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By Ken Sakamoto, Star-Bulletin
Lisa Hookano-Holly votes in the primary election at District
25, Precinct 4, at Central Intermediate School this morning.

Mayor’s race:
Primary may
be final

Harris reelected after
final printout

ONLINE ELECTION COVERAGE

Election Results

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By Richard Borreca
Star-Bulletin

Across the state today, the sound you hear is the voice of the voters.

From isolated Big Island precincts such as the Ookala Carpenter Shop on the Hamakua Coast to the new Kapolei Elementary School precinct in the city of Kapolei on Oahu, today is the day Hawaii's 629,000 registered voters have a chance to be heard.

At polling places this morning, a few problems were reported, but not as many as two years ago, when voters had to deal with a new voting system.

OTHER ELECTION NEWS Officials say early voter turnout was very light across the state. TV stations with high-rated shows are not running continuous election coverage. Barring problems, almost-complete results are scheduled to be announced about 9 p.m. Democratic candidates for Big Island mayor make last-minute appeals for votes. ELECTION RESULTS ONLINE TONIGHT Check in tonight with starbulletin.com for continuously updated election coverage, including: Election-night stories and photos from around the state. Results in a live, searchable database updated as new numbers become available from the state election headquarters. Breaking news, including any updates on the threatened bus strike.

Two mayoral contests are generating the most interest in today's primary.

On Oahu, Mayor Jeremy Harris is running for re-election. He faces two seasoned politicians, Mufi Hannemann, a twice-elected city councilman, and Frank Fasi, who has previously served 22 years as mayor.

If Harris wins a majority (50 percent plus one vote), the race is over with no general election contest.

The other mayor's race is on the Big Island where the primary is still partisan. Former Democrat Harvey Tajiri and former county Civil Defense Director Harry Kim are vying for the Republican spot in the general election. Former Rep. Bob Herkes and Dr. Fred Holschuh are seeking to advance on the Democratic ticket.

Big Island issues have ranged from development on the Kona coast to revitalizing Hilo, the state's second-largest city.

The Democratic and Republican winners go on to face Green Party candidate Keiko Bonk in the general election.

In the Legislature, there are two contested Republican Senate primary races and five Democratic primary races. In the House, the GOP has 11 primary races, while Democrats have 18.