Cayetano:
Narrow win a
‘wake-up call’

But measure opposing same-sex marriage
prevails by large margin

General Election Guide

Star-Bulletin staff

Calling his narrow win a "wake-up call" for Democrats, Gov. Ben Cayetano won the right to lead Hawaii for the next four years and into the next new millennium.

Cayetano had led his opponent, Maui Mayor Linda Lingle, from the first printout, with his margin increasing by a couple thousand votes with each printout. By the third printout near midnight, Cayetano had a nearly-10,000 vote lead over Lingle, with more than 95 percent of the precincts in. He claimed victory about midnight.

Lingle's run for governor left the Maui mayoral seat open: Democrat James (Kimo) Apana beat out Republican Alan M. Arakawa by some 2,000 votes.

A hotly contested constitutional amendment over same-sex marriage saw a resounding affirmation to allow the state Legislature to restrict marriage to opposite-sex couples only.

Voters also rejected the need for a constitutional convention.

In the Kauai mayor's race, incumbent Maryanne Kusaka beat out challenger Mary Thronas by some 4,500 votes.

The state Legislature featured a handful of all-night close battles:

Democrat Bob Nakata v. Republican Joe Pickard in Senate District 23.

Incumbent Democratic David Tarnas v. Republican Jim Rath in House District 6.

Incumbent Democratic Joe Souki v. Republican Kalani Tassill in House District 8.

Incumbent Republican Sam Aiona v. Democrat Brian Schatz in House District 24.

Incumbent Democrat Lei Ahu Isa v. Republican Corinne Ching in House District 27.

Incumbent Republican Mark Moses v. Democrat Maeda Timson in House District 42.

Incumbent Democrat Merwyn Jones v. Republican Emily Auwae in House District 44.

Democrat Iris Ikeda Catalani v. Republican Charles Kong Djou in House District 47.

Also determined in last night's election were members of the state Board of Education, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and city and county councils.