View source for Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi

{{short description|Affiliate of liberal U.S. political party in Hawaii}}
{{More citations needed|date=November 2009}}
{{Infobox political party
| name             = Democratic Party of Hawai{{okina}}i
| native_name      = ʻAoʻao Kemokalaka o Hawaiʻi
| colorcode        = #2175BB
| logo             = File:Hawaii Democratic Party logo.svg
| chairperson      = Derek Turbin
| leader1_title    = [[Governor of Hawaii|Governor]]
| leader1_name     = [[Josh Green (politician)|Josh Green]]
| leader2_title    = [[Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii|Lieutenant Governor]]
| leader2_name     = [[Sylvia Luke]]
| leader3_title    = [[List of Presidents of the Hawaii Senate|Senate President]]
| leader3_name     = [[Ron Kouchi]]
| leader4_title    = [[List of Speakers of the Hawaii House of Representatives|House Speaker]]
| leader4_name     = [[Nadine Nakamura]]
| foundation       = {{Start date|1900|4|30}}
| headquarters     = [[Honolulu]]
| ideology         = 
| position         = 
| national         = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]]|
| merger           = [[National Liberal Party (Hawaii)|National Liberal Party]]<br/>[[Communist Party of Hawaii|Communist Party]]
| seats1_title     = [[Hawaii House of Representatives|State House]]
| seats1           = {{Composition bar|42|51|hex=#2175BB}}
| seats2_title     = [[Hawaii Senate|State Senate]]
| seats2           = {{Composition bar|22|25|hex=#2175BB}}
| seats3_title     = [[Government of Hawaii#Executive branch|Statewide Executive Offices]]
| seats3           = {{Composition bar|2|2|hex=#2175BB}}
| seats5_title     = [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. House of Representatives]]<br>({{small|Hawaii seats|small}})
| seats5           = {{Composition bar|2|2|hex=#2175BB}}
| seats6_title     = [[United States Senate|U.S. Senate]]<br>({{small|Hawaii seats|small}})
| seats6           = {{Composition bar|2|2|hex=#2175BB}}
| colors           = {{Color box|#2175BB|border=darkgray}} [[Blue]]
| website          = {{URL|https://hawaiidemocrats.org/}}
| state            = Hawaii
| symbol           = [[File:Democratic Disc.svg|100px]]
}}

The '''Democratic Party of Hawai{{okina}}i''' ('''DPH'''; {{langx|haw|ʻAoʻao Kemokalaka o Hawaiʻi}}) is the affiliate of the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]] in the state of [[Hawaii]].
 
It is currently the dominant party in the state, and is one of the strongest affiliates of the national Democratic Party. The party currently controls both of Hawaii's [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. House]] seats, both [[United States Senate|U.S. Senate]] seats, the [[Governor of Hawaii|governorship]], and has supermajorities in both houses of the [[Hawaii State Legislature|state legislature]], controlling nearly 90% of all legislative seats.

==Organization==
The party is a centralized organization established to promote the party platform as drafted in convention biennially. It is also charged with registering voters and delivering voter turnout through county organizations for [[Hawaii County, Hawaii|Hawaii County]], [[Kauai County, Hawaii|Kaua{{okina}}i County]], [[Maui County, Hawaii|Maui County]] and the [[Honolulu County, Hawaii|City and County of Honolulu]].

