Hawaiʻi’s Green Party Finally Lodges Big Win After Decades

Pāʻele Kiakona’s victory in Hawaiʻi House District 14 marks the first time a Green Party candidate has won a seat in the state Legislature. Kiakona defeated Democrat Sne Patel and Republican Elle Cochran in the Nov. 3 election, ending decades without a Green legislative win in Hawaiʻi. Party members say the result has renewed hopes for a stronger third-party presence in state politics.