State Sen. Kai Kahele will finish the remaining two years of his late father’s term in the Senate, Hilo voters decided on Tuesday.
With all precincts reporting, Kahele, a Democrat, had earned 89 percent of the vote for the District 1 Senate seat, beating out Libertarian challenger Kimberly Arianoff 14,248-1,791. District 1 represents Hilo.
Kahele, 42, is a pilot for Hawaiian Airlines and Hawaii Air National Guard. He was appointed to the open seat in February, shortly after his father, the late state Sen. Gil Kahele, died of a heart attack.
“My appointment by Gov. (David) Ige actually ends tonight,” Kai Kahele said late Tuesday from his Hilo-based campaign headquarters. “So, for me, the way I look at it is a new chapter begins (Wednesday), and that’s one that’s elected by the residents of Hilo. So, when I wake up (Wednesday) morning, I’m not just appointed, I’m elected by the representatives of Hilo. And it’s a great feeling.”
Kahele listed a handful of issues he wants to address in the upcoming legislative session, including “bringing Hawaii County its fair share of the state’s transient accommodations tax” and “bringing quality jobs to the island.”
He said he hopes to chair the Senate’s education committee next year and would push for more funding for state public charter schools, which he called “severely underfunded.”
Kahele said he plans to continue working as a pilot but hopes Tuesday’s election marks “the beginning of a great and long career in public service.”
“A lot of people were very, very fond of my dad,” Kahele said. “He left a great legacy behind, and I can continue that … I think there’s a bright future ahead for Hilo, and I look forward to staying in the Senate. I’m not an opportunist, I’m not looking for the next bigger or better thing. I’m looking forward to a long career in the Hawaii state Senate.”
Kahele will occupy the seat until November 2018, when his father’s four-year term was to expire. He beat out challengers Dennis Onishi and Kaloa Robinson in August’s primary election, earning 55.5 percent of that vote.
In the District 2 Senate race, Sen. Russell Ruderman also held on to his seat Tuesday, handily beating Libertarian challenger Fred Fogel.
With all precincts reporting, Ruderman, a Democrat, had earned 82 percent of the vote, or 11,418-2,459.
“Well, it’s exciting,” Ruderman said Tuesday night from his home in Keaau, where he said he was relaxing with family. “I’m very happy to have won. I’m grateful to have had a strong campaign to get me through the primary. It was a hard-fought primary and I’m grateful for the support.”
Ruderman, who owns the Island Naturals market chain, has occupied the District 2 seat since 2012. District 2 represents Puna and parts of Ka‘u.
Ruderman said he plans to continue pushing for a regional library in Puna. He said he also would like to set minimum wage at $15 per hour which he called “the only thing I know of that will lift hundreds of thousands of people out of poverty and virtually solve our homeless problem.” He said he also wants to create a sugary beverage tax to generate money for the state’s education system.
Ruderman earned 54 percent of the votes in the August primary, beating Democratic challenger Greggor Ilagan. Ruderman said Tuesday he hopes to represent Ilagan’s constituents as well as his own.
“I appreciate the support, and I take my job representing Puna and Ka‘u very seriously,” he said. “And to the people who supported my opponent, I take their support very seriously, too, and it’s time to unify and work together for the benefit of Puna.”
Email Kirsten Johnson at kjohnson@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