A major factor in the party's organization is the ethnicity of Hawaii itself. As Democrats emerged as the dominant political party in 1962, they sought to garner support from [[Native Hawaiians]] and other non-whites. This success is attributed to the efforts of portraying themselves as not belonging to the power elite. For decades, the party had little difficulty in winning local and statewide elections, with a significant number of Democrats running unopposed in certain years.<ref>{{harv|Appleton|Ward|1997|p=74}}</ref> The party has also established a [[gender equality|gender-equality]] policy that required the election of more women to the state central committee, resulting in an equal balance of men and women in administrative positions.<ref>{{harv|Appleton|Ward|1997|p=75}}</ref>

State-level organizational meetings are held at the precinct, district, county, and state level, biennially, during even-numbered years. The party adheres to a complex set of bylaws that addresses eligibility for membership, election of officers, holding conventions, and recruiting delegates to represent the party at conventions.<ref name="Appleton 1997 77">{{harv|Appleton|Ward|1997|p=77}}</ref> A minimum of two delegates are required from each precinct, with an equal number of men and women, as required by its gender-equality policy.<ref name="Appleton 1997 77"/> While there is no permanent location for state conventions, nearly all of them have been held on the island of [[Oahu]] (the most populated) since 1960.<ref>{{harv|Appleton|Ward|1997|p=78}}</ref>

The party is governed by a Chair and the State Central Committee. That committee is composed of representatives from each senatorial district, as well as representatives from each county, for each caucuses and the [[Young Democrats of Hawaii]]. Gender equality policies require the State Central Committee to be split equally between male and female representatives.<ref name="State Central Committee Caucus Nomination Proceedures">{{cite web|url=http://www.hawaiidemocrats.org/pdf/SCC_Caucus_Nominations.pdf|title=2014 STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE NOMINATION FORM|publisher=Democratic Party of Hawaii|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402110040/http://www.hawaiidemocrats.org/pdf/SCC_Caucus_Nominations.pdf|archive-date=April 2, 2015}}</ref>

Due to the extreme geographical distance from the headquarters of the [[Democratic National Committee]] in Washington D.C., the party is relatively independent in its affairs. As a result, the national party does not typically inquire contributions for fund-raising purposes. Due to the party's dominant status in the state, there is some over-representation at national party conventions, in comparison to the population of Hawaii itself. Despite certain advantages, the party remains somewhat isolated on the national level.<ref>(Appleton & Ward 1997, p. 78)</ref>

==History==
[[File:DavidKawananakoa3.jpg|thumb|left|75px|David Kawānanakoa]]
[[File:John H. Wilson (vol. 2, 1921).jpg|thumb|left|75px|John H. Wilson]]
[[File:Charles J. McCarthy (vol. 2, 1921).jpg|thumb|left|75px|Charles J. McCarthy]]

===Founding===
The Democratic Party of Hawai{{okina}}i was formed on April 30, 1900, by supporters of the [[Liliuokalani|queen]] in the wake of a [[Bubonic plague|plague]] quarantine in [[Honolulu]]. The meeting brought together five men: [[John H. Wilson (Hawaii)|John H. Wilson]], son of Marshal of the Kingdom [[Charles B. Wilson]]; [[John S. McGrew]], a doctor and supporter of [[Kalākaua]]; [[Charles J. McCarthy]], a saloon owner and former [[Honolulu Rifles|Honolulu Rifle]]; [[David Kawānanakoa]], prince of the [[House of Kawānanakoa]]; and [[Delbert E. Metzger]], an engineer from [[Kaua{{okina}}i]]. The group believed that it was necessary for a party in Hawaii, now a region of the US, to have a national counterpart to survive and established the Democratic Party of Hawaii. The intention of the party was to promote [[Jeffersonian political philosophy|Jeffersonian philosophy]] and [[home rule]]. Following the [[Overthrow of the Hawaiian Monarchy]], the [[Reform Party of Hawaii]] seized control of government and intended to [[Annexation of Hawaii|annex]] [[Hawaii]] to the [[United States]]. The reformers became affiliated with the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]] for this support of Hawaii's annexation in contrast to the Democrats' opposition. The [[American Union Party]] became the [[Hawaii Republican Party|regional Republican party in Hawaii]], leaving the Democratic Party for any opposition group. The first convention of the Democratic Party of Hawaii was held on May 16 that year and was attended by 500 people. Later that year, Kawānanakoa attended the [[1900 Democratic National Convention]] in [[Kansas City, Missouri|Kansas City]], becoming the first royal attendee. At the convention, Kawānanakoa formed an affiliation between the Democratic Party of Hawaii and the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party of the United States]].

