1994 Hawaii gubernatorial election

For related races, see 1994 United States gubernatorial elections.

The 1994 Hawaii gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1994. Incumbent Democratic Governor of Hawaii John D. Waihee III was prevented from seeking a third term as Governor due to term limits, creating an open seat. Lieutenant Governor Ben Cayetano emerged from a crowded primary to become the Democratic nominee, facing off against former Administrator of the Small Business Administration Pat Saiki, the Republican nominee and Honolulu Mayor Frank Fasi, who ran as the Best Party of Hawaii's nominee. In a very close election, Cayetano beat Fasi, who placed second, by six percentage points and Saiki, who placed third, winning only a plurality of the vote. Fasi's performance was notable in that it was the best performance by a third party gubernatorial candidate in Hawaii's history.

1994 Hawaii gubernatorial election

November 8, 1994

Nominee Ben Cayetano Frank Fasi Pat Saiki Party Democratic BPH Republican Running mate Mazie Hirono Danny Kaleikini Fred Hemmings Popular vote 134,978 113,158 107,908 Percentage 36.6% 30.7% 29.2%

County results Cayetano:      30–40%      40–50%

Governor before election John Waihee Democratic Elected Governor Ben Cayetano Democratic

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Ben Cayetano, Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii
• John C. Lewin, Hawaii Director of Health
• Bu La'ia
• George Nitta, Jr., radio personality
• Anthony N. Hodges, perennial candidate
• Al Canopin, Jr.
• Elbert Marshall

Results

Democratic primary results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Ben Cayetano	110,782	55.04
	Democratic	John C. Lewin	76,666	38.09
	Democratic	Bu La'ia	5,761	2.86
	Democratic	George Nitta, Jr.	3,505	1.74
	Democratic	Anthony N. Hodges	2,854	1.42
	Democratic	Al Canopin, Jr.	1,111	0.55
	Democratic	Elbert Marshall	607	0.30
Total votes			201,286	100.00

Republican primary

Candidates

• Pat Saiki, former Administrator of the Small Business Administration, former Congresswoman, 1990 Republican nominee for the United States Senate
• Stuart Todd Gregory
• Charles Y. Hirayasu
• Robert Measel, Jr.

Results

Republican primary results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Pat Saiki	49,953	92.38
	Republican	Stuart Todd Gregory	2,278	4.21
	Republican	Charles Y. Hirayasu	1,079	2.00
	Republican	Robert Measel, Jr.	765	1.41
Total votes			54,075	100.00

General election

Results

Hawaii gubernatorial election, 1994

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Ben Cayetano	134,978	36.58%	−23.25%
	Best Party of Hawaii	Frank Fasi	113,158	30.67%
	Republican	Pat Saiki	107,908	29.24%	−9.36%
	Green	Kioni Dudley	12,969	3.51%
Majority			21,820	5.91%	−15.31%
Turnout			369,013
	Democratic hold		Swing