Both the Democratic and Republican primaries were contested, with the primary votes held on October 3, 1970.
Governor Burns became ill to the point of incapacitation for the last year of this term, and although he remained the governor in name, Lt. Gov.George Ariyoshi took the role of acting governor from October 26, 1973 until the end of this term on December 2, 1974.[2][3]
As of 2022, this is the most recent Hawaii gubernatorial election in which both candidates are now deceased.