===Elections of 1900===
Leading up to the election of 1900, it became apparent the radically nationalist [[Home Rule Party of Hawaii|Home Rule Party]] became the most popular. Republicans who had been rejected for the unpopular overthrow of the monarchy and promotion of white supremacy, offered a [[Coalition government|coalition]] between the Democrats and Republicans. Democrats refused the offer and Home Rule Party came to power. But the election of 1900 was based more on animosity toward the Republican Party for dethroning the monarchy than the Home Rule Party's functionality once in power.<ref name="Appleton & Ward 1997, p. 73">(Appleton & Ward 1997, p. 73)</ref> Due to the extremism of the Home Rule, they were ineffective. Similarly, the Democrats were also consumed with infighting. In the following elections, voters perceived little difference between the internal strife of the Democratic Party and the Home Rule Party. Since the 1900 election, Republicans had formed the Haole-Hawaiian Alliance. This deal with made with former Home Rule members who left the infighting. The Republicans then regained power. In the subsequent years, Democrats supported the stronger Home Rule Party until it dissolved in 1912. The party managed to elect Democrats [[Joseph J. Fern]] and Wilson as mayors of Honolulu, along with several other positions, but maintained a weak reputation throughout the [[Territory of Hawaii|territorial years]].{{Which|date=July 2010}} Among the issues was that offices under leadership positions were frequently held by Republicans, with Democrats achieving leadership positions they only brought limited powers, especially against Republican policies.

===Territory of Hawaii===
After the overthrow of the monarchy and annexation, an [[oligarchy]] of powerful [[sugarcane|sugar corporations]] called the [[Big Five (Hawaii)|Big Five]] effectively controlled government in the [[Hawaiian Islands]], making hundreds of millions of dollars in profits.<ref name="Appleton & Ward 1997, p. 73"/> The oligarchy of Castle & Cooke, Alexander & Baldwin, C. Brewer & Co., Amfac, and Theo H. Davies & Co. worked in favor of the [[Hawaii Republican Party|Hawai{{okina}}i Republican Party]]. The plantations needed labor and the Native Hawaiian population was insufficient to fill the demand. Immigrants from around the world such as Puerto Rico, Korea, and most particularly Japan and the Philippines were brought to Hawaii. In response to the flood of immigrants, Democrats became more [[Nativism (politics)|nativist]]. Democrats like McCarthy and [[Oren E. Long|Oren Long]] pushed a compromise of allowing [[migrant worker]]s that would eventually return to where they came from rather than establish themselves in Hawaii.

===Burns Machine===
{{Main|Democratic Revolution of 1954 (Hawaii)}}
Up to the Revolution of 1954, Democrats held a stronger pro-[[Native Hawaiians|Hawaiian]] stance, resulting in anti-Asian sentiments based on fears [[Asian American]]s would outperform Hawaiians in education and job performance. Up to [[World War II]], half of elected Democrats were Hawaiian while only a quarter were [[Caucasian race|Caucasian]]. Following World War II, a local movement to empower laborers in Hawaii was formed. [[Honolulu Police Department]] officer [[John A. Burns]] began organizing the plantation laborers, especially the [[Japanese American]]s and [[Filipino Americans]] he came to know while on his police beats.<ref name="scottfoster.org">{{Cite web|url=http://www.scottfoster.org/40_Years_After.htm|title=Forty Years After}}</ref> He began what would be known as the "Burns Machine". He believed grassroots organizing and the power of elections could overturn the corruption of the Republicans in power. The movement received its biggest boost when Burns successfully influenced Japanese American veterans who fought in World War II to become involved, notably incumbent [[Daniel Inouye]]. The coalition was composed of the Democratic Party, [[Communist Party of Hawaii|Communist Party]], [[442nd Infantry Regiment (United States)|442nd Infantry Regiment]], [[ILWU]], and other organizations.<ref name="scottfoster.org"/> During the Burns movement, the party shifted towards [[egalitarianism]], allowing an untapped Japanese voter base to bring them to power. Burns' efforts culminated in his election to the governorship after attaining statehood, heralding a forty-year era of Democratic rule in Hawai{{okina}}.<ref name="scottfoster.org"/>

