Hawai‘i Island continues to support Democratic leadership in State Legislature

Hawai‘i County voters continue to support Democratic leadership as Big Island incumbents for the Senate and House retain their seats, but it took hours for the results to come in after the polls closed.

People waited in line for hours to cast their ballot at voting service centers statewide. News outlets on O‘ahu reported people were still in line to vote at 11 p.m. at Honolulu’s satellite city hall site at Kapolei Hale in Kapolei.

After the first printout at 11:40 p.m. Tuesday and the second printout at 12:26 a.m. Wednesday, here are the results:

Incumbent Democrat senator Dru Kanuha, who represents Kona, Ka‘ū and Volcano in District 3, received 5,252 votes to beat Republican challenger Kurt “Sulli” Sullivan, who garnered 1,106 votes.

Incumbent Democrat representative Chris Todd, who represents a portion of Hilo, Keaukaha, Orchidlands Estate, Ainaloa, Hawaiian Acres, Fern Acres, portions of Kurtistown and Kea‘au in District 3, defeated his Republican challenger Kanoa Wilson with 4,719 votes. Wilson has garnered 2,224 votes, according to the first printout.

Democrat Rep. Greggor Ilagan, who represents Black Sands Beach Subdivision, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Hawaiian Beaches, Kalapana, Koa‘e, Leilani Estates, Nānāwale Estates, Pāhoa, Pohoiki and Seaview Estates in District 4, was challenged by Republican Keikilani Ho.

Ilagan received 5,485 votes to Ho’s 2,267 votes.

Democrat Rep. Jeanné Kapela, who represents portions of Kea‘au and Kurtistown, Mountain View, Glenwood, Fern Forest, Volcano, Pāhala, Punalu‘u, Nā‘ālehu, Wai‘ōhinu, Hawaiian Ocean View and Ho‘okena in District 5, received 4,976 votes to beat Republican Ashley Oyama (2,876 votes) and Libertarian Fredrick Fogel (257).

Democrat Rep. Kristin Kahaloa, who represents Hōnaunau, Nāpō‘opo‘o, Captain Cook, Kealakekua, Keauhou, Hōlualoa, Kailua-Kona in District 6, defeated Republican challenger Sylvie M. Madison. Kahaloa won with 5,352 votesto Madison’s 3,249.

Democrat Rep. Nicole Lowen, who represents Kailua-Kona, Honokōhau, Kalaoa, Pu‘uanahulu, Puakō and a portion of Waikōloa in District 7, captured 4,118 votes to defeat Republican challenger Timothy Dalhouse, who received 3,170.

Democrat Rep. David Tarnas, who represents Hawi, Hala‘ula, Waimea, Makahalau, Waiki‘i, Waikoloa, Kawaihae and Mahukona in District 8, beat Republican Monique Cobb-Adams Perreira. Tarnas received 5,332 votes with Perreira garnering 3,028.

The late Rep. Mark Nakashima, who represented Hāmākua, a portion of Hilo and Kaūmana in District 1, was the sole candidate on the ticket. He died in died in July from health complications at age 61.

Gov. Josh Green selected Matthias Kusch, a retired Hawaiʻi Fire Department Battalion Chief, as his successor.

Democrat Sen. Lorraine Inouye, representing Hilo, Pauka‘a, Papaikou and Pepe‘ekeo in District 1, won outright against challenger and fellow Democrat Laura Acasio in the primary election.

Sen. Tim Richards, a Democrat representing North Hilo, Hāmākua, Kohala, Waimea, Waikōloa and North Kona in District 4, ran unopposed to retain his seat.

Hawai‘i County Councilwoman Sue Lee Loy will serve in the House in District 2 to represent Hilo after beating fellow democrat Tanya Yamanaka in the primary. There was no Republican challenger. Lee Loy will replace Rep. Richard Onishi, who is retiring in the fall.