Karl Dicks

Karl Dicks ran for election for Mayor of Honolulu in Hawaii. He lost in the primary on August 10, 2024.

Dicks completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Karl Dicks was born in Sioux City, Iowa. He graduated from Sergeant Bluff-Luton High School. His professional experience includes working as a city councilman. He also has experience in metal fabrication; farming; as an EMT, firefighter, and part of the rescue squad; as a journeyman carpenter, millwright, welder, pipefitter, and fabricator; in auto body repair and mechanics; in electronics, electrical, AutoCAD drawings, and estimating. He is a member of the National Rifle Association and the United States Junior Chamber (Jaycees), where he serves as president.^[1]^[2]

Elections

2024

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Mayor of Honolulu

Incumbent Rick Blangiardi won election outright against Choon James, David Bourgoin, and Karl Dicks in the primary for Mayor of Honolulu on August 10, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Rick Blangiardi (Nonpartisan)	78.0	125,076
		Choon James (Nonpartisan)	14.4	23,087
	Submit photo	David Bourgoin (Nonpartisan)	3.9	6,231
		Karl Dicks (Nonpartisan)	3.7	5,908

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 160,302
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Kent Roller (Nonpartisan)
Alexander Schoolov (Nonpartisan)
Ku Lono Cuadra (Nonpartisan)
David D.W. Asing (Nonpartisan)
Zachary Burd (Nonpartisan)
Carlos De Vito-Cromwell (Nonpartisan)
Reginald Nakamoto (Nonpartisan)
Kevin Pila (Nonpartisan)

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Dicks in this election.

2022

General election

General election for Hawaii State Senate District 17

Incumbent Donovan Dela Cruz defeated Anna Hudson in the general election for Hawaii State Senate District 17 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Donovan Dela Cruz (D)	65.2	11,555
	Submit photo	Anna Hudson (R)	34.8	6,168

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 17,723
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Hawaii State Senate District 17

Incumbent Donovan Dela Cruz advanced from the Democratic primary for Hawaii State Senate District 17 on August 13, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Donovan Dela Cruz	100.0	8,918

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 8,918
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Hawaii State Senate District 17

Anna Hudson defeated Karl Dicks in the Republican primary for Hawaii State Senate District 17 on August 13, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Anna Hudson	69.7	2,277
		Karl Dicks	30.3	990

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 3,267
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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2020

General election

General election for Mayor of Honolulu

Rick Blangiardi defeated Keith Amemiya in the general election for Mayor of Honolulu on November 3, 2020.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Rick Blangiardi (Nonpartisan)	60.0	224,474
	Keith Amemiya (Nonpartisan)	40.0	149,735

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 374,209
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Mayor of Honolulu

The following candidates ran in the primary for Mayor of Honolulu on August 8, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Rick Blangiardi (Nonpartisan)	25.6	69,661
✔		Keith Amemiya (Nonpartisan)	20.2	55,116
		Colleen Hanabusa (Nonpartisan)	18.4	50,234
		Kymberly Marcos Pine (Nonpartisan)	14.7	40,104
		Mufi Hannemann (Nonpartisan)	9.9	27,027
	Submit photo	William Stonebraker (Nonpartisan)	6.5	17,757
		Choon James (Nonpartisan)	2.0	5,538
		John Carroll (Nonpartisan)	0.7	2,011
	Submit photo	Ho Yin Wong (Nonpartisan)	0.5	1,437
	Submit photo	Ernest Caravalho (Nonpartisan)	0.4	1,140
	Submit photo	Audrey Keesing (Nonpartisan)	0.3	823
	Submit photo	Micah Mussell (Nonpartisan)	0.2	541
	Submit photo	David Bourgoin (Nonpartisan)	0.1	368
		Karl Dicks (Nonpartisan)	0.1	361
	Submit photo	Tim Garry (Nonpartisan)	0.1	313

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 272,431
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