===Statehood===
Party standing in the [[U.S. Congress]] was strengthened once Hawaii achieved statehood in 1959. For the first time, political representation was fully justified as newly elected representatives were allowed to cast votes. The achievement of statehood had also significantly enhanced the party's status within national party organizations.<ref name="Appleton & Ward 1997, p. 74">(Appleton & Ward 1997, p. 74)</ref> Democrats have held onto a solid majority since 1962, with near-complete control over the state's congressional delegation and its legislative and executive branch. At the national level, Democrats held all of Hawaii's seats in the Senate and the House. Both positions of governor and lieutenant governor were also filled by Democrats, with the former being held by John Burns, the organizer of the Burns Machine in 1954. Burns was instrumental in the revitalization of the party following World War II. He was reelected two more times and died shortly after his third term in office in 1975.<ref name="Appleton & Ward 1997, p. 74"/>

[[Political faction|Factionalism]] within the party was a problem in the late 1960s, as a newer [[progressive politics|progressive]] wing (led by Tom Gill) began to challenge the older wing headed by incumbent governor Burns. This division in the party reached a high point in 1970, when Gill challenged Burns for the next gubernatorial term. As a supporter of environmental protection, consumer protection and other progressive causes, Gill lost the primary election to Burns. While factional struggles continued into the 1970s, the Burns regime remained in power.<ref name="Appleton & Ward 1997, p. 75">(Appleton & Ward 1997, p. 75)</ref>  The strength of the Burns Machine has diminished since the mid-1980s, primarily due to the advanced ages of its original supporters. There has been renewed strength in the progressive wing. Since 1994, progressive supporters have held control over the party central committee, having run unopposed in certain years.<ref name="Appleton & Ward 1997, p. 75"/> The Hawaii Democratic Party maintained political control of the state government in Hawaii for over forty years, from 1962 to 2002.

The party has remained successful due to its heavy usage of the media, relying on grassroots activities. Campaign tactics and promotion of party ideals have been characterized by rice dinners, rallies, door-to-door campaigning, and sign waving in public areas. These activities have helped maintain the party's large membership and its status as the majority party of Hawaii.<ref>(Appleton & Ward 1997, p. 76)</ref>

==Political positions==

===Liberalism===
The Democratic Party has tended to hold a position on social issues based on how an issue would affects bystanders and/or the environment. The party's platform is based on the values of liberty and social justice, with compassion and respect towards the individual.<ref name="Party 2010 Platform">{{citation|author=Democratic Party of Hawaii|title=2010 Platform|year=2010|url=http://www.hawaiidemocrats.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=104&Itemid=164|access-date=2011-11-13|archive-date=2011-10-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111031123609/http://www.hawaiidemocrats.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=104&Itemid=164|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 1997, the [[Reciprocal beneficiary relationships in Hawaii|reciprocal beneficiary]] registration gave recognition to same-sex couples.<ref name="Party 2010 Platform"/> In 1970 Democratic Governor John A. Burns legalized [[abortion]] in Hawaii. But this position has also led to restrictions.<ref name="Burns Advertiser 150th">{{citation|last=Gordon|first=Mike|title=John A. Burns|date=July 2, 2006|newspaper=Honolulu Advertiser|publisher=Gannett|url=http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/150/sesq4burns|access-date=2011-11-13}}</ref> In 2006 strict [[smoking bans]] were put in place based on the effects of [[secondhand smoke]] on bystanders.<ref>{{citation|author=Hawaii State Department of Health|title=Hawaii's Smoke-Free Law|url=http://hawaii.gov/health/healthy-lifestyles/tobacco/Smoke-Free-Law.htm|access-date=2011-11-13}}</ref> Since the [[Hawaii Democratic Revolution of 1954|Revolution of 1954]], the Democratic Party of Hawaii has been considered progressive in its center-left ideologies. The party has promoted racial tolerance, [[multiculturalism]], and [[Minority rights|protection of minorities]].

