State counts more voters since ‘06

The tally rises by less than 2 percent and is fewer than in 2002

STORY SUMMARY »

The Big Island is leading Hawaii's increase in registered voters, which crept up a paltry 1.8 percent this year compared with 2006.

Honolulu mayoral debate tonight The three major candidates for Honolulu mayor - Mufi Hannemann, Ann Kobayashi and Panos Prevedouros - meet in their only televised debate before the Sept. 20 election at 6:30 p.m. on KGMB9.

The largest increase came in Hawaii County, where registration was up 6 percent. Brian Schatz, Democratic Party chairman, said the increase apparently was generated by the race to replace Mayor Harry Kim.

Although the state Democratic Party was flooded with new members after the February presidential caucuses, most of the new Democrats apparently already were registered voters.

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Hawaii's voter registration numbers are up slightly compared with figures before the 2006 primary election.

Voter Registration Inches Up Here are the new voter registration numbers and percentage increase for Hawaii's primary election: Statewide: 667,647 1.8% Oahu: 450,522 0.6% Hawaii: 95,829 6.0% Maui: 82,422 3.3% Kauai: 38,874 2.7% Source: City Clerk's Office

According to Glen Takahashi, Honolulu election administrator, the figures show a 1.8 percent statewide increase. In 2006, voter registration was up 4.7 percent compared with 2004.

The largest voter increase came on the Big Island, where registration was up 6 percent. Brian Schatz, Democratic Party chairman, said the increase apparently was caused by the race to replace Big Island Mayor Harry Kim.

Still, the total state registered voter number of 655,741 is down from 2002, when Hawaii had 667,679 registered voters.

Party officials are hoping that the voter registration surge comes before the general election.

"The presidential election will generate a lot of enthusiasm," Schatz said.

Although the state Democratic Party was flooded with new members after the February presidential caucuses, most of the new Democrats apparently were registered voters.

Schatz said he thought the campaign for Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama will cause more people to register to vote in November.

On the Republican side, Adam Deguire, Hawaii GOP executive director, said the party is targeting its voter registration drives.

"We have localized it and are giving the tools to our candidates," Deguire said. "The goal is to make it more precise and to register Republicans or supporters."

In the race for Honolulu mayor, the campaigns for Mayor Mufi Hannemann and Councilwoman Ann Kobayashi said they had voter registration drives.

Hannemann's campaign had young voter registrars at concerts and other events to register new voters.

The Kobayashi campaign said it had a planned registration drive but also had people call in asking how they could register to vote, and campaign officials would give them information over the phone.

Persons who want to vote in the general election have until Oct. 6 to register.

Absentee voting, now through Sept. 18 » Honolulu Hale, 530 S. King St.: Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. » University of Hawaii-Manoa Campus Center, Room 306: Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. » Aiea Shopping Center, Suite 246: Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. » Kapolei Hale, 1000 Uluohia St., Conference Room A & B: Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. » Windward Mall, directly across from Farrell's: Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.