Kawaihae harbor on the Big Island

David Tarnas

Democrat, State House of Representatives
District 8, Hawaiʻi
Time in office:
  • House: 2018-present
  • House: 1994-1998

General Contact Info

Bio

David Tarnas is chair of the influential House Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs Committee. He is co-author of the Hawai’i Ocean Resources Management Plan (1990), co-founding board member of Malama Kai Foundation, a former UH Sea Grant extension agent for West Hawai’i and author the 1998 law that created the West Hawai’i Regional Fishery Management Area. 

First elected in 1994, Tarnas served two terms then left the Legislature, returning to the House after 20 years. He’s worked as a planning consultant and meeting facilitator on projects in Hawaiʻi to develop harbors, highways, farms, ranches, fishponds and forest plantations, as well as scientific research facilities and renewable energy projects. He represents Niuli‘i, Hāwī, Kapa‘au, Kawaihae, Waimea, Waiki‘i and Waikoloa.

Leader Badges

Bill Activity

0

Of 69 bills:
2 Passed
61 Failed
6 Pending

For this session year, this legislator initiated 69 bills: 2 passed, 61 failed, and 6 are currently pending.

Alignment Meter

See all-time percentage of this legislator’s alignment with any organization based on total votes.

xx% votes: xx

Financials

This feature tracks sources of money intended to help a candidate win election.

Election

This display shows money given directly to the incumbent’s campaign committee (NOTE: The industry categories for donors come from Open Secrets, a nonpartisan research organization for campaign finance. Some contributions are “uncoded,” meaning they have not been assigned to an industry sector. As a result, the total for each sector is also an estimate).

Agriculture

$1.0K

Candidate Contributions

$4.0K

Communications & Electronics

$2.1K

Construction

$5.1K

Energy & Natural Resources

$250.0

Finance, Insurance & Real Estate

$6.3K

General Business

$6.2K

Health

$850.0

Ideology/Single Issue

$300.0

Labor

$9.2K

Lawyers & Lobbyists

$2.4K

Transportation

$1.3K

Uncoded

$17.9K

Candidate Donations

Individuals, corporations, organizations and committees are limited to a maximum donation to candidates of $4000 for the Senate and $2000 for the house.

Total
$56.8K

5.0% higher than the average legislators

Independent Expenditures

Money from Independent Expenditure Committees (IEC) for advertising or grassroots activity targeting a candidates run for office is unlimited, but it cannot be spent in coordination with the candidate or the candidate's campaign.

Total
$888.0

62.0% higher than the average legislators

Grand Total for Elections

$57.7K

8.0% higher than the average legislators

This is a total of the money targeting this legislator's campaign(s) including direct donations to the candidate, money spent by Independent Expenditure Committees and money from political parties.


Influence

There are two categories of donations to legislators after they are elected that encourage a working relationship between the donor and the legislator. The categories are: 1-Gifts, 2-Travel.

No personal gifts data found

Policy

Bills Authored by David Tarnas

HB 1518
DHS; SNAP; Incarcerated Individuals; Felony Drug Offenders; Pre-Release Application Process

Committee: House Standing Committee on Human Services & Homelessness

Passed
DHS; SNAP; Incarcerated Individuals; Felony Drug Offenders; Pre-Release Application Process Committee: House Standing Committee on Human Services & Homelessness
HB 1548
Penal Code; Misdemeanors; Sentencing; Nonviolent Offenses

Committee: House Standing Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Passed
Penal Code; Misdemeanors; Sentencing; Nonviolent Offenses Committee: House Standing Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
HB 1516
Pretrial Release; Bail

Committee: House Standing Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Failed
Pretrial Release; Bail Committee: House Standing Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
View All Bills

Committees

Most of the policy work in the Hawai’i state Capitol is done in “Standing” committees.

Hearings

Featured Comments

Below are links to the video and transcript of recent, substantive comments by this legislator in committee hearings or floor sessions.

Preview image for HB 1628 1MIN
Apr 30, 2026

HB 1628

Hawaii Paroling Authority; Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; Compassionate Release; Reports; Appropriation

Preview image for HB 1548 2MIN
Apr 29, 2026

HB 1548

Penal Code; Misdemeanors; Sentencing; Nonviolent Offenses

Preview image for HB 1550 3MIN
Apr 29, 2026

HB 1550

DOH; Uniform Controlled Substances Act; Drug Paraphernalia; Drug Testing Products; Qualifying Patients;...

Preview image for HB 1516 2MIN
Apr 23, 2026

HB 1516

Pretrial Release; Bail

Preview image for HB 1548 2MIN
Mar 10, 2026

HB 1548

Penal Code; Misdemeanors; Sentencing; Nonviolent Offenses

Preview image for HB 2494 7MIN
Mar 10, 2026

HB 2494

Judiciary; Arrests; Warrantless; Citations; Reports

Preview image for HB 1516 2MIN
Mar 10, 2026

HB 1516

Pretrial Release; Bail

Preview image for HB 1886 8MIN
Mar 10, 2026

HB 1886

Law Enforcement; State and County Law Enforcement; Federal Law Enforcement; State and...

Preview image for HB 2413 13MIN
Mar 10, 2026

HB 2413

Bail; Pretrial Release; Nonviolent Offenders

Preview image for HB 2413 5MIN
Mar 5, 2026

HB 2413

Bail; Pretrial Release; Nonviolent Offenders

Preview image for HB 1516 2MIN
Mar 5, 2026

HB 1516

Pretrial Release; Bail

Preview image for HB 1516 3MIN
Mar 4, 2026

HB 1516

Pretrial Release; Bail

View All Hearings

District

State House of Representatives District 8

Previous Election (2024):

Perreira, Monique Cobbadams
35.8%
Tarnas, David A.
59.4%
WON

Census Data

Median age 0 10 20 30 40

Median age