===Trade unionism===
The Democratic Party has asserted itself as Hawaii's labor party since gaining support from unions and plantation workers in the 1950s. The party has supported [[workers rights]] and [[collective bargaining]]. Opposition has come from [[employer]]s and [[small business]] owners who feel their rights have been neglected because of the emphasis on employee protection and rights.

===Economics===
The Democrats prefer increased regulation of big companies because of the relatively small marketplace in Hawaii and past experiences with [[monopolies]] and [[oligopolies]], such as the [[Big Five (Hawaii)|Big Five]] employer monopoly on the [[job market]]. The shipping and airline industries in particular are targeted for regulation. The Democrats tend to be closely involved with the tourism industry. The party believes in the simplification of government processes on the local and state level, with integration of databases to promote efficiency in these areas.<ref name="Party 2010 Platform"/>

===Environment===
The Democratic Party has favored conservation efforts such as wildlife sanctuaries and reserves. Pollution reduction initiatives have received [[bipartisan]] support in Hawaii. The reduction of one's carbon footprint is reflected in the party's encouragement of using clean energy sources, also with environmentally friendly modes of transportation.<ref name="Party 2010 Platform" />

===Healthcare===
The party platform supports a public health care system with development long-term financing solutions for individual care. The party has expressed support towards single payer [[universal health care]] coverage with the inclusion of a public option in this plan. The party does not support the denial of coverage towards women for abortion services.<ref name="Party 2010 Platform" />  Democrats have been involved with healthcare issues and supportive of [[non-profit]] healthcare providers. They are also responsible for the [[Hawaii Prepaid Health Care Act]].

===Religion===
Religion in the Democratic Party varies among individuals. Governor [[John A. Burns]], a devout [[Roman Catholic]], allowed Hawaii to become the first state to legalize [[abortion]]. He put his religious views aside when he decided not to veto the bill.<ref name="Burns Advertiser 150th" />

==Current elected officials==

The following is a list of Democrats who hold elected federal and statewide offices in Hawaii in 2020:

===Members of Congress===

====U.S. Senate====
Democrats have controlled both of Hawaii's seats in the U.S. Senate since [[1976 United States Senate elections|1976]].

<gallery widths="200" heights="200">
File:Brian Schatz, official portrait, 113th Congress 2.jpg|Senior U.S. Senator {{Sortname|last=Schatz|first=Brian}}
File:Mazie Hirono, official portrait, 113th Congress.jpg|Junior U.S. Senator {{Sortname|last=Hirono|first=Mazie}}
</gallery>

====U.S. House of Representatives====
Out of the 2 seats Hawaii is apportioned in the U.S. House of Representatives, both are held by Democrats:

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+
!District
!Member
!Photo
|-
|[[Hawaii's 1st congressional district|1st]]
|{{Sortname|first=Ed|last=Case}}
|[[File:Ed Case, official portrait, 116th Congress (cropped).jpg|center|frameless|130px]]
|-
|[[Hawaii's 2nd congressional district|2nd]]
|{{Sortname|first=Jill|last=Tokuda}}
|[[File:Rep. Jill Tokuda official photo, 118th Congress (cropped).jpg|center|frameless|130px]]
|}

===Statewide offices===
Democrats control both of the elected statewide offices:

