2020 Mayoral Candidate Survey

October 1, 2020

In September, the ACLU of Hawai‘i sent a questionnaire to the two candidates running for Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu, as well as the two candidates running for Mayor of the County of Hawai‘i in the 2020 general election. We crafted this questionnaire to highlight key civil rights and civil liberties issues affecting the people of Hawai‘i, and to allow voters to make informed decisions. Question topics include privacy and technology, racism, public health and safety, policing, and houselessness*. Candidates were required to respond to each question with “YES” or “NO,” with the option to elaborate on their position with a longer written response.

Check out some of their answers below. Read their full survey responses at the bottom of the page.

Learn more about our policy work.


Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu: Rick Blangiardi and Keith Amemiya

Honolulu Mayor Jail Question

Honolulu Mayor Racism Question

Honolulu Mayor Police Question

Honolulu Mayor Police Misconduct Question

Honolulu Mayor Covid Sweeps Question

Honolulu Mayor Sweeps Question

Honolulu Mayor Privacy Question

Mayor of the County of Hawai‘i: Mitch Roth and Ikaika Marzo

Hawaii Mayor Jail Question

Hawaii Mayor Racism Question

Hawaii Mayor Police Question

Hawaii Mayor Police Misconduct Question

Hawaii Mayor Covid Sweeps Question

Hawaii Mayor Sweeps Question

Hawaii Mayor Privacy Question

The general election is on November 3, 2020. Don't forget to mail in your ballot by October 27, 2020! To learn more about mail-in voting in Hawai‘i, visit our 2020 Election Guide.

*For purposes of question 6 on the questionnaire for the candidates for Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu only, the term “sweeps” refers to enforcement actions taken by the City and County against houseless individuals or encampments pursuant to the City and County of Honolulu’s Stored Property Ordinance or Sidewalk Nuisance Ordinance. This also includes the threat of enforcement.