Hawaiʻi lawmakers still struggle to pass many accountability, transparency and ethics reform initiatives that would change the longtime status quo when it comes to elections and politics. Some new laws have been implemented since a special House Commission to Improve Standards of Conduct was empaneled in 2022 after two lawmakers were convicted on federal bribery charges. But bills that are politically harder like restrictions on campaign donations or public financing of campaigns have failed to pass.

In 2025, lawmakers came closer to approving stronger reforms but still fell short as the session came to an end, even as news reports continue to show the close connection between money and politics and the potential for corruption. Advocates have introduced dozens of bills aimed at making government more accountable, including again trying to curb pay-to-play politics involving state contractors and grantees and at trying to encourage more people to run for office through increasing the money for public financing of campaigns.

Legislative leaders say they have no interest in changing Hawaiʻi’s all-mail voting system. But they do hope to increase the number of voter centers open on election days.