Gov. Josh Green appoints Joe Gedeon to Hawaii House District 18

Democratic Governor Josh Green has appointed Republican Joe Gedeon to succeed the late Rep. Gene Ward in representing Hawaii House District 18, which includes Hawaii Kai, Kalama Valley, and surrounding East O‘ahu areas. Ward, the longest-serving member of the Hawaii House with 27 years of service, retired due to health issues at the end of March and died shortly after on April 4. Gedeon, a Hawaii Kai native and local businessman with a background in marketing and community service, was selected from three candidates submitted by the Hawaii Republican Party after a 60-day selection process. He will serve until the next election in November 2026 and aims to uphold Ward's legacy of community commitment, accountability, and public service. Governor Green praised Gedeon's willingness to fill the considerable void left by Ward, emphasizing the importance of dedicated service to the district. Gedeon's extensive community involvement includes leadership roles in local organizations such as the Waikiki Rotary Club, American Advertising Federation of Hawaii, and the Central YMCA.