In decades past, the Filipino community in Hawaii made no secret of its political allegiances. From rallying behind Frank Fasi to throwing their support to Jeremy Harris, Ben Cayetano, or Neil Abercrombie – Filipino community leaders and organizations spoke with clarity and conviction. The Filipino electorate then was as easy to read as the candidates they hand-waved signs for along King or Waipahu streets.
Those were the prime years that Filipino American Baby Boomers expressed empowerment to wake a sleeping giant – unabashedly political transparency, which for many immigrants, was a carryover from the motherland.
Filipino electorate, less clear
In stark contrast to earlier decades, 2026 finds Hawaii’s Filipino electorate once-slumbering, a political giant fully awake. That’s already been the case for multiple election cycles. Generation X, Millennials, and Gen Z Filipinos remain engaged in public affairs, but compared to their Baby Boomer grandparents and parents, their individual activism has largely merged into the machinery of mainstream political parties and organizations.
Today’s Filipino electorate is harder to define—ambiguous, even—its loyalties and motivations less transparent than in the past. Years of political acrimony in national politics have driven many Filipino voters to keep their political views private, preferring quiet reservation over public confrontation.
Hawaii’s political observers and members of the Filipino community are asking: Who exactly makes up today’s Filipino electorate? Are voters holding on to their traditional Democratic and Independent leanings, or are they shifting, at least incrementally, toward Republican preferences?
Possible out-migration impact on local Filipino body-politic
Some analysts are also pointing to the impact of large-scale Filipino migration to the mainland, raising questions about how the departure of thousands has reshaped the political voice of those who remain in the state.
If Filipinos left Hawaii at the same rate as their share of the population, they would represent roughly one-fourth of out-migrants. Using UHERO’s estimate of about 58,000 total out-migrants in 2023, that would imply around 14,000 to 15,000 Filipino out-migrants. However, this is only a proportional estimate, not an official figure, because available migration data does not publish Filipino-specific out-migration counts.
Filipino voting turnout and size
Aside from the uncertainties, what’s more certain is hard data – although dated from 2022 – suggesting that Filipino voter turnout remains below the state average. According to official Hawaii Office of Elections turnout resources, turnout is reported by district and precinct rather than by ethnicity or informal neighborhood. For the 2022 primary, turnout in Filipino-heavy communities on Oahu was generally low: lower Kalihi fell below 30%, while parts of Kalihi, Waipahu, Ewa, and Kunia were generally in the 35%–40% range. Compared to Ballotpedia’s reports that Hawaii’s turnout among eligible voters was 50.3% in the 2024 presidential general election.
The takeaway is that Filipino Americans in Hawaii are a large and potentially influential voting bloc, but turnout appears to lag in some Filipino-heavy communities.
While turnout may be slightly lower, AAPI Data Hawaii voter demographics brief reports that AAPI residents make up a very large share of Hawaii’s electorate, with about 706,422 eligible AAPI voters and an AAPI share of the state’s electorate at 66.98%. With Hawaii’s Filipino population ranking second in the state, their voter-eligibility is among the highest, and make up a considerable share of that AAPI 66.98%.
Issues that matter to Filipinos
While comprehensive surveys — such as past polls by the Hawaii Filipino Chronicle — are lacking, individual interviews offer glimpses into voter priorities, though they stop short of painting a full picture.
Filipinos from various walks of life were asked for this 2026 Primary Election cover story: 1) What are your top two issues of concern this election? 2) From your talks with family, friends and members of the Filipino community in Hawaii, do you hear that they want: a) more of the same, they are content with governance in Hawaii and/or nationally, or b) change, they are discontent and want to see more change in general? 3) Why is it important for our Filipino community to vote? Do most of the Filipinos you know (who are eligible) vote regularly?
Their answers do not necessarily reflect a majority of Hawaii’s Filipino community due to limited sampling but there are common answers to infer generalizations like the most common issue of concern at this time is affordability and that Filipinos should vote as stakeholders in Hawaii’s future. Some respondents did not answer all of these questions or changed the subject to make another point, and one requested anonymity which was included in the article to give additional sampling and a general pulse of the Filipino community this election year. Respondents’ answers were edited for space and clarity.
Top issue of concern among Filipinos: Affordability/Cost of Living
Affordability has become the top concern for many voters in the 2026 election year because it is the issue most directly tied to daily life: groceries, rent, health care, energy, gas and borrowing costs. Polling across multiple national surveys shows voters are responding to the cumulative strain of several high inflationary years — a reality that has reshaped the political landscape heading into the midterms. A Reuters/Ipsos poll found that 40% of Americans said candidates’ positions on the cost of living would be the single biggest factor in their 2026 vote.
Voters may disagree on the causes or the solutions, but they share a common experience: wages and household income are not keeping pace with the prices they face week after week.
