USA Today reports on the recent Hawaii state primary elections held on Saturday, which saw unexpected outcomes and competitive races across various levels of government.
Incumbent Hawaii House Speaker Scott Saiki, who has represented District 25 since 1994, lost his bid for reelection to progressive civil rights attorney Kim Coco Iwamoto.
This outcome marks a potential shift in the state's legislative leadership and could lead to historic representation in the Hawaii House of Representatives.
The primary elections saw seasoned politicians encountering stiff competition from newcomers and lesser-known candidates. Former Hawaii State Sen. Clayton Hee, despite having endorsements from three former governors, lost his bid to represent District 23 to community advocate Ben Shafer. Hee's defeat highlights the impact of strong union support and local activism in shaping electoral outcomes.
In another notable race, State Rep. Trish La Chica secured the Democratic nomination for the Hawaii State House's 37th District, defeating Ken Inouye, the grandson of late U.S. Senator Daniel Inouye. La Chica's victory underscores the importance of focusing on local issues and engaging with constituents, particularly in education-related matters.
The primary results also revealed an unusual situation in Hawaii's 1st House District, where the late Rep. Mark Nakashima won 100% of the vote despite having passed away on July 11. This outcome will require Governor Josh Green to appoint a replacement from a list provided by the Democratic Party.
The Big Island mayoral race proved to be highly competitive, with incumbent Mayor Mitch Roth failing to secure the necessary 50% of votes to win outright. Roth, who received approximately 39% of the votes, will likely face psychologist Kimo Alameda in a runoff during the November 5 general election.
Alameda, who garnered about 28% of the vote, emerged as Roth's closest competitor. The remaining candidates, including hotel general manager Breeani Kobayashi and pastor Junior Tupa'i, did not receive enough support to qualify for the runoff. This tight mayoral race highlights the diverse political landscape of Hawaii Island and the importance of local issues in shaping voter preferences.
The defeat of Hawaii House Speaker Scott Saiki by Kim Coco Iwamoto in the Democratic primary for House District 25 stands out as one of the most significant outcomes of the election. Saiki, who has represented the urban district that includes Ala Moana, Kakaako, and downtown Honolulu for nearly three decades, narrowly won previous primary battles against Iwamoto in 2020 and 2022.
During this year's campaign, Saiki emphasized the accomplishments of Hawaii's previous legislative session, including efforts in disaster relief and tax cuts. However, Iwamoto's campaign focused on criticizing Saiki's record on key issues such as condo insurance rates and the minimum wage.
Iwamoto, a progressive civil rights attorney and former school board member, argued that the longtime lawmaker had failed to adequately address the needs of his constituents. If she wins the general election, Iwamoto will make history as the first openly transgender official to join the Hawaii House of Representatives.
The primary results have set the stage for several competitive races in the upcoming general election. In District 23, Ben Shafer's victory over Clayton Hee in the Democratic primary sets up a closely watched contest against Republican State Sen. Brenton Awa, who ran unopposed in the Republican primary. This race is expected to be one of the most competitive in Hawaii as Awa and Shafer vie for control of one of the state's few swing districts.
In conclusion, the Hawaii state primary elections of 2024 have produced several surprising outcomes and competitive races. The defeat of long-serving incumbents, the emergence of new political faces, and the potential for historic representation highlight the dynamic nature of Hawaii's political landscape. As the state moves towards the general election, these primary results set the stage for closely watched contests that will shape Hawaii's future governance.
