HILO » Big Island mayoral candidate Angel Pilago fell well short in his attempt to beat Billy Kenoi.

Kenoi, former executive assistant to Mayor Harry Kim, led last night's elections results from start to finish.

At his downtown Hilo headquarters, Kenoi sent his aloha to all his campaign workers but focused particularly on youth.

“;Never give up on our future,”; he told them.

Even a boy like himself with a grade point average of 1.8, a mere C, can make it, he said.

From the ILWU Hall in Kailua-Kona, County Councilman Pilago said he felt his candidacy had a positive effect, which he called a “;revolution.”;

“;We gave to the people of this island a new political consciousness. There's a new block of empowered voters with a commitment to taking part in politics,”; Pilago said.

“;People are more issue oriented,”; he said. Pilago said his people will monitor Kenoi's new administration as well as the County Council and legislators to ensure that new laws are implemented.

Kenoi, 39, emphasized his education as a lawyer during the campaign and his connections to U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye, starting with a youthful internship with the senator. He later served as a defense attorney.

Not taking his near win in the primary with 45.4 percent of the vote for granted, he campaigned hard, including conducting a round-the-island bus tour Saturday.

Pilago, 63, holder of a high school graduate equivalency degree, emphasized years of practical experience starting with combat in Vietnam and continuing through two lawsuits affirming native Hawaiian rights. His primary career was as a state workforce development specialist.

For voters trying to make the choice, there was little difference in some respects between the two. Both are part Hawaiians with credentials as defenders of Hawaiian culture.

Both featured prominent names among their supporters. Kenoi's backers ranged from martial artist B.J. Penn and environmentalist banana grower Richard Ha to noted chef Sam Choy.

Pilago was backed by famed artist Herb Kane and state Rep. Josh Green, a doctor.

Six of the Hawaii County Council's nine seats were decided in the primary, leaving only seats on the south side of Hilo, in lower Puna, and in northern Kona.

In Hilo, Dennis “;Fresh”; Onishi defeated Andy Baclig. In Puna, Emily Naeole won over Gary Safarik. And in Kona, Kelly Greenwell bested Debbie Hecht.