Second printout
By B.J. Reyes
Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann enjoys a comfortable lead in his race for re-election, while the gap has closed on a City Charter amendment for the steel-on-steel rail transit system that he strongly favors, according to the second printout released by the state Office of Elections.
Hannemann leads City Councilwoman Ann Kobayashi 55.6 percent to 41.3 percent.
Meanwhile, approval of a steel-on-steel rail transit system is being supported by 50.2 percent of voters, compared to 46 percent, with 78 of 212 precincts reporting. Support for the rail system was leading 53 percent to 47 percent after the first printout.
In the local races, Democratic Party officials in Hawaii had been hopeful for high turnout in support of Barack Obama translating to support for Democratic candidates locally. After the second printout it seems that hope may have come to fruition.
One of the biggest upsets could be brewing in the 51st House District, Lanikai-Waimanalo, where Democratic newcomer Chris Lee has a sizable lead over well-funded former House Minority Leader Quentin Kawananakoa. Lee has almost twice as many votes, 3,572 to 1,713 with four of seven precincts counted. The winner succeeds Democrat Tommy Waters, who chose not to seek re-election.
In the Laie-Kahuku House District, longtime Republican incumbent Rep. Colleen Meyer is losing to challenger Jessica Wooley, 1,589 votes to 1,290 votes with two of six precincts counted.
And in the state Senate district representing Waikiki-Ala Moana, former Democratic Party Chairman and television personality Brickwood Galuteria leads incumbent GOP Sen. Gordon Trimble, 3,581 votes to 3,237 votes withsix of nine precincts counted.
From reporter Craig Gima: Office of Elections spokesman Rex Quidilla says a third printout scheduled for release at 9:30 p.m. will include 96 percent of the vote.
From reporter Rob Shikina who was at Kobayashi headquarters:
Kobayashi showed up at 8:15 to a standing ovation. She made the rounds in a blue blazer and dark blue slacks, giving hugs while covered in lei. She made her rounds with the media on a platform in the back of the room, while at the same time, a group was line dancing on the other side of the room.
“Ann is number one,” some supporters shouted.
“We still have a lot of optimism,” Susan Kobayashi, Kobayashi’s daughter, said just recently. She heard that the second printout was only a third of the vote and contains a lot of voters that didn’t have the information from the draft environmental impact statement on the city’s proposed rail project.
“The reason why my mom ran was to get the truth out,” she said. “She’s definately accomplished that.”
