Karin Stanton | Hawaii 24/7 Contributing Editor
The governor’s seat and all nine council seats are on the slate this year, as are numerous state and U.S. congressional seats.
While much of the state’s attention looks to be focused on the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, many voters on the Big Island will surely be watching the six contested council races.
The filing deadline was 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 20, officially kicking off the election season. The primary election is Sept. 18, with the General Election slated for Nov. 2.
Council candidates who secure 51 percent plus one vote in the primary election will win the seat outright. In closer races, the top two candidates will face each other in the General Election.
Council races are nonpartisan, but that has not stopped some contentious and tumultuous moments during council sessions during this two-year term.
A coup ousted the vice chairman and several committee chairs, which resulted in the council being sued for violating the state’s Sunshine Law.
None of the council members are bound by term limits and all nine incumbents are seeking to remain in their seats. Three are running unopposed.
Council candidates by District
* District 1 – Hamakua, North Hilo, and portions of South Hilo (Hakalau, Honomu, Pepeekeo, Papaikou, Kaiwiki)
Incumbent Dominic Yagong is running unopposed. He served 1996-2002 and was reelected in 2006.
* District 2 – South Hilo (Amaulu, Puueo, portions of Downtown Hilo, Lanakila, Waianuenue, Kaumana, Ainako, Piihonua, portions of Waiakea Homesteads)
Incumbent Donald Ikeda is finishing his second term.
Sammye-Ann Young of Hilo
* District 3 – South Hilo (Waiakea Homesteads and Waiakea-Uka) and Puna (Keaau, Kurtistown, Orchidland, and Mountain View)
Incumbent J Yoshimoto is running unopposed. He is finishing his second term.
* District 4 – South Hilo (Keaukaha, Panaewa, Waiakea Houselots, portions of Downtown Hilo, University and portions of Waiakea Homesteads)
Incumbent Dennis “Fresh” Onishi is running unopposed. He is finishing his first term.
* District 5 – Puna Makai (Hawaiian Paradise Park, Ainaloa, Pahoa Village, Hawaiian Beaches & Shores, Nanawale, Leilani, Kapoho, Kalapana, Opihikao, Kahena, Pohoiki)
Incumbent Emily Naeole-Beason is finishing her second term.
Fred Blas of Pahoa
Barbara Lively of Pahoa
James Weatherford of Keaau
Loren Baker of Hilo filed to run, but withdrew his candidacy
* District 6 – Puna (Kurtistown, Mt. View, Volcano), Kau (Pahala, Naalehu, HOVE), and South Kona (Milolii, Hookena, and portions of Honaunau)
Incumbent Guy Enriques is finishing his first term
Marie Burns of Ocean View
Maile David of Captain Cook
Brittany Smart of Hilo
* District 7 – South Kona (portions of Honaunau, Capt. Cook, Kealakekua), and North Kona (Kainaliu, Keauhou, Kahaluu, Holualoa)
Incumbent Brenda Ford is finishing her second term
Enock Freire of Kailua-Kona
Steven Texeira of Kealakekua filed to run, but withdrew his candidacy
* District 8 – North Kona (Kailua-Kona, Kealakehe, Kalaoa, Puuanahulu)
Incumbent Kelly Greenwell is finishing his first term
Debbie Hecht of Kailua-Kona
K. Angel Pilago of Kailua-Kona
Jim Rath of Kailua-Kona
* District 9 – North and South Kohala (Waikoloa, Waimea, Hawi, Halaula)
Incumbent Pete Hoffmann was first elected in 2004.
J. William (Bill) Sanborn of Waimea
Raynard Torres of Hawi
Governor’s Race
In what is widely regarded as a three-man race, the governor’s campaign begins with 11 candidates from four parties.
The Democratic race looks to be focused on former congressman Neil Abercrombie and former Honolulu mayor Mufi Hannemann. Both men resigned their posts to make a run for the governor’s mansion – Hannemann stepped down hours before the filing deadline Tuesday.
Other Democrats include: Arturo Reyes of Waipahu; Miles Shitatori of Kaneohe; and Van Tanabe of Honolulu.
The Republican campaign is led by Lt. Gov. James “Duke” Aiona, who does not need to step down as his term is ending. John Carroll is the only other Republican candidate.
Non partisan candidates include: Tony Clapes of Honolulu; Paul Manner of Honolulu; and Tom Pollard of Kailua.
The lone Big Island candidate is Daniel Cunningham of Hilo. He is running under the Free Energy banner.
Lieutenant Governor
Seven Democrats are among the 11 candidates. They include: Lyla Berg of Honolulu; Robert Bunda of Wahiawa; Gary Hooser of Honolulu; Jon Riki Karamatsu of Waipahu; Norman Sakamoto of Aiea and Brian Schatz of Honolulu.
The Big Island is represented by Democrat Steve Hirakami of Pahoa.
Republicans include: Lynn Finnegan of Aiea and Adrienne King of Honolulu
Leonard Kama of Kapolei is running as a nonpartisan.
The Free Energy party is represented by Deborah Spence of Hilo
State Senate – District 2
Incumbent Democrat Russell Kokubun of Volcano squares off against Timothy Waugh of Keaau.
Republicans Michael Hale of Pahoa and Lee McIntosh of Naalehu will face each other.
State Representative – District 1
Incumbent Mark Nakashima of Honokaa – D
Eric Paul D’Almeida of Hilo – R
State Representative – District 2
Incumbent Jerry Chang of Hilo – D
Sharon Vannatta of Hilo – R
State Representative – District 3
Incumbent Clift Tsuji of Hilo – D
Tania Cortez-Camero of Hilo – R
State Representative – District 4
Incumbent Faye Hanohano of Pahoa – D
Marlene Hapai of Kurtistown – R
Anthony Marzi of Pahoa – D
Solomon Singer of Pahoa – N
State Representative – District 5
Incumbent Robert Herkes of Volcano – D
Johnathan Able of Kealakekua – N
Fred Fogel of Volcano – L
State Representative – District 6
Incumbent Denny Coffman of Kailua-Kona – D
Rebecca Leau of Kailua-Kona – R
State Representative – District 7
Incumbent Cindy Evans of Waikoloa – D
Scott Henderson of Waikoloa – R
Maegan MacGregor of Kailua-Kona – D
U.S. Senator
Current Senate President Pro Tem Daniel Inouye leads the pack of eight. The only other Democrat is Kailua-Kona’s Andrew Woerner.
Republicans include: Cam Cavasso of Waimanalo; Eddie Pirkowski of Honolulu; John Roco of Waianae
Green Party candidates include: Jim Brewer of Honolulu
Nonpartisan candidates include: Jeff Jarrett of Pahoa
Libertarian candidates include: Lloyd Jeffrey Mallan of Kapaa
U.S. Representative
Incumbent Mazie Hirono tops the list of six candidates and is the lone Democrat.
Republicans include: Antonio Gimbernat of Makawao; Ramsay Wharton of Kapolei; John Willoughby of Honolulu
Pat Brock of Kihei is running as a Libertarian and Andrew Von Sonn of Paia is a nonpartisan candidate.
— For a full listing of candidates, visit the Hawaii Office of Elections website at http://hawaii.gov/elections/candidates (Click ‘Candidate Report’)