State Rep. Jessica Wooley toppled House Majority Leader Pono Chong in Windward Oahu on Saturday, as redistricting forced some legislators into tough races where they faced off against other Democratic incumbents.
"We had a great campaign — it was very community- and issue-based," Wooley said. "I’m just very thankful and humble for all the people who came out to help."
The contest for the 48th District (Kahaluu-Ahuimanu-Kaneohe) was one of a few that could help shape the direction of the state House. Chong, 41, is closely aligned with House Speaker Calvin Say, while Wooley is part of a dissident group that has challenged the speaker.
"It was a tough campaign from the beginning, the way the lines were drawn," Chong said. "The majority of the district was in her area. It was an uphill battle."
With no Republican opposition for the seat, everything was on the line in the primary election. House Finance Chairman Marcus Oshiro and other committee chairmen went out and waved signs for Chong in the final days before the election.
A former deputy attorney general, Wooley was first elected in 2008. She said her focus is on community issues and the needs of working families, as well as promoting agriculture and the environment.
"I’m hopeful that it will mean a lot of positive change in government, better fiscal policy and land use and environmental policy," she said.
In another House race that pitted incumbents against each other, longtime Rep. K. Mark Takai soundly defeated Rep. Heather Giugni, who was appointed by the governor in February to the 33rd District seat (Halawa-Aiea-Newtown). Takai normally would have the advantage in the race, given his 18 years in elected office, but he lost most of his former district when lines were redrawn.
"Although my base is intact in Newtown, the rest of the district is all new," said Takai, a member of the dissident House faction. "So I had to do a lot of work."
Giugni, an independent filmmaker and Aiea resident, was on the ballot for the first time, although she grew up in politics as the daughter of the late Henry Giugni, longtime aide to U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye.
"I was very, very fortunate in my first campaign to have such an enthusiastic, energetic and inspirational team," Giugni said.
In a rare Republican battle, Richard Fale, a 31-year-old paralegal, surprised observers by knocking out Rep. Gil Riviere, 52, in District 47 (Waialua-Kahuku- Waiahole) after boundaries shifted in redistricting.
In a matchup between two former legislators hoping to make a comeback, Bertrand "Bert" Kobayashi, 68, derailed Brian Yamane, 65, in the contest for the 19th House District (Diamond Head-Kaimuki-Kapahulu). Kobayashi served in the House and Senate in a legislative career that spanned 16 years, and also ran the state’s community hospitals.
"It’s a challenge to reintroduce yourself to voters without sounding like a dinosaur," Kobayashi said. "You have to say that your experience from a long time ago is still relevant and potentially useful for a second round."
Kobayashi, who chaired several committees at the Legislature, was backed by the major unions. He describes himself as a moderate on fiscal issues and a progressive on social issues.
On Maui, Rep. Gil Keith-Agaran, head of the powerful Judiciary Committee, faced a strong challenge from Joe Pontanilla, who was barred by term limits from staying on the Maui County Council. But Keith-Agaran prevailed in House District 9 (Kahului-Wailuku-Puunene). With no Republican candidate, Keith-Agaran has gained re-election.
Keith-Agaran was initially appointed to his seat and had run for re-election just once before, while Pontanilla had been elected five times to his Kahului district.
"I clearly feel that I was the underdog," Keith-Agaran said. "He’s well-known; he’s been representing the area. This is only my second election."
In the sprawling House District 45, which stretches from Mililani to Mokuleia, voters opted for a fresh face. First-time candidate Jake Bradshaw defeated veteran legislator Ollie Lunasco, who spent a decade in the House in the 1970s.
Bradshaw, an active member of the Young Democrats of Hawaii and former property manager, was making his first bid for public office at age 31. He was endorsed by many unions, including the AFL-CIO, Hawaii Government Employees Association, the teachers, laborers and carpenters. He calls himself a "very old-school Democrat" with a focus on education and infrastructure. He will face Republican Lauren Cheape in the general election.
An open seat in District 40 (Ewa Beach-Iroquois Point), was hotly contested, but Chris Manabat came out on top among the six Democratic candidates. Manabat, a 27-year-old office manager at the state Capitol, was running in his first election. He will face Bob McDermott, a former state representative, the lone Republican in the race.
Gregg Takayama, public affairs director for the University of Hawaii, narrowly defeated former state Sen. Eloise Yamashita Tungpalan in District 34, (Pearl City-Waimalu-Pacific Palisades). Takayama gained office, as there is no Republican candidate.
Romy Cachola, 74, is headed back to the state House after a stint on the City Council. Nicole Velasco, 26, a first-time candidate who used to work for the state auditor, fell just short in that race for District 30 (Sand Island-Kalihi-Airport).
Rep. Scott Saiki, a leader of the dissident faction that opposes Say, easily turned aside Lei Ahu Isa in House District 26 (Downtown-Kakaako-McCully).
