The low voter turnout in State of Hawaiʻi reflects the complete lack of trust in the government. It's a de facto "no confidence" vote, the natural result of a pacified and overworked population with no time for the niceties of reading newspapers and civic engagement. Keep the hamsters running on the wheel and theyʻll never put a cog in it. Itʻs exactly how the power structure likes it. The trick to turning this around is getting people into office who truly reflect all of Hawaiʻiʻs ethnic minorities. Kanaka Maoli particularly, who have the historical burden of seeing their ancestorsʻ government overthrown (by American descended annexationists backed by American military) need to see trustworthy Kanaka Maoli candidates on the ballot before they can be expected to turn out in force. Though not complete by any means, seeing the popularity of Kaniela Ing shows this transition is underway.