Every vote counts, especially if it’s cast in the Hawaii County Council District 3 race. ADVERTISING Every vote counts, especially if it’s cast in the Hawaii County Council District 3 race. The race will continue as a runoff in November
Every vote counts, especially if it’s cast in the Hawaii County Council District 3 race.
The race will continue as a runoff in November after Saturday’s election narrowed the field of three to two: Sue Lee Loy and Moana Kelii, both of Hilo.
Lee Loy locked up the first runoff spot after the first ballots were counted, and finished the night with 42 percent of the votes.
But the race between Kelii and Grace Castillo was not decided until the final Hilo precinct was reported shortly before midnight.
Kelii finished with just seven more votes than Castillo, 1,475 to 1,467.
A candidate requires more than 50 percent of the vote in order to move on unopposed.
The District 3 seat is open because sitting councilman Dennis “Fresh” Onishi is term-limited. Onishi ran for a state Senate seat but lost to Kai Kahele. He endorsed Lee Loy in her campaign.