Venos Delos Santos, Ewa Beach, Office Manager, a registered voter, said her top issue right now is affordability and the cost of living. “A working Filipino family in Hawaii may have steady employment — often holding one or even multiple jobs — yet still struggle under the weight of the state’s high cost of living. Even with consistent income, a significant portion of their earnings can go toward rent alone, especially in urban areas like Honolulu where housing costs are among the highest in the nation,” she said. “As a result, many families adapt by sharing housing with extended relatives, leading to multi-generational or crowded living arrangements simply to make ends meet. At the same time, they are often forced to make difficult trade-offs: deciding whether to prioritize groceries over utility bills, delay medical or dental care due to cost, or limit transportation expenses even when commuting is necessary for work.”
Delos Santos elaborates “these challenges are not a reflection of a lack of work ethic—in fact, they highlight the reality that many hardworking families are doing everything right yet still face financial strain. For Filipino families in particular, who are strongly rooted in supporting extended family both locally and abroad, these financial pressures can be even more pronounced. Ultimately, this reality underscores why issues like affordable housing, fair wages, and access to essential services remain so critical — they directly affect the ability of families to achieve stability, security, and a better future here in Hawaii.”
Michael Berueda, Democrat, Foster Village, Engineering, IT, Healthcare, a registered voter, also listed affordability and the rising cost of living as his top concern. “Hawaii has always carried a premium for paradise, but recent inflation has pushed many families to a breaking point. When basic necessities like groceries and utilities spike significantly, it isn’t just an inconvenience – it directly threatens the stability of the households. It forces families to work multiple jobs or make compromises on nutrition, education and long-term savings.”
A member of the Knights of Rizal and active member of Hawaii’s Filipino community, Berueda adds, “The budget required to host traditional family milestones or community events has gone up. Families who used to comfortably contribute to community initiatives are now tightly managing their finances to keep up with monthly and grocery runs.”
Another active Filipino community member, Carlota Ader, said “My top concern for Hawaii is the high cost of living. Despite the COVID pandemic ending several years ago, prices have not yet dropped to levels that are more affordable. Groceries, gas and other items are still very high.”
Marline Martin, 65, retired accounting clerk, Kapolei, a registered voter, joined the chorus of affordability as the top issue for the 2026 election. “Everything is high,” she said, pointing to the rising cost of mortgages, utility bills, gas, and food. She said her extended household has helped make those costs more manageable, but without that support, life would be far more difficult. Renting, she added, would be even harder given how expensive housing has become.
“I see the same pressures affecting many Filipino families in Hawaii. Families are shopping carefully, stretching meals, sharing expenses with relatives, and putting off certain needs because basic costs have become so high. While multigenerational living is common in Hawaii and rooted in culture, it has also become a financial necessity. That family support is a blessing, but it also shows how difficult it has become for younger people, seniors, and working parents to live independently or feel financially secure,” Martin said.
Marilyn Villar, President of Annak Ti Badoc Ti Hawaii, a registered voter, said the rising cost of living has become one of the most serious challenges facing Americans today. Across nearly every part of daily life — from rent, groceries, and gas to insurance, utilities, and childcare — prices have gone up while incomes have not kept pace. As a result, many families are struggling to afford even their basic needs. Villar said this economic pressure raises an important question for voters in 2026: How will elected leaders help address the financial struggles that so many people are going through?
The most recent available data shows that Filipino Americans in Hawaii have a median family income of about $102,324 per year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 estimates Hawaii Business Magazine. This places them second among Hawaii’s major ethnic groups in median family income, behind Japanese Americans at $114,825.
Other issues high on the minds of Filipino voters for 2026: 1) affordable housing, 2) affordable healthcare access, 3) overall economy and the high cost to run a small business, 4) fear that voters will elect politicians who will keep the status quo, 5) fear of socialism growing across the nation, 6) Homelessness
Roland Tagalicud, 32, Banking, Honolulu, registered voter, said affordable housing was his top concern because it affects whether local families can stay in Hawaii at all. “Many Filipino Americans have deep roots here, and many immigrant families came to Hawaii with the hope of building a stable life. But today, younger generations often wonder if they will be able to buy a home, rent a decent place, or raise their children here. I have heard people talk about moving to the mainland because housing costs are simply too high. That is painful because Hawaii is home, and when families are priced out, we lose not only workers, but also culture, community, and the local values that make Hawaii special.”
Berueda shares Roland’s concern. “The housing crisis in Hawaii is intimately tied to the preservation of community culture. Without accessible entry-level home ownership or stable, fair rental options, we face a continuous ‘brain drain’. Our youth, professionals and young families are increasingly priced out, forced to relocate to the mainland to build their future. It’s heartbreaking to watch multi-generational households fragment because the younger generation cannot find an affordable place to establish their own roots here.”
Homeownership: about 64.1% of Filipino Americans in Hawaii live in owner-occupied units, which can contribute to long-term wealth accumulation.
