GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM After a slow first day of absentee balloting at Honolulu Hale yesterday, Elections Office official Chad Kodata, right, picked up the ballots that will decide the successor to former Councilman Andy Mirikatani.

5th District absentee
voting begins

Walk-in voters have until Jan. 24 to
cast ballots before the Jan. 26 election

---

Star-Bulletin staff

Thirty-six voters registered in the City Council 5th District voted absentee in the special election for the successor to former Councilman Andy Mirikitani.

Yesterday was the first day for absentee walk-in voting.

Special election day is Jan. 26.

But voters in the 5th District, which encompasses Manoa, Moiliili, McCully, Tantalus, Makiki, Pawaa, Ala Moana and Kewalo, can vote absentee at Honolulu Hale, 530 S. King St., between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday through Jan. 24.

Free parking is available in designated stalls on South King Street until 3:30 p.m. each day.

City Clerk Genny Wong said 44,868 people are registered to vote in the election.

There are 14 candidates in the race. The winner will fill the remaining year left on Mirikitani's term. Mirikitani resigned last month just before being sentenced in U.S. District Court to four years in prison for giving two employees bonuses in return for kickbacks.

More information can be found at the special election Web page at www.co.honolulu.hi.us/council/spclelec.htm.