The election was held on November 6, 1962, and resulted in a victory for the Democratic candidate, former Territorial Delegate John A. Burns over Republican William F. Quinn, the incumbent Governor of Hawaii.

Burns received more votes than Quinn in every county in the state.

This is the only time that an incumbent governor of Hawaii lost reelection.

William F. Quinn experienced a contested Republican primary against Lt. Gov.

[2] Burns faced only nominal opposition in the Democratic primary, receiving 90.19% of the vote.