A steady stream of people stood in line to vote early yesterday, the last day of absentee walk-in voting.

“;It's a very busy day,”; said Glen Takahashi, Honolulu election administrator, who said yesterday that a record number of Honolulu voters have already cast ballots.

So far, a record 161,000 people have either voted early at walk-in polling stations or mailed in ballots statewide.

Early walk-in voting ended at 4 p.m. yesterday, but absentee mail-in ballots are still being accepted until Tuesday at 6 p.m.

Statewide, about 69,669 people voted early at polling places and 91,258 mail-in ballots have been received out of about 116,391 requested.

At Honolulu Hale, several people headed to the polls early in anticipation of heavy lines on Election Day or because of work. Some appeared relieved: One man clapped his hands and pumped his fists, and one couple kissed at the steps after voting.

Elliott Plourde, a state employee, said he would be off on Tuesday, but voted early “;so I can have my day off to myself.”;

At times, the voting line extended beyond 75 people, but many exiting the polls said it was quick and smooth.

On the Big Island, absentee walk-in voting also hit a record.

Elections Program Administrator Pat Nakamoto said she hasn't seen a larger early election turnout in her 21 years at the department.

“;It's been heavy,”; Nakamoto said, adding that 1,466 people voted yesterday, the busiest day since early voting began this year.

So far, about 25 percent of the Big Island's 99,000 registered voters have already cast their vote.

Nakamoto believes the absentee-voter activity shows a greater interest in this election that will also be seen in large numbers on election day.

Maui has seen about 3,900 more residents - a nearly 29 percent increase - in early voting in comparison to the 2004 general election. About 8,000 residents voted at polling stations and 9,500 mailed in their ballots, according to a Maui County election specialist.

Kauai saw a drop in early walk-in voting compared to 2004, but mail-in ballots largely made up that reduction.

Deputy County Clerk Ernie Pasion said it was the first year the county mailed absentee-ballot applications to all registered voters, boosting mail-in votes over 2004.

Walk-in voters were 3 percent fewer than in 2004. Despite that, Kauai had a 23 percent increase in early voting overall when compared to 2004.

Pasion said the presidential election and Kauai's mayoral race have heightened interest.

“;Hopefully, with the greater number of voters that voted absentee, we'll have less traffic congestion in the polling places,”; he said.

Back on Oahu, Maria Planas, 79, of Kakaako cast her vote early yesterday to avoid the lines on Tuesday.

Sitting on a bench at City Hall, she said, “;I'm so happy now all I've got to do is go and eat and rest.”;