Kawaihae harbor on the Big Island
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David Tarnas

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

    News coverage of David Tarnas

    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:
    6 Passed
    0 Failed
    63 Pending

    For this session year, this legislator initiated 69 bills: 6 passed, 0 failed, and 63 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

    4.0% 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

    65.0% higher than the average legislators

    Grand Total for Elections

    $57.7K

    4.0% 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 2493
    AG; DCR; DAGS; WRONGFUL CONVICTION AND IMPRISONMENT; COMPENSATION; ANNUAL REPORT

    Committee: House Standing Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

    In Progress
    AG; DCR; DAGS; WRONGFUL CONVICTION AND IMPRISONMENT; COMPENSATION; ANNUAL REPORTCommittee: House Standing Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
    HB 1579
    LIGHT POLLUTION; OUTDOOR LIGHT FIXTURES

    Committee: House Standing Committee on Water & Land

    In Progress
    LIGHT POLLUTION; OUTDOOR LIGHT FIXTURESCommittee: House Standing Committee on Water & Land
    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 152459SEC
    Feb 26, 2026

    HB 1524

    PEDESTRIAN; VIOLATIONS; FINES; LIMITATION

    Preview image for HB 15234MIN
    Feb 26, 2026

    HB 1523

    PEDESTRIAN-CONTROL SIGNALS; TRAFFIC CODE; COUNTDOWN TIMER

    Preview image for HB 152331SEC
    Feb 26, 2026

    HB 1523

    PEDESTRIAN-CONTROL SIGNALS; TRAFFIC CODE; COUNTDOWN TIMER

    Preview image for HB 15243MIN
    Feb 26, 2026

    HB 1524

    PEDESTRIAN; VIOLATIONS; FINES; LIMITATION

    Preview image for HB 16281H
    Feb 25, 2026

    HB 1628

    HAWAII PAROLING AUTHORITY; DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION; COMPASSIONATE RELEASE

    Preview image for HB 15501MIN
    Feb 25, 2026

    HB 1550

    UNIFORM CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES ACT; DRUG PARAPHERNALIA; DRUG TESTING PRODUCTS

    Preview image for HB 155026SEC
    Feb 25, 2026

    HB 1550

    UNIFORM CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES ACT; DRUG PARAPHERNALIA; DRUG TESTING PRODUCTS

    Preview image for HB 16266MIN
    Feb 25, 2026

    HB 1626

    JUVENILE JUSTICE; MINORS; FEES; FINES; COURT COSTS; PENALTIES; PROHIBITED; COMMUNITY SERVICE

    Preview image for HB 16284MIN
    Feb 25, 2026

    HB 1628

    HAWAII PAROLING AUTHORITY; DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION; COMPASSIONATE RELEASE

    Preview image for HB 18863MIN
    Feb 25, 2026

    HB 1886

    LAW ENFORCEMENT; STATE AND COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT; FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT; STATE AND...

    Preview image for HB 188619MIN
    Feb 25, 2026

    HB 1886

    LAW ENFORCEMENT; STATE AND COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT; FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT; STATE AND...

    Preview image for HB 162645SEC
    Feb 25, 2026

    HB 1626

    JUVENILE JUSTICE; MINORS; FEES; FINES; COURT COSTS; PENALTIES; PROHIBITED; COMMUNITY SERVICE

    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 age010203040

    Median age