Main Street Pahoa

Jeanné Kapela

Democrat, State House of Representatives
District 5, Hawaiʻi
Time in office:
  • House: 2020-present

General Contact Info

Bio

Jeanné Kapela chairs the House Culture and Arts Committee. She is a classically trained ballet dancer and has performed with several national ballet groups. Kapela was Miss Hawai’i 2015 and won the title of Miss Congeniality at the Miss America competition.

Kapela was born in Kona and raised on a small coffee farm in the nearby town of Captain Cook. She graduated from Konawaena High School in 2012 and is a member of the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival board of directors and the Lions Club of Kona.

Kapela says growing up in poverty has made her a strong advocate for women and children including efforts to combat sexual slavery and sexual violence. Her Big Island district includes Kea‘au and Kurtistown, Mountain View, Glenwood, Fern Forest, Volcano, Pāhala, Punalu‘u, Nā‘ālehu, Wai‘ōhinu and Hawaiian Ocean View.

Leader Badges

Bill Activity

0

Of 61 bills:
2 Passed
58 Failed
1 Pending

For this session year, this legislator initiated 61 bills: 2 passed, 58 failed, and 1 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).

Candidate Contributions

$2.5K

Communications & Electronics

$1.5K

Labor

$5.2K

Uncoded

$8.7K

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
$17.9K

67.0% lower 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
$516.0

6.0% lower than the average legislators

Grand Total for Elections

$18.5K

65.0% lower 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 Jeanné Kapela

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 1815 1MIN
Apr 30, 2026

HB 1815

SFCA; Performing Arts Grants Program; Grants; King Kamehameha Celebration Commission; DAGS; DBEDT;...

Preview image for HB 1815 3MIN
Apr 29, 2026

HB 1815

SFCA; Performing Arts Grants Program; Grants; King Kamehameha Celebration Commission; DAGS; DBEDT;...

Preview image for HB 1815 42SEC
Apr 28, 2026

HB 1815

SFCA; Performing Arts Grants Program; Grants; King Kamehameha Celebration Commission; DAGS; DBEDT;...

Preview image for HB 1815 43SEC
Apr 27, 2026

HB 1815

SFCA; Performing Arts Grants Program; Grants; King Kamehameha Celebration Commission; DAGS; DBEDT;...

Preview image for HCR 162 50SEC
Mar 25, 2026

HCR 162

requesting the establishment of an arts data and mapping task force to...

Preview image for HR 152 1MIN
Mar 25, 2026

HR 152

requesting the establishment of an arts data and mapping task force to...

Preview image for HB 322 5MIN
Mar 10, 2026

HB 322

Elections; Motor Vehicle Permits and Licenses; Identification Cards

Preview image for HB 1769 3MIN
Mar 10, 2026

HB 1769

Corrections; Private, Out-of-state Prisons; Return to In-state Correctional Facilities; Reports

Preview image for HB 1768 5MIN
Mar 5, 2026

HB 1768

State and County Law Enforcement; Immigration Enforcement Actions; Prohibition

Preview image for HB 2045 5MIN
Feb 13, 2026

HB 2045

State Holidays; La Hoihoi Ea; Statehood Day

Preview image for HB 1770 1MIN
Feb 12, 2026

HB 1770

DOE; School Bus Driver Recruitment Grant Program; School Bus Driver Recruitment Special...

Preview image for HB 2604 5MIN
Feb 6, 2026

HB 2604

Performing Arts Ticket Surcharge; Performing Arts Grants Special Fund

View All Hearings

District

State House of Representatives District 5

Previous Election (2024):

Fogel, Frederick F.
2.9%
Kapela, Jeanne
56%
WON
Oyama, Ashley
33.8%

Census Data

Median age 0 10 20 30 40

Median age