State Rep. Faye Hanohano was in a distant second after early returns in Saturday’s primary election.
State Rep. Faye Hanohano was in a distant second after early returns in Saturday’s primary election.
With only absentee ballots tallied for the House District 4 race, the representative was trailing with about 20 percent of votes in a crowded field of five Democrats. Joy San Buenaventura was in the lead for the Puna seat with about 44 percent.
Another incumbent, North Hawaii Sen. Malama Solomon, was trailing Democratic challenger Lorraine Inouye in the Senate District 4 race, 43 percent to 56 percent.
County Council incumbents had healthy leads against their challengers early on.
Hamakua Councilwoman Valerie Poindexter, who was facing one challenger, received 79 percent of the absentee vote.
Puna makai Councilman Greggor Ilagan, who was facing three challengers, had 42 percent with one precinct reporting. Former councilwoman Emily Naeole was in third with 18 percent.
North Kona Councilwoman Karen Eoff was beating her one challenger with 80 percent of the absentee vote.
Kohala Councilwoman Margaret Wille was beating her two challengers with 47 percent of the absentee vote.
Seven candidates were running to replace Councilman Zendo Kern, who is not seeking re-election, for the Puna mauka seat.
In that race, Daniel Paleka Jr. was ahead with 40.5 percent with one of three precincts reporting.
Tiffany Edwards Hunt was in second with more than 33 percent.
District 2, covering parts of Hilo, and District 6, covering Ka‘u and parts of Kona, are also open races without an incumbent.
In the District 2 race, former councilman Aaron Chung received 70.5 percent with two of four precincts reporting.
In the District 6 race, Maile David was leading with 69 percent with two of eight precincts reporting.
Council members Dennis Onishi and Dru Kanuha were unopposed.
In the state legislative races, Sen. Gil Kahele, D-Hilo, received 82 percent with two of nine precincts reporting in the Senate District 1 contest.
Rep. Clift Tsuji, D-Hilo, received 88 percent of the absentee vote in the Senate District 2 race.
Democrat Rep. Richard Creagan received nearly 63 percent of the vote with one precinct reporting in the House District 5 contest.
Rep. Nicole Lowen, D-Kona, received 65 percent of the absentee vote in the House District 6 race. In that race’s Republican primary, Kelly Valenzuela was ahead with 60 percent.
No other Republican or Libertarian primaries had more than one candidate in Big Island races.
Democrats Sen. Josh Green, Rep. Mark Nakashima and Rep. Richard Onishi did not have Democratic challengers in the primary.
They will each face their Republican or Libertarian opponents in the general election.
Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald.com.