Sylvia Luke announces she will not seek re-election for lieutenant governor of Hawaiʻi

Sylvia Luke, who has been at the center of a state public corruption probe, announced Sunday afternoon that she will not seek re-election to a second term as lieutenant governor of Hawaiʻi.

With Luke out of the race, it provides an easier path for term-limited Kauaʻi Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami, who previously announced his candidacy for Hawaiʻi’s second highest position on March 17.

In a statement, Luke said she made her decision not to seek re-election after a long discussion with her family and close friends.

For months, she has been at linked to a public corruption case in which an “influential legislator” allegedly received about $35,000 in a paper bag. The case is being investigated by the office of state Attorney General Anne Lopez.

Luke reportedly acknowledged she might be the “influential state legislator” cited in federal court documents, but she told state media outlets that checks were returned.

Luke said in the statement it was a “difficult decision” not to seek re-election.

“Serving the people of Hawai‘i has been an honor, and my family has always been supportive of my passion for this work,” she said.

But despite the probe, she said she is not stepping down.

“But the last three months have been difficult, making the rigors of campaigning exceptionally burdensome for my family,” Luke said. “While I have always been a fighter, I cannot tolerate the toll that they are paying. I intend to continue doing the job I was elected to do, offering my best effort to the people of Hawai‘i every day.”

No one, including Kawakami, has officially filed yet to run for lieutenant governor, according to the state candidates’ report.

But according to the latest State of Hawaiʻi Campaign Spending Commission Disclosure report ending Dec. 31, 2025, Kawakami already has amassed a campaign war chest that has raised nearly $400,000 with $140,000 in expenditures.

Kawakami said in a statement to Kauaʻi Now: “I respect Sylvia’s decision and deeply appreciate her nearly three decades of public service to Hawaiʻi. She has dedicated so much to our state, and I am grateful for her commitment and contributions to the people of Hawaiʻi.”

Kawakami added that his decisition to run “was rooted in my desire to continue serving, and we will remain focused on delivering results on the issues that matter most to our communities.”