State Legislature - Neighbor Island Races

BIG ISLAND

Dwight Takamine: The 24-year House veteran will vacate his seat to run for the state Senate

Ted Hong: The Hilo attorney and former state labor negotiator will battle Takamine

On the Big Island, the decision of two current legislators to run for open state Senate positions led to a flurry of candidates for the now-open House seats.

In Senate District 1, which covers Hilo to Honokaa, the decision of Democrat Lorraine Inouye of Hilo to run again for mayor led state Rep. Dwight Takamine to run for her seat.

Takamine, who has held his House seat since 1984, will face stiff competition from Republican Ted Hong, a Hilo attorney with a well-financed campaign. Hong, a former state chief labor negotiator, had been nominated by Gov. Linda Lingle to become a Circuit Court judge but was rejected by a 13-12 vote, with the help of Inouye.

In Takamine’s old seat, House District 1, which covers Hawi to Hilo, five candidates are vying for a seat that has been filled by Takamine or his father since statehood.

For the Democrats, resort owner Ken Fujiyama will face off against Jo Kim, a Pauuilo attorney and varsity soccer coach, as well as Mark Nakashima, a representative of the Hawaii State Teachers Association, and Lynn “Kalama” Nakkim, an author, horse rancher and former professor.

In the general election, they will face either Republican Steven Offenbaker, an aide to County Councilman Dominic Yagong, or Eric “Drake” Weinert Jr., a 2003 Hilo High grad who recently received his bachelor’s degree in computer science from Montana State University.

In Senate District 3, which covers Milolii to Waimea, Republican Paul Whalen’s decision to retire has left that seat to two Democrats, state Rep. Josh Green, a physician and current representative for the 6th District, or Virginia Isbell, a former county councilwoman from Central Kona and former state representative.

Green’s decision to leave the House has left four candidates vying for the seat in District 6, which covers Keauhou to Honokohau.

In the primary, George “Denny” Coffman, a retiree who is vice chairman of the West Hawaii Democratic Party, will face off against Gene “Bucky” Leslie, a florist and member of the Hawaii Island Burial Council, and Maegan MacGregor of Kailua-Kona.

The winner will face Republican Andrew “Andy” Smith, Lingle’s West Hawaii liaison.