Big Island incumbents all retain seats in Legislature
The Big Island’s delegates in the state Legislature kept their seats Tuesday after cruising to easy victories.
Dru Kanuha was the lone state senator in Hawaii County who was up for reelection Tuesday, with the Democrat incumbent facing Republican challenger Kurt Sullivan for the District 3 Senate seat, which covers the south of the island from Kailua-Kona to Naalehu and up to Volcano.
According to election results released Wednesday, Kanuha breezed to a comfortable win with 67% of the vote.
Senate District 1 incumbent Lorraine Inouye was unchallenged in the General Election and therefore won reelection outright in the August Primary Election, as did District 4 incumbent Tim Richards. District 2 Sen. Joy San Buenaventura was not up for reelection this year.
Meanwhile, six of the county’s eight state representatives, Democrats all, were up for reelection Tuesday and were similarly victorious.
Hilo Rep. Chris Todd bested two opponents in his showdown for House District 3, which comprises a portion of Hilo, Keaukaha, Orchidland, Ainaloa, Hawaiian Acres, Fern Acres and portions of Keaau and Kurtistown.
Todd took a clear lead, receiving 65% of the vote, well ahead of Republican challenger Kanoa Wilson, who received 31%, and Libertarian Austin Martin, who had 4%.
Puna Rep. Greggor Ilagan easily held his seat against Republican Keikilani Ho, with the incumbent receiving more than twice his opponent’s votes from District 4 voters.
In District 5, which encompasses parts of Keaau and Kurtistown, Mountain View, Glenwood, Fern Forest, Volcano, Pahala Punaluu, Naalahu, Ocean View and Hookena, Jeanne Kapela bested Republican Ashley Oyama and Libertarian Frederick Fogel. Kapela received 60% of the vote, compared to Oyama’s 36% and Fogel’s 4%.
Kirstin Kahaloa defeated Republican Sylvie Madison for control of District 6, including Captain Cook, Kailua-Kona, Kealakekua, Honaunau and Keauhou.
Meanwhile, Nicole Lowen, who represents North Kona and North and South Kohala in District 7, saw the narrowest race but still fended off Republican Timothy Dalhouse with 55% of the vote.
Finally, David Tarnas defeated Republican Monique CobbAdams Perreira in District 8, which was newly formed after a 2022 redistricting and includes Hawi, Waikoloa, Kawaihae and Waimea.
Outgoing Hilo Councilwoman Sue Lee Loy won House District 2 in the Primary Election because she faced no challengers in the General Election. And House District 1 had its representative, Matthias Kusch, selected by Gov. Josh Green in August to replace Rep. Mark Nakashima after the latter died in office in July.
