Victory is all but assured for three Hawaii Island incumbents, despite what seems a renewed interest in politics, with lots of candidates competing for office this election.
As of the 4:30 p.m. final filing deadline Tuesday, State Rep. Nicole Lowen, D-Kona, and County Council members Ashley Kierkiewicz of Puna and Maile David of South Kona/Ka‘u had no challengers. One vote will secure their seats.
“To be honest, I’ve been really focused on the response to COVID-19, and this race hasn’t been front of mind. I’m still really worried about the future of the state, and the many unemployed and small businesses in Kona that are on the brink of closing their doors,” Lowen said. “I’m very honored and humbled to be able to continue representing District 6, and to be able to get back to work right away on the big challenges we are facing.”
Kierkiewicz and David expressed similar views.
“I’m surprised, speechless and very thankful. It has taken many years to finally have the experience of running unopposed and I can’t think of a more appropriate way to start my final term,” David said. “I look forward to devoting all of my time helping our island communities. Mahalo a nui loa for the privilege.”
“As a freshman representing Puna, it feels incredible to run unopposed,” Kierkiewicz said. “Not only did our team bring a fresh perspective, effective leadership and high energy to the Council, we served with aloha, engaging and empowering community every step of the way. When Puna needed someone to advocate for recovery dollars from the Legislature, to fight for roads, to ensure community voices were brought into conversations, my team and I showed up. We will continue to put in the hard work and serve Puna with vision, vitality and humility.”
The race for Hawaii County mayor proved the most popular, with 17 candidates filing for the nonpartisan race by the deadline. Three candidates filed for the other countywide race, that of county prosecutor.
Plenty of candidates also lined up for the 2nd Congressional seat being vacated by Democratic U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard.
The state Senate District 2 race, the only Senate seat on the Big Island ballot this year, will be decided in the primary election, as two Democrats, Joy San Buenaventura and Smiley Burrows, square off for the seat being vacated by Sen. Russell Ruderman, D-Puna, Ka‘u.
There’s a new party on the ballot this year, the Aloha Aina party, and it fielded candidates in four state House races representing the island, as well the 2nd Congressional District. Democrats, as is traditional, are vying for the most seats, along with a sprinkling of Republicans and Libertarians.
Candidates have until 4:30 p.m. today to withdraw their candidacy for any reason and until June 19 to withdraw with a doctor’s note. Voters who want to object to a candidate’s nomination papers can do so by June 9.
For the first time, Hawaii is going with a statewide mail-in ballot, expected to be mailed out July 21, according to Elections Administrator Pat Nakamoto. Voted ballots must be received by the Clerk’s Office by 7 p.m. election day, Aug. 8.
Email Nancy Cook Lauer at ncook-lauer@westhawaiitoday.com.
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Candidates for the 2020 Primary election on Hawaii Island
U.S. Representative, District 2
Democrats
EVANS, Brian
FAMERA, Noelle
KAHELE, Kaiali‘i (Kai)
LEE, Brenda L. Machado
Republicans
AKANA, Joe
BOND, Steven R.
GOTTSCHALK, Karla (Bart)
HAMMAN, David R.
KANESHIRO, Elise Hatsuko
LOVE, Nicholas T.
NAGAMINE, Robert K.
QUEL, Raymond S.
SAN NICOLAS, Felipe C.
Libertarian
TIPPENS, Michelle Rose
Aloha Aina
HOOMANAWANUI, Jonathan
American Shopping
GIUFFRE, John (Raghu)
Nonpartisan
BURRUS, Ron
MCCORRISTON, Byron U.
Office of Hawaiian Affairs (Nonpartisan)
At-large
AKINA, Keli‘i
BURKE, Jackie (Kahookele)
HANAKAHI, Kaipo K.
KAWAAUHAU, Larry K.
PALACAT-NELSEN, Shane Akoni
SONODA, Lenson (Kawekiu)
SOUZA, Keoni
Hawaii Island Resident
ALMEIDA, Kauilani
CASHMAN-AIU, Noelani
DESOTO-MCCOLLOUGH, Laura L.
HAO, Louis (Lui)
HOFFELD, Cyd L. (Makanui)
ISHIBASHI, Pua
KIHOI, Lei
LINDSEY, Keola
MANGAUIL, Lanakila
PAU, Louis (Kauka)
WILSON, Kalaniakea
Kauai Resident
AHUNA, Dan
PEREZ, Brittny
SMITH, Kamealoha
Molokai Resident
ALAPA, Luana
KAHUE-CABANTING, U’i
MACHADO, Colette (Piipii)
State Senator District 2
Democrats
BURROWS, Smiley
SAN BUENAVENTURA, Joy
State Representative District 1
Democrat
NAKASHIMA, Mark M.
Republican
SHIN, Lorraine Pualani
State Representative District 2
Democrat
TODD, Christopher L.T.
Aloha Aina
KA-IPO, Ron G.
MCMACKIN, Devin Shaw, Sr.
State Representative District 3
Democrats
FOGEL, Frederick F.
MATSON, Shannon Lopeka
ONISHI, Richard H.K.
Republican
HUGHES, Susan
State Representative District 4
Democrats
ILAGAN, Greggor
OHARA, Eileen
Republican
CERMELJ, Hope (Alohalani)
Aloha Aina
HAUMEA, Desmon Antone
Nonpartisan
LEY, Brian
State Representative District 5
Democrats
CREAGAN, Richard
BONDERA, Colehour
KAPELA, Jeanne
Libertarian
LAST, Michael L. (Mike)
Aloha Aina
DECKER, Citlalli Johanna
State Representative District 6
Democrat
LOWEN, Nicole
State Representative District7
Democrat
TARNAS, David A.
Aloha Aina
HARRINGTON, Rachel L.
County Mayor (nonpartisan)
AZEVEDO, Neil A.
BRYANT, Paul (Amaury)
FITZGERALD, Bob
GLENDON, Michael (Mikey)
GREENWELL, Robert (Kelly)
HA‘I-KELLY, Grayden K.
HIGA, Stacy
KA‘EHU‘AE‘A, Wendell J.
KAWANO, Yumi T.R.
KIM, Harry
MARZO, Ikaika
ROTH, Mitch
RUGGLES, Mike D.
SHANEYFELT, Ted (Toku San)
URBAN, Tante T.
VERSCHUUR, Lahi (Marlin)
YUDA, James M. (Jiro)
County Prosecuting Attorney (nonpartisan)
AUNA, Jared Kamakakulani
BRIDGES, Christopher R.
WALTJEN, Kelden Braun Akoni
County Council (nonpartisan)
Council District 1
JUAN, Elroy C.
KIMBALL, Heather L.
MEDEIROS-GARCIA, Jaerick K.
MOORE, Jaclyn L.
MORRISON, Bethany Joy
PERREIRA, Monique CobbAdams
YAGONG, Dominic
Council District 2
CHUNG, Aaron S.Y.
HALVERSEN, William
Council District 3
KAAIHUE, Henry K., Jr.
LEE LOY, Susan (Sue)
NEVES, Paul K.
Council District 4
KIERKIEWICZ, Ashley L.
Council District 5
KANEALI‘I-KLEINFELDER, Matt
RODENHURST, Ikaika
WIRICK, Frederic (Ric)
Council District 6
DAVID, Maile (Medeiros)
Council District 7
CLEMENT, Jane
VILLEGAS, Rebecca
Council District 8
INABA, Holeka Goro
KAHUI, Craig (Bo)
Council District 9
AIONA, Philip K. (Ippy)
KEANE, Ranae
RICHARDS, Herbert (Tim)