Incumbents will remain in one of the Big Island’s four state Senate seats and three of its eight state House seats, now that the June 7 filing deadline has passed with no challengers coming forward.
Sen. Dru Kanuha, a Democrat representing Kona’s District 3; Rep. Mark Nakashima, a Democrat representing Hamakua’s District 1, Richard Onishi, a Democrat representing Hilo’s District 2 and Nicole Lowen, a Democrat representing Kona’s District 7, will appear on their respective ballots without competition.
Intraparty candidates in other races will face off in the Aug. 13 primary election, with the winners proceeding to the Nov. 8 general election.
Candidates in other districts:
Senate District 1, covering most of Hilo up to Pepeekeo and into Puna, features a battle between two Democratic incumbents, as the state Reapportionment Commission moved Senate boundary lines, pushing Sen. Lorraine Inouye into the District 1 seat currently held by Sen. Laura Acasio, who was appointed by Gov. David Ige to fill the seat vacated by Kai Kahele in his run for Congress. Also filing for the District 1 seat are Wil Okabe, a Democrat, and Helen Tupai, a Republican.
Senate District 2, covering Puna and Ka‘u, has three challengers to incumbent Rep. Joy San Buenaventura: Libertarian Frederick Fogel and Republicans Dianne Hensley and Holly Osborn.
Senate District 4, covering North Hawaii, has no incumbent due to redistricting. Democrat Tim Richards will face off against Republican Nicholas Tancheff in November.
House District 3, representing Keaukaha, Panaewa and Puna through Fern Acres, has incumbent Rep Chris Todd facing Democrat Shannon Matson and Aloha Aina candidate Devinshaw McMackin.
House District 4, covering most of Puna, has Democratic incumbent Rep. Greggor Ilagan facing Republican Keikilani Ho, nonpartisan candidate Brian Ley and Libertarian Candace Linton.
House District 5, from Keaau to Highway Belt Road in Captain Cook, has incumbent Democratic Rep. Jeanne Kapela facing Republican Lohi Goodwin and Libertarian Michael Last.
House District 6, running down the coast from Kailua-Kona to Honaunau, was created by the state Reapportionment Commission when the island’s population grew enough to warrant an eight House seat this year. Running for the seat are Democratic candidates Ilya Barannikov, Kirstin Kahaloa and Lono Mack, as well as Republican candidate Jonathan Kennealy.
House District 8, covering most of Kohala, has incumbent Democratic rep. David Tarnis being challenged by fellow Democrat Makai Freitas as well as Republican Monique CobbAdams Perreira.