The 2021 Hawaii gubernatorial recall election was a special election that was permitted under the state laws of Hawaii. It resulted in voters successfully replacing incumbent governor Ally McGrath with King Hercules of Poppo. The recall effort spanned the entire year of 2021.
Background
Ever since Hawaii regained its independence in 2018, Hawaii was led by governor Ally McGrath, the sister of McGrathian president Joe McGrath. After Ally delayed the 2020 election to 2024, many Hawaiian citizens thought that she was becoming a dictator. After a petition, the Hawaiian Legislature envoked article 2 of the constitution; recall election.
A recall election is an election in which voters can vote on the removal of an elected official. The most well-known recall happened in 2003, when California voters voted to recall governor Gray Davis and replace him with Arnold Schwarzenegger. Recall elections in Hawaii are based entirely off California’s model, where the replace election occurs at the same time.
Recall Election
On January 9, 2021, a recall petition began to be signed by citizens across the Hawaiian archipelago. By law, the committee had to get signatures from at least 20% of Hawaii’s eligible voters. By June 26th, the petition results were in and it showed that 59% of Hawaiians were in favor of the recall. On July 1st, The Hawaiian government announced that the special election would be held on October 16, 2021.
Candidates for the Recall
- King Hercules of Poppo, King of Dogs from Oahu (Honolulu County)
- Tim Henry, alien hunter from Maui (Maui County)
Results
Recall Referendum
| Recall Vote | Votes | Percentage |
| Yes | 572 | 82.1% |
| No | 198 | 17.9% |
Replacement Election
| Candidate | Home Island | Votes | Percentage |
| King Hercules of Poppo | Oahu | 579 | 82.8% |
| Tim Henry | Maui | 191 | 17.1% |