Karl Dicks completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Dicks' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I grew up in Iowa mostly on small acreage. We had pigs, sheep, horses and cows etc. I have a clear understanding of how responsibility is not always convenient or easy. The chores had to be done regardless of how you felt or what the weather may be doing. With this responsibility came a freedom that I would guess many may never experience. I could walk out into the pasture jump on my horse, no saddle needed ride down to the pond, and spend time with my brothers or sometimes alone. I have always worked hard. I have been blessed to work in or experience many of the trades or jobs. Farmer, Journeyman Carpenter, Heavy equipment operator, Masonry work, Electrical, electronics, plumber, pipe fitter, Welder, Millwright, mechanic, Fire fighter 1, Emt-A, City council, Jaycee president, Union steward (Teamsters), and even more. My life experiences have given me a well-rounded and different perspective of how things truly are and have many ideas of how things could be. I see myself as someone that can find solutions or take the initiative to change direction for possibly better results. I am a simple man, happy and comfortable with where I am. I see a desperate need for Hawaii to be encouraged to change its course and move back to a part time government, not career politicians, a butcher, a baker and candle stick maker. More recently I have studied the election laws of Hawaii. I have written several court cases to bring accountability. I am 1 of many ,we the people.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Honolulu has grown to large to be represented by only 1 mayor and 1 city council. I will advocate for people in cities that feel the need to be involved in their community to incorporate and form their own city structure. I attended all 11 Town Halls. There was 1 thing that was said in every town hall, said by many people, "each area is different and has it own problems and issues". It is clear to me that opportunity for local leadership must be offered. Then it is up to the people of that community to lead their city or town. Give them the power, responsibility, and opportunity for their families, friends to determine their future.
More government and more regulations, laws and restrictions is not the answer. More big infrastructure, big expensive projects is not the answer for Hawaii. As mayor I will promote individual responsibility and opportunities. I do not believe you should only have 3 styles of mailboxes, or 10 colors to choose from for your house. I do not believe in regulating every detail of your life and forcing you to conform. I do not believe in bans or mandates. If there is an issue, Come let’s talk story. Let’s see what we can do together.
Hawaii is DOOMED if we continue with this tourism-based economy. We need to move back to family farming, not corporate operations. Big ugly windmills is not what I see as Hawaii's future. Massive solar panel farms are covering the aina we should be using to grow food or raise livestock on. Local manufacturing and local business to restore the aloha. If cities decide to be their own city, it will create local friendly competition and grow communities with a local personal touch. Focus on education of the children to have basic skills for life. Break up the power structure of Honolulu and let communities decide what’s best for them. It is clear our current direction is failing.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Individual/Self regulation and responsibility, Family, community, education, local business, local farming, local manufacturing, Community safety, crime, drugs.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Constitution State of Hawaii, United States.

Law of Nations by Vatel, 1758
Magna Carta

Bible

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

What do the people and communities want, not what I think they need.
Not my agenda, my assistance.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

To guide not direct the people who elected you.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

detassiling corn 2 summers

A mayor is a leader in his or her city. What does that mean to you?

It is an opportunity to share my life experiences and possibly see people and communities excel. More from them, family and community, less from Government

If the mayor in your city is a member of the city council and there's a city manager appointed to handle the day-to-day administration of the city government, what do you believe should be the mayor's top priority in office?

Mayor and city manager or director should run as a team.

Get the city budget under control!!
simple common sense traffic solutions.

Get the city government off the backs of and out of the pockets of people who elect them.

If the mayor in your city is not a member of the city council and oversees the day-to-day administration of the city government, what do you believe is the ideal relationship between the mayor and city council?

Everyone must work together

What do you love most about your city?

It is not like a big city.

It is more local

Friendly people

What do you perceive to be your city's greatest challenges over the next decade?

To get off the on band wagon of the worlds agenda

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between your city and the state government?

communicate, get along with all 3 branches

work it out
it is your responsibility

everyone must be held accountable, including Attorney General, and judicial system and courts.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between your city and the federal government?

communicate, get along

work it out
it is your responsibility

everyone must be held accountable, including Federal law enforcement, and District courts.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the mayor's office and law enforcement?

Common sense safety, everyone must be held accountable, including prosecutor, and courts.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

audits across the board!!!

