1978 Hawaii gubernatorial election

{{Infobox election

| election_name = 1978 Hawaii gubernatorial election

| country = Hawaii

| type = presidential

| ongoing = no

| previous_election = 1974 Hawaii gubernatorial election

| previous_year = 1974

| next_election = 1982 Hawaii gubernatorial election

| next_year = 1982

| election_date = November 7, 1978

| image1 =File:George Ariyoshi, 1974 (cropped).jpg

| nominee1 = George Ariyoshi

| running_mate1 = Jean King

| party1 = Democratic Party (United States)

| popular_vote1 = 153,394

| percentage1 = 54.5%

| image2 = 3x4.svg

| nominee2 = John Leopold

| running_mate2 = Virginia Isbell

| party2 = Republican Party (United States)

| popular_vote2 = 124,610

| percentage2 = 44.3%

| map_image = 1978 Hawaii gubernatorial election results map by county.svg

| map_size = 310px

| map_caption = County results
Ariyoshi: {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}} {{legend0|#584cde|70–80%}}

| title = Governor

| before_election = George Ariyoshi

| after_election = George Ariyoshi

| before_party = Democratic Party (United States)

| after_party = Democratic Party (United States)

}}

The 1978 Hawaii gubernatorial election was Hawaii's sixth gubernatorial election. The election was held on November 7, 1978, and resulted in a victory for the Democratic candidate, Governor George Ariyoshi over Republican candidate, State Senator John R. Leopold{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=9115 |title=Candidate – John R. Leopold |publisher=Our Campaigns |access-date=2013-02-23}} and three other candidates. Ariyoshi received more votes than any other candidate in every county in the state.{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=28670 |title=HI Governor Race – Nov 07, 1978 |publisher=Our Campaigns |access-date=2013-02-23}}

Primaries

Primary elections were held on October 7, 1978.

=Democratic primary=

Candidates and primary votes:{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=28844 |title=HI Governor - D Primary Race - Oct 07, 1978 |publisher=Our Campaigns |access-date=2013-02-23}}

George Ariyoshi, governor: 50.30%
Frank Fasi, Mayor of Honolulu: 48.91%
Billy Kuaiwa: 0.53%
Valentine Huihui: 0.26%

=Republican primary=

Candidates and primary votes:{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=756839 |title=HI Governor - R Primary Race - Oct 07, 1978 |publisher=Our Campaigns |access-date=2013-02-23}}

John R. Leopold, state senator: 91.56%
Valentine K. Wessel: 4.88%
Gabriel Juarez: 3.56%

=Nonpartisan Primary=

Candidates and primary votes:{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=735655 |title=HI Governor - NP Primary Race - Oct 07, 1978 |publisher=Our Campaigns |access-date=2013-02-23}}

Alema Leota: 58.85%
Frank Pore: 41.15%