CAMPAIGN 2008
3 isles’ mayoral races likely to garner the most interest
Today's election is a statewide primary, but most of the attention is likely to focus on the mayor's races in Honolulu and on Kauai and the Big Island.
The only incumbent in the bunch, Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann, wants a quick strike by winning more than 50 percent of the vote. If he succeeds, the race is over. If none of the nine candidates makes the 50 percent cut, the top two vote-getters go on to the general election.
On Kauai, there are four candidates for mayor to succeed Bryan Baptiste, who died in office in June. They include former Kauai mayor and now Councilwoman JoAnn Yukimura. Also in the race is fellow Councilman Mel Rapoza.
On the Big Island, Lorraine Inouye, now a state senator, who was mayor from 1990 to 1992, is hoping for a return as chief executive.
Inouye is up against eight other candidates, including Billy Kenoi, a former executive assistant to current Big Island Mayor Harry Kim. Recent polls taken by Hilo's Hawaii Tribune-Herald show Kenoi leading the race, but without a 50 percent majority, and Inouye in second place, followed by Angel Pilago, a member of the Hawaii County Council.
Craig T. Kojima / ckojima@starbulletin.com
Kaimuki High School student Chavelle Kaimana cheered yesterday at the kickoff of the Kids Vote campaign. Registered voters will vote today in the statewide primary election.
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Voters today also will find a few legislative races interesting, although most of the competition will be in the general election. The Legislature failed to generate much interest as two senators and 22 of the 51 representatives had no opposition. In that incumbent sweep, all three of the Democratic representatives on Kauai face no challengers and will be elected outright.
Other races have no incumbent, such as Windward Oahu's 51st District of Kailua and Waimanalo. There is a spirited race between Democrats Ikaika Anderson, Chris Lee and Shawn Christensen. The winner will face former state Rep. Quentin Kawananakoa, a Republican.
In the state Senate, two veterans, Rep. Alex Sonson and Sen. Clarence Nishihara, are facing off in today's Democratic primary. Sonson has had the help of former Sen. Cal Kawamoto, whom Nishihara defeated in 2004.