Ernesto Montemayor "Sonny" Ganaden is an American attorney, politician, writer, artist, teacher, and filmmaker who served as a Democratic member of the Hawaii House of Representatives for District 30 from 2020 to 2024. He is affiliated with the Progressive Legislative Caucus, a coalition of left-wing legislators. Notable achievements include leading the writing of the 2012-2013 Native Hawaiian Justice Task Force Report, which highlighted the overrepresentation of Native Hawaiians in prisons, and defending Native Hawaiian elders arrested during protests against the Thirty Meter Telescope construction. As a representative, he advocated for investigating a U.S. Navy fuel release into Pearl Harbor. Ganaden has also directed the short film The Arrangements, premiered at the Hawai'i International Film Festival, and led the KVibe after-school program for Pacific Islander youth.

Education and Political Experience

Ganaden served as an instructor at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa in the departments of American studies and ethnic studies. His political experience includes his term in the Hawaii House , where he criticized private prisons and pushed for community needs to reduce crime. Prior to elected office, he worked as a lawyer focused on social justice issues and contributed as a journalist.