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Fred Fogel

Fred Fogel, the Libertarian nominee for Hawaii State Senate District 2, brings decades of consistent advocacy and local roots to his candidacy. Fogel has a long history with the Libertarian Party of Hawaii, running for office multiple times across cycles, including bids for state House and Senate seats. He has participated in races dating back at least to 2010 and beyond, often self-financing to maintain independence and helping secure ballot access for the party. He heavily emphasizes reducing government intervention, promoting individual freedom, term limits, campaign finance transparency, economic reforms like lowering regulations and taxes, education improvements through vouchers and local control, and eliminating minimum wage mandates.

 

Known for creative campaign tactics, Fogel has used life-sized cutouts of himself for signs to increase visibility. In community service, he has been involved with groups like the HOIE Community Association (former president), O Ka`u Kakou, Friends of Puna’s Future, and the Volcano Community Emergency Response Team.

In 2018, Fogel received around 22.4% in a House race. In 2024, he received about 3.2% in House District 5; in 2022, 4.4% (594 votes) in Senate District 2. His detailed positions include support for a flat tax system, public disclosure of major donors and votes, citizens initiatives, term limits, smaller bills with cost analyses, and expanding legislative session time without pay increases. He advocates for more trade education, reduced business regulations, no taxes on food/medicine, and greater parental choice in education.

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• Ballotpedia profile: https://ballotpedia.org/Fred_Fogel

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• 2024 Civil Beat Q&A: https://www.civilbeat.org/2024/10/candidate-qa-state-house-district-5-fred-fogel/

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• Earlier Q&As and Star-Advertiser profile: https://www.staradvertiser.com/2022/07/06/election/2022-election-frederick-f-fogel/

 

Fogel’s perseverance and deep local ties position him as a steady voice for Libertarian principles in a district covering areas like Keaau, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Pahoa, Volcano, and Mountain View. A retired F-4 Phantom Jet aviator who served in the U.S. Marines and Hawaii Air National Guard, Fogel later worked as a strategic planner, quality advisor, and civil engineer, including roles at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and advising the Hawaii State Department of Defense. Born in 1949, he has resided for many years in Volcano Village on Hawaii Island.

 

Austin Martin

Austin Martin, running for Hawaii House of Representatives District 3, represents a more recent but highly active generation of Libertarian leadership. At age 35 during his 2024 run, Martin is a musician, consultant, and homesteader residing in Mountain View on Hawaii Island. He is rarely seen without his ukulele, engaging communities through music, street performances, and direct volunteer service.

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Martin currently serves as Chairman of the Libertarian Party of Hawaii, testifies regularly on legislation, and pushes for liberty-oriented reforms. He is also the Chairman of the Hawaii chapter of Young Americans for Liberty and was elected unanimously as a regional representative on the Libertarian National Committee. 

In 2024, Martin received about 3.1% (276 votes) in House District 3.

 

His platform focuses on lowering the cost of living by addressing the Jones Act through state nullification or alternative ports, fighting corruption and judicial reform, term limits, legislative transparency, Sunshine Law accountability, economic liberty, reducing regulations on small businesses and land use, property rights, and building sustainable prosperity through freedom rather than government force. He signed the U.S. Term Limits pledge and emphasizes working across differences while upholding principles.

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Martin’s testimony and advocacy highlight issues like public corruption, economic opportunity for locals, and protecting individual rights. He describes himself is passionate about cleaning up government, restoring integrity, and empowering communities.

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• Ballotpedia profile: https://ballotpedia.org/Austin_Martin

• 2024 Civil Beat Q&A: https://civilbeat.org/2024/10/candidate-qa-state-house-district-3-austin-martin/

• Digital Democracy Advocate Profile: https://civilbeat.digitaldemocracy.org/people/191804

• Libertarian Party of Hawaii: LPHIChair@gmail.com