Delos Santos said affordable healthcare access remains a serious concern for many Filipino families in Hawaii because access is not only about whether services exist. It is also about whether families can afford care, find the time to seek it, and overcome the everyday barriers that often stand in the way.
She said even hardworking families with steady employment may delay doctor visits, prescriptions, or follow-up care because rent, food, utilities, and other basic expenses must come first. “When household budgets are stretched thin, medical needs are often postponed until conditions become more serious. Work demands add another layer of difficulty. Long hours, multiple jobs, and limited flexibility can make it hard for families to schedule appointments or maintain consistent care. Cultural values around resilience, privacy, and not wanting to burden others can also make it harder to seek help early, especially for mental health concerns. To me, the issue is clear: if people cannot realistically use the healthcare system when they need it, then access remains unequal. True healthcare access means making care not only available, but also affordable, reachable, and responsive to the realities families face every day,” Delos Santos said.
Phil Sabado, entrepreneur, Maui, Democrat, a registered voter, said the economy was his top concern. “As business owners on Maui, we are seeing firsthand how rising costs are affecting the local economy. Higher fuel prices contribute to more expensive airfare, fewer tourists, and emptier flights. When travel becomes too costly, visitors stay away — and the impact is visible,” Sabado said.
He gives a striking example of a rough economy. “Corned beef, a common grocery item, is now being locked up at Foodland because of theft,” he said.
Ader said her top concern for the nation is the rise of socialism and “especially those individuals who are actively working to destroy our great country and society as we know it. They not only hate America but want our country to fail and constantly spew rhetoric to eliminate our freedoms and force citizens to accept their radical agendas that ultimately take away our rights as citizens.”
Anonymous, Honolulu registered voter, “My concern is that those elected will continue with the status quo and not think of innovative solutions to bringing down the cost of living in Hawaii – taxes, food, groceries, energy. People are being priced out of the affordability of homes and middle-income families are being squeezed out of living here. Adding to that, the number of people – families, children, adults, kupuna are homeless.” Filipinos want change or the status quo?
Across several responses from Filipino community members in Hawaii, the strongest theme is a desire for change rather than satisfaction with the status quo. Comments suggest that many Filipino families are looking less for sweeping ideological shifts than for practical solutions that improve daily life.
Berueda said, “Based on conversations across the community, the sentiment leans strongly toward a desire for meaningful change, driven by a feeling that current systems are static or stagnant while everyday pressures are accelerating. While there is immense pride in our local heritage and deep gratitude for the stability we possess, the consensus among family and peers is that the current approach to governance is falling short on systemic challenges. People feel that policy implementations are moving too slowly to address structural economic burdens. There is a widespread desire for fresh leadership and proactive policies that go beyond ‘more of the same.’ The community wants to see decisive action on economic diversification, infrastructural updates that lower utility pressures, and concrete initiatives to support local small businesses—many of which are the lifeblood of Filipino families in Hawaii.”
Gloria Salvador, retired, Moanalua, a registered voter, said, “I do hear more people wanting change. There’s a common feeling that life has become too expensive and that government needs to do more to address the everyday struggles of working families. In the Filipino community, there is also a strong desire for practical solutions rather than just political promises. Many people are not necessarily looking for extreme change, but they want meaningful change that can be felt in daily life.”
Grace Manipol-Larson, East Hawaii Republican Party District 2 Chair, Hilo, Hawaii, a registered voter, said some people in the Filipino community with conservative ideas are asking for a change, especially the way our local government officials operate. They want accountability for taxpayers’ money.
“People want change of power. They want to elect people that are willing to really serve the interests of the people. They want DOGE to audit Hawaii, and establish DOGE Hawaii to monitor each politician’s projects, breakdown of expenses and audit its [the state] budget,” Manipol-Larson said.
Unanimous push: Filipinos must vote
All respondents said one of the clearest ways for Filipino Americans to make their concerns visible to elected leaders is to vote. Several respondents said voting honors the sacrifices of immigrant families and gives the community a stronger voice in decisions that affect daily life.
Views differed on how often eligible Filipinos vote. Some respondents said most Filipinos they know regularly cast ballots, while others described widespread disengagement, with many eligible voters failing to register or participate. Reasons cited included long work hours, family responsibilities, unfamiliarity with the election process, frustration with politics, and the belief that one vote will not make a difference.
Despite those barriers, the responses reflected a shared message: the Filipino community cannot afford to sit on the sidelines. Participants said voting is both a right and a responsibility.
Manipol-Larson said, “It is important for every registered Filipino voter to cast their vote. Every vote counts, especially since we have Filipino candidates all over Hawaii running.”
Delos Santos said, “Voting is about power and visibility. Simply put, when the community votes, it is harder to ignore. And when it doesn’t, it risks being left out of decisions that directly impact its future.”
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