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

2022

Karl Dicks did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

Karl Dicks completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Dicks' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Born and raised in Iowa, graduated Sgt. Bluff-Luton High school, 1979.

Fire Fighter 1, and an EMT-A for 8 years in the City of Salix. 
Salix City Council. 
Jaycee President Salix.
Union steward Teamsters, AGP a soybean facility . 
 Carpenters Union.
Moved to Oahu Hawaii in 1989. 
Worked in Carpenters Union     
Millwright for H&H Engineering. I worked on interisland cruise boats, Constitution and Independence.

H&H C&C of Honolulu Waste Water treatment facilities. 1990 metal fabrication railings, fences and gates using specialty metals like stainless, brass, copper and titanium.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

RESTORE FAMILY
RESTORE INTEGRITY
RESTORE ALOHA

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

CORRUPTION IN: Government, Family Court, Police department, Politics, Our streets.

Modernize how we do our daily activities. Better Networking. Streamline Government processes ie. Satellite City Hall. DPP, DMV, Education, and so much more.

We need to elect Sheriff, Police Cheif to return accountability. More elected not appointed positions.
Neighborhood boards do not work. We need more than 1 mayor on Oahu and more than 1 City Council
Need an elected Election Commissioner.
Traffic,
Utilities in Honolulu have been Neglected.
Unfunded Liabilities
Finally, settle the dispute with the overthrow of the Kingdom. Fulfill promises and treaties that were made. To unite the people of Hawaii again.

Diversify our economy. Restore local Farming and agriculture. Bring manufacturing to Hawaii. Make Hawaii the Hub Of the Pacific.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

so many of the founding fathers, and the patriots, families that fought, died and survived to make this great country what it has become and should be. We need to Restore the basics and our foundation and our base principles. We need to step up with not just vision but to really see what tommorow looks like for future generations.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

read any book you can. Join your local chapter of Jaycees or start one.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

To serve responsibly, with intergrity and aloha

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

determined, not just vision I see it already finished, I listen and learn, passionate about everything I do

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Be an example of leadership, faith and vision

What legacy would you like to leave?

I always did my best.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Death and funeral of Kennedy

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

detasseling corn 2 summers age 14

What is your favorite book? Why?

Bible, the answer is there

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Wow, never thought about it. I am just happy to be me.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

It is a long way to the top, ACDC ( It is harder than it looks)

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Life is a struggle. You will find strength in your weakness if you look, and ask God to help you change it.

A mayor is a leader in his or her city. What does that mean to you?

Everything falls on the Mayor's shoulders. The people look up the Mayor for so many things. The Mayor should have the peoples needs first and foremost.

Mayors have many responsibilities, which vary from city to city. Which of those do you personally consider the most important in your city?

every single one, Intergrity First

If the mayor in your city is a member of the city council and there's a city manager appointed to handle the day-to-day administration of the city government, what do you believe should be the mayor's top priority in office?

Achieve as many of the goals as I set forth , and to serve the needs of the people.

If the mayor in your city is not a member of the city council and oversees the day-to-day administration of the city government, what do you believe is the ideal relationship between the mayor and city council?

Achieve as many of the goals as I set forth , and to serve the needs of the people.

What do you love most about your city?

ALOHA

What do you perceive to be your city's greatest challenges over the next decade?

we are our biggest enemy. The division is the method that will destroy us. We need to unite and make the tough decisions together. Then there will be less problems to face.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between your city and the state government?

Wide-open Integrity

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between your city and the federal government?

Wide-open Integrity

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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Footnotes

↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on July 25, 2020
↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on July 16, 2024

[bio-1] Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on July 25, 2020

[2] Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on July 16, 2024

[1]

[2]

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Karl Dicks

Biography

Elections

2024

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Mayor of Honolulu

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Endorsements

2022

General election

General election for Hawaii State Senate District 17

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Hawaii State Senate District 17

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Hawaii State Senate District 17

2020

General election

General election for Mayor of Honolulu

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Mayor of Honolulu

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

2022

2020

See also

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Footnotes

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