By PETER SUR
By PETER SUR
Tribune-Herald staff writer
Councilman Donald Ikeda has pulled nomination papers for the state Senate, and he’s joined by some familiar political figures who are also throwing their hats in the ring.
Ikeda, prevented by term limits from seeking re-election to the County Council, is the only person who has filed so far for the newly redrawn 1st Senate District, which includes Hilo and surrounding communities. Efforts to reach him were unsuccessful.
Although incumbent Sen. Gil Kahele has not taken the formal steps to declare his candidacy, should he run he would face Ikeda and whoever else is a candidate for the 1st Senate District.
In the 2nd Senate District, which extends from Puna to Pahala, longtime Rep. Bob Herkes and former Puna councilman Gary Safarik, both Democrats, may face off in the primary election.
Incumbent Sen. Josh Green is the only person to file to represent the 3rd District, which runs from Naalehu up to Keahole Point in West Hawaii.
And seeking to represent the new 4th District, an area that includes North Kona, Kohala, Hamakua and the portion of Hilo north of Honolii Stream, are former state Sen. Lorraine Inouye and former councilman Kelly Greenwell, both Democrats.
Whoever wins the 2nd Senate District would serve for a four-year term; because the terms are staggered the winners of districts 1, 3 and 4 are serving only two-year terms and would go before voters again in 2014.
State Sen. Malama Solomon, who lives in Waimea, would also join the 4th District mix if she were to seek re-election.
“I’m still kind of thinking about it,” said Solomon, who was appointed to the seat by Gov. Neil Abercrombie. “I was going to make my decision to run after the (legislative) session.”
Inouye is looking to return to the Senate for the first time since leaving in 2008 in an unsuccessful run for Hawaii County mayor.
“I did pull some papers yesterday. My intention is to run,” Inouye said. “I’m still healthy and strong, and I’ve had some urging from former colleagues on Oahu,” as well as other supporters.
In 1998, Solomon was the incumbent senator representing the northern half of the Big Island, and Inouye was six years removed from losing a re-election for mayor. In the primary election, Inouye prevailed over Solomon and Fred Holschuh, and went on to win the general election against Republican John Carroll.
For the House, Kona’s 6th District is the only one where candidates have pulled nomination papers, although others are expected to file. The candidates are Fred Housel and Gene Leslie, both Democrats, and Republican John Breslin.
Email Peter Sur at psur@hawaiitribune-herald.com.