HONOLULU — Honolulu City Council member Heidi Tsuneyoshi announced Tuesday that she is running for governor of Hawaii, joining an increasingly crowded field of primary candidates.

What You Need To Know

  • Tsuneyoshi has served on the Honolulu City Council for three years

  • Among Tsuneyoshi’s priorities is financial responsibility in government

  • Tsuneyoshi's primary rivals include Aloha Freedom Coalition founder Gary Cordero, retired Army officer Lynn Mariano and business consultant Paul Morgan 

  • U.S. Rep. Kai Kahele is believed to be interested in joining the race

Tsuneyoshi said she was motivated to run by the governmental inaction that has prompted many Hawaii residents to relocate to the mainland because they are unable to survive here.

“Now is the time to finally make the changes that have to happen for our future generations, so that we can continue to call this place our home and so we can tell our friends and family who have moved away to come home because there is a place for you’re here.”

Tsuneyoshi has served on the Honolulu City Council for three years, representing Mililani Mauka, Wahiawa, Mokuleia, Waialua, Haleiwa, Pupukea, Sunset Beach, Kahuku, Laie, Hauula, Punaluu, Kahana, Kaaawa, Kualoa, Waiahole and Kahaluu. She previously worked as a behavioral specialist with the state Department of Education.

Tsuneyoshi said her priorities include transparency and accountability, rebuilding trust in government, and systemic changes necessary to make the government “work for the people, not against the people.”

She also highlighted the need for more fiscal responsibility.

“I have seen as a Council member, with our budgets its not an issue of not having enough money, it’s an issue of how we are spending our money — our intentions of why and what we are spending our money on.”

Tsuneyoshi did not identify which party she seeks to represent but it is widely assumed that she will join a Republican field that already includes Aloha Freedom Coalition founder Gary Cordero, retired Army officer Lynn Mariano, business consultant Paul Morgan, businesswoman and former lieutenant governor candidate Marissa Kerns, and retired mixed martial artist and businessman B.J. Penn.

On the Democratic side, declared candidates include Lt. Gov. Josh Green, former Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell and businesswoman and former first lady of Hawaii Vicky Cayetano.

It has been widely speculated that U.S. Rep. Kai Kahele will also enter the race.