Republican voice would be an asset for Hawaii in Congress
In a Spotlight Now interview, Awa made the case that having a Republican voice representing Hawaii in Congress would give the state more leverage with the Trump administration.
Brenton Awa on why his Republican voice would be an asset for ... · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 6newsAwa appears on Hawaii News Now's Spotlight Now; Tokuda declines to participate
Awa joined Hawaii News Now's Spotlight Now program ahead of the general election. Tokuda declined to participate, so this was not a joint appearance. Awa discussed his Republican perspective and campaign priorities.
Maui mayor, state Sen. Awa join Spotlight Now ahead of ... · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 6debateTokuda and Awa split on potential Trump impeachment
In coverage of the CD2 race, Awa said he would oppose impeaching President Trump, framing his reasoning in terms of political leverage rather than strong personal support. He also reiterated his intention to serve only one term.
Tokuda, Awa split on potential Trump impeachment in race for ... · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 28newsUH observer calls Awa's congressional bid 'a long shot'
Civil Beat quoted University of Hawaiʻi Pacific politics observer John Hart describing Awa's chances of winning the CD2 race as 'a long shot.' No poll or numerical odds were reported.
At Issue In Tokuda Vs. Awa: Who's Better for Native ... · Sep 28, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 28newsAwa says lowering blood-quantum requirement for Hawaiian Homes is his top priority
In a Civil Beat report on the Native Hawaiian vote, Awa said his top priority would be lowering the blood-quantum requirement for Hawaiian Homes successorship, and that ultimately all Native Hawaiians should qualify regardless of blood quantum: 'If you got a drop of Hawaiian blood … you should get land.'
At Issue In Tokuda Vs. Awa: Who's Better for Native ... · Sep 28, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 20newsAwa says he turned down outside campaign help, including from AIPAC
Awa stated he told national party officials and outside groups, including AIPAC, to stay out of his race, saying: 'We've already told people to stay out. We don't want your help.' He emphasized a grassroots campaign approach.
September 20, 2026 News Read > Hawaii Free Press · Sep 23, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 20newsAwa fundraising figures reported: ~$122K raised, ~$16K cash on hand through mid-July
A Civil Beat report summarized by Hawaii Free Press revealed Awa had raised about $122,000 through mid-July 2026 and had approximately $16,000 cash on hand as of July, compared to Tokuda's $800,000+ raised and $570,000+ cash on hand.
September 20, 2026 News Read > Hawaii Free Press · Sep 23, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $123K
- Spent
- $107K
- Cash on hand
- $16K
As of Jul 19, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6HI02426(opens in a new tab)
Sources 16
- [1] Neal Milner: Independents Are Rising. Do They Have A ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
- [2] VIDEO: Brenton Awa vs Jill Tokuda at CD2 Candidate Forum(opens in a new tab) Oct 10, 2026
- [3] Awa seeks one term in Congress: ‘I don’t care’ about world policies(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [4] HI voter guide for the General election on Nov 03, 2026.(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [5] 2026 Hawai'i Election: Congressional District 2(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
- [6] Awa and Tokuda face off in online forum(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
- [7] 2nd District candidates agree: military should provide more ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
- [8] Brenton Awa on why his Republican voice would be an asset for ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
- [9] Maui mayor, state Sen. Awa join Spotlight Now ahead of ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
- [10] Tokuda, Awa split on potential Trump impeachment in race for ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
- [11] At Issue In Tokuda Vs. Awa: Who's Better for Native ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 28, 2026
- [12] September 20, 2026 News Read > Hawaii Free Press(opens in a new tab) Sep 23, 2026
- [13] Candidate Q&A: US House District 2 – Brenton Awa(opens in a new tab) Sep 4, 2026
- [14] Brenton Awa (R) – HI-02 House 2026 | Smarter.Vote(opens in a new tab) Aug 29, 2026
- [15] Brenton Awa for Congress 2026 | Hawaii Issues(opens in a new tab) Mar 12, 2026
- [16] Meet Brenton Awa | Congress 2026 | Hawaii's Home Team(opens in a new tab) Mar 12, 2026