DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM People voting at Manoa Valley District Park this morning included the Leong family: Evan and Kari Leong with their two sons, Buddy, 5, and Koko, 3.

Some staffing problems meant a late start at some precincts

Voter turnout for today's primary election appears to be light, according to election officials.

Rex Quidilla, elections office spokesman, said an unscientific sampling of polling places around the state indicates Hawaii residents aren't turning out in high numbers.

He said staffing issues kept some Oahu polling sites from opening on time at 7 a.m. Polling sites at Pauoa and Lincoln, Koko Head and Kuhio elementary schools didn't open on time, he said. Other sites might not have opened exactly at 7 a.m., but were open within minutes, he said.

Quidilla said that there were no other major problems.

He said he expects initial results to be released sometime between 6:30 p.m. to 730 p.m.

Polls close at 6 p.m., but those in line at that time will be allowed to vote. The initial results cannot be released until everyone has voted.

Eric Tan expected a long line when he detoured from his morning walk to vote at 7 a.m. today at Koko Head Elementary School.

But he was the first to arrive.

"At other times it was always a madhouse," said the 60-year-old man, retired from financial services. "It was a pleasant surprise, so refreshing."

Short five or six volunteers, the 17th District (Kalama Valley-Hawaii Kai) polling precinct did not open until about 7:15 a.m. By then, about a dozen voters were waiting to cast primary election ballots.

Tan said he suspects that a high number of absentee ballots has reduced the number showing up at the polls but it's "more exciting" for him to vote in person.

Quidilla said the problem at Pauoa Elementary (26th District- Pacific Heights-Punchbowl) was that the precinct chairman got sick. "They were unable to open until much later. We sent staff to open the polling place."

Tan said with three candidates vying for Honolulu mayor, the results are "going to be very interesting. May the best person win."

Pete Torres, 46, of Hawaii Kai, said he thought the mayor's campaign was "just too muddy." He said the candidates were so fixed on the rail debate that they didn't say much about other issues.

And conflicting information on the rail issues left him questioning whether it is worth it, he said. It would create jobs, Torres said, noting he is in construction and a member of the Carpenter's Union which supports the rail project.

"But it is never going to do away with traffic," he said, adding that the transit system did not solve traffic problems in New York City where he grew up.