Hawaii Island earned an eighth seat in the state House of Representatives this election year, and the first candidate to fill it is Democrat Kirstin A.K. Kahaloa, who vanquished her Republican opponent, Jonathan P. Kennealy, with 66.6% of the votes, based on mail ballots representing 41.3% of registered voters.
“I am humbled, thrilled, just excited to be able to be a catalyst for change in our community,” Kahaloa said. “To be an eighth voice for our island and being another voice for Kona in the Legislature. I’m excited to have the opportunity.”
The renumbered District 6 includes Honaunau, Napoopoo, Captain Cook, Kealakekua, Keauhou, Holualoa and parts of Kailua-Kona.
Kahaloa most recently worked as portfolio manager of sustainable industry development for Kamehameha Schools. She’s previously served as community engagement lead for the Blue Zones Project, legislative aide for state Sen. Dru Kanuha and executive director for the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce.
Kennealy, a former military police soldier in the Army, listed as priorities simplifying the state tax code, tackling political corruption and increasing accountability of public officials.
In House District 8, covering most of Kohala, incumbent Democratic Rep. David Tarnas overcame Republican Monique Cobb-Adams Perreira, garnering 4,941 votes, or 68.5% to her 1,922.
In House District 5, from Keaau to Highway Belt Road in Captain Cook, incumbent Democratic Rep. Jeanne Kapela won with 4,481 votes, compared to Republican Lohi Goodwin with 1,436 and Libertarian Michael Last with 223.
“Our state deserves leadership with aloha for hardworking ‘ohana,” Kapela said in a statement. “From creating homes that are affordable for working families and enacting paid sick and family leave programs to expanding access to reproductive care and combating the climate crisis, we are crafting a future that restores hope to those who need it most.”
Nicole Lowen, a Democrat representing Kona’s District 7, handily won reelection early on, when no one filed to run against her. So did Rep. Mark Nakashima, a Democrat representing Hamakua’s District 1 and Richard Onishi, a Democrat representing Hilo’s District 2.
In Hilo’s House District 3, incumbent Democrat Chris Todd bested Aloha Aina candidate Devinshaw K. McMackin with 4,423 votes, or 75% to McMackin’s 858 votes.
And, in Puna District 4, incumbent Democrat Greggor Ilagan took 4,185 votes, or 69.7%, in a crowded field where Republican Keikilani Ho had 19.7%, nonpartisan candidate Brian Ley had 5% and Libertarian Candace T. Linton had 2.1%