<gallery widths="180" heights="180">
File:Josh Green Official Photo 2022 (cropped) (cropped).jpg|[[Governor of Hawaii|Governor]] {{Sortname|last=Green|first=Josh|dab=politician}}
</gallery>

===State legislative leaders===
*[[List of Presidents of the Hawaii Senate|Senate President]]: '''[[Ron Kouchi]]'''
**Senate Vice President: '''[[Michelle Kidani]]'''
**Senate Majority Leader: '''[[Dru Kanuha]]'''
*[[List of Speakers of the Hawaii House of Representatives|House Speaker]]: '''[[Nadine Nakamura]]'''
**Vice House Speaker: '''[[Linda Ichiyama]]'''
**House Majority Leader: '''[[Sean Quinlan]]'''
**House Majority Floor Leader: '''[[Dee Morikawa]]'''

== List of chairs ==

* Robert C. Oshiro (1962–1968)
* David C. McClung (1968–1973)
* Minoru Hirabara (1973–1980)
* James Kumagai (1980–1986)
* Jack Richardson (1986–1990)
* Dennis O'Connor (1990–1994)
* Richard Port (1994–1996)
* Marilyn Bornhorst (1996–1998)
* [[Walter Heen]] (1998–2001)
* Lorraine Akiba (2001–2004)
* [[Brickwood Galuteria]] (2004–2006)
* Mike McCartney (2006–2007)
* Jeani Withington (Interim) (2007–2008)
* [[Brian Schatz]] (2008–2010)
* Dante Carpenter (2010–2014)
* Stephanie Ohigashi (2014–2016)
* Tim Vandeveer (2016–2018)
* Kealii Lopez (2018–2019)
* Kate Stanley (Interim) (2019–2020)
* Tyler Dos Santos-Tam (2020–2022)
* Dennis Jung (2022–2023)
* [[Adrian Tam]] (Interim) (2023–2024)
* Derek Turbin (2024–present)

== Electoral performance ==

=== Presidential ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Hawaii Democratic Party presidential election results
!Election
!Presidential ticket
!Votes
!Vote %
!Electoral votes
!Result
|-
|'''[[1960 United States presidential election in Hawaii|1960]]'''
|[[John F. Kennedy]]/[[Lyndon B. Johnson]]
|92,410
|50.03%
|{{Composition bar|3|3|{{party color|Democratic Party (US)}}}}
|{{Won}}
|-
|'''[[1964 United States presidential election in Hawaii|1964]]'''
|[[Lyndon B. Johnson]]/[[Hubert Humphrey]]
|163,249
|78.76%
|{{Composition bar|4|4|{{party color|Democratic Party (US)}}}}
|{{Won}}
|-
|'''[[1968 United States presidential election in Hawaii|1968]]'''
|[[Hubert Humphrey]]/[[Edmund Muskie]]
|141,324
|59.83%
|{{Composition bar|4|4|{{party color|Democratic Party (US)}}}}
|{{Lost}}
|-
|'''[[1972 United States presidential election in Hawaii|1972]]'''
|[[George McGovern]]/[[Sargent Shriver]]
|101,409
|37.52%
|{{Composition bar|0|4|{{party color|Democratic Party (US)}}}}
|{{Lost}}
|-
|'''[[1976 United States presidential election in Hawaii|1976]]'''
|[[Jimmy Carter]]/[[Walter Mondale]]
|147,375
|50.59%
|{{Composition bar|4|4|{{party color|Democratic Party (US)}}}}
|{{Won}}
|-
|'''[[1980 United States presidential election in Hawaii|1980]]'''
|[[Jimmy Carter]]/[[Walter Mondale]]
|135,879
|44.80%
|{{Composition bar|4|4|{{party color|Democratic Party (US)}}}}
|{{Lost}}
|-
|'''[[1984 United States presidential election in Hawaii|1984]]'''
|[[Walter Mondale]]/[[Geraldine Ferraro]]
|147,154
|43.82%
|{{Composition bar|0|4|{{party color|Democratic Party (US)}}}}
|{{Lost}}
|-
|'''[[1988 United States presidential election in Hawaii|1988]]'''
|[[Michael Dukakis]]/[[Lloyd Bentsen]]
|192,364
|54.27%
|{{Composition bar|4|4|{{party color|Democratic Party (US)}}}}
|{{Lost}}
|-
|'''[[1992 United States presidential election in Hawaii|1992]]'''
|[[Bill Clinton]]/[[Al Gore]]
|179,310
|48.09%
|{{Composition bar|4|4|{{party color|Democratic Party (US)}}}}
|{{Won}}
|-
|'''[[1996 United States presidential election in Hawaii|1996]]'''
|[[Bill Clinton]]/[[Al Gore]]
|205,012
|56.93%
|{{Composition bar|4|4|{{party color|Democratic Party (US)}}}}
|{{Won}}
|-
|'''[[2000 United States presidential election in Hawaii|2000]]'''
|[[Al Gore]]/[[Joe Lieberman]]
|205,286
|55.79%
|{{Composition bar|4|4|{{party color|Democratic Party (US)}}}}
|{{Lost}}
|-
|'''[[2004 United States presidential election in Hawaii|2004]]'''
|[[John Kerry]]/[[John Edwards]]
|231,708
|54.01%
|{{Composition bar|4|4|{{party color|Democratic Party (US)}}}}
|{{Lost}}
|-
|'''[[2008 United States presidential election in Hawaii|2008]]'''
|[[Barack Obama]]/[[Joe Biden]]
|325,871
|71.85%
|{{Composition bar|4|4|{{party color|Democratic Party (US)}}}}
|{{Won}}
|-
|'''[[2012 United States presidential election in Hawaii|2012]]'''
|[[Barack Obama]]/[[Joe Biden]]
|306,658
|70.55%
|{{Composition bar|4|4|{{party color|Democratic Party (US)}}}}
|{{Won}}
|-
|'''[[2016 United States presidential election in Hawaii|2016]]'''
|[[Hillary Clinton]]/[[Tim Kaine]]
|266,891
|62.88%
|{{Composition bar|4|4|{{party color|Democratic Party (US)}}}}
|{{Lost}}
|-
|'''[[2020 United States presidential election in Hawaii|2020]]'''
|[[Joe Biden]]/[[Kamala Harris]]
|366,130
|63.73%
|{{Composition bar|4|4|{{party color|Democratic Party (US)}}}}
|{{Won}}

|-
|'''[[2024 United States presidential election in Hawaii|2024]]'''
|[[Kamala Harris]]/[[Tim Walz]]
|313,044
|60.59%
|{{Composition bar|4|4|{{party color|Democratic Party (US)}}}}
|{{Lost}}
|}

=== Gubernatorial ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Hawaii Democratic Party gubernatorial election results
!Election
!Gubernatorial ticket
!Votes
!Vote %
!Result
|-
|'''[[1959 Hawaii gubernatorial election|1959]]'''
|[[John A. Burns]]/Mitsuyuki Kido
|82,074
|48.66%
|'''Lost''' {{N}}
|-
|'''[[1962 Hawaii gubernatorial election|1962]]'''
|[[John A. Burns]]/[[William S. Richardson]]
|114,308
|58.32%
|'''Won''' {{Y}}
|-
|'''[[1966 Hawaii gubernatorial election|1966]]'''
|[[John A. Burns]]/[[Thomas Gill (politician)|Thomas Gill]]
|108,840
|51.06%
|'''Won''' {{Y}}
|-
|'''[[1970 Hawaii gubernatorial election|1970]]'''
|[[John A. Burns]]/[[George Ariyoshi]]
|137,812
|57.65%
|'''Won''' {{Y}}
|-
|'''[[1974 Hawaii gubernatorial election|1974]]'''
|[[George Ariyoshi]]/[[Nelson Doi]]
|136,262
|54.58%
|'''Won''' {{Y}}
|-
|'''[[1978 Hawaii gubernatorial election|1978]]'''
|[[George Ariyoshi]]/[[Jean King]]
|153,394
|54.48%
|'''Won''' {{Y}}
|-
|'''[[1982 Hawaii gubernatorial election|1982]]'''
|[[George Ariyoshi]]/[[John D. Waiheʻe III|John D. Waihe'e III]]
|141,043
|45.23%
|'''Won''' {{Y}}
|-
|'''[[1986 Hawaii gubernatorial election|1986]]'''
|[[John D. Waiheʻe III|John D. Waihe'e III]]/[[Ben Cayetano]]
|173,655
|51.98%
|'''Won''' {{Y}}
|-
|'''[[1990 Hawaii gubernatorial election|1990]]'''
|[[John D. Waiheʻe III|John D. Waihe'e III]]/[[Ben Cayetano]]
|203,491
|59.83%
|'''Won''' {{Y}}
|-
|'''[[1994 Hawaii gubernatorial election|1994]]'''
|[[Ben Cayetano]]/[[Mazie Hirono]]
|134,978
|36.58%
|'''Won''' {{Y}}
|-
|'''[[1998 Hawaii gubernatorial election|1998]]'''
|[[Ben Cayetano]]/[[Mazie Hirono]]
|204,206
|50.11%
|'''Won''' {{Y}}
|-
|'''[[2002 Hawaii gubernatorial election|2002]]'''
|[[Mazie Hirono]]/Matt Matsunaga
|179,647
|47.01%
|'''Lost''' {{N}}
|-
|'''[[2006 Hawaii gubernatorial election|2006]]'''
|[[Randy Iwase]]/[[Malama Solomon]]
|121,717
|35.35%
|'''Lost''' {{N}}
|-
|'''[[2010 Hawaii gubernatorial election|2010]]'''
|[[Neil Abercrombie]]/[[Brian Schatz]]
|222,724
|58.22%
|'''Won''' {{Y}}
|-
|'''[[2014 Hawaii gubernatorial election|2014]]'''
|[[David Ige]]/[[Shan Tsutsui]]
|181,106
|49.45%
|'''Won''' {{Y}}
|-
|'''[[2018 Hawaii gubernatorial election|2018]]'''
|[[David Ige]]/[[Josh Green (politician)|Josh Green]]
|244,934
|62.67%
|'''Won''' {{Y}}
|-
|'''[[2022 Hawaii gubernatorial election|2022]]'''
|[[Josh Green (politician)|Josh Green]]/[[Sylvia Luke]]
|261,025
|63.16%
|'''Won''' {{Y}}
|}

==See also==
*[[Aloha Aina Party of Hawaii|Aloha ʻĀina Party of Hawai'i]]
*[[Green Party of Hawaii]]
*[[Hawaii Republican Party]]
*[[Political party strength in Hawaii]]

==Notes==
{{reflist}}

==References==
*{{citation| last1=Appleton | first1=Andrew M. | last2=Ward | first2=Daniel S. | title=State Party Profiles: A 50-State Guide to Development, Organization, and Resources | publisher=Congressional Quarterly | year=1997 | pages=73–82 | isbn=978-1-56802-150-8}}

==External links==
*[http://www.hawaiidemocrats.org/ Democratic Party of Hawai{{okina}}i]
*[http://www.ydhi.org/ Young Democrats of Hawaii]
{{U.S. Democratic Party state parties}}
{{HawaiiPoliticalParties}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Democratic Party of Hawaii| ]]
[[Category:Democratic Party (United States) by state|Hawaii]]
[[Category:Political parties in Hawaii]]
[[Category:Native Hawaiian nationalist parties]]
[[Category:Political parties established in 1900]]
[[Category:1900 establishments in Hawaii]]