Big Island voters made their preferences clear in early results from Saturday’s primary about who they want to fill four open seats on the Hawai‘i County Council next term and who else should move on to the November general election.

Three council members — Ashley Kierkiewicz, Matt Kanealiʻi-Kleinfelder and Rebecca Villegas — will all term out at the end of this year, and Michelle Galimba is not seeking another two-year term. These openings could significantly shift the power dynamics and priorities within the nine-member council.

The leading candidates to fill those seats, according to early results, are Manu Powers for District 7, Shannon Matson for District 5, Guy Enriques for District 6 and Eileen O’Hara for District 4.

For the incumbents trying to keep their seats, Dennis “Fresh” Onishi was on track to win outright with 64% of the vote, beating his only opponent, Kelton Chang, who lost in 2022 as well. Onishi will represent District 3, which covers south Hilo. He has worked for the county for over 20 years and previously represented District 3 and District 4 as a council member for eight years.

“I’m just happy that my constituents still remember how hard I work, and they have the confidence in me,” Onishi said Saturday night. He’s excited to continue projects he’s been working on during the current term, he added.

Heather Kimball was fending off Ren Del Rosario, and was in the lead with 60.9% of the vote — enough to win outright.

“I’m just so grateful to have earned the trust and support from my community once again,” Kimball said Saturday night.

Her experience will be critical over the next two-year term, she added. “With at least four new council members in the next term, it’s really going to shift the dynamics a lot and I think that’s part of why I was successful today.”

Jenn Kagiwada, whose district covers North Hilo and downtown Hilo, was just barely beating out four other candidates with 50.6% of the vote. If she maintains her lead, she will win outright. Otherwise she’s on track to face Wendy Botelho, who received 18% of the vote, in November.

“Obviously we’ll be waiting for the next round of results but I’m so so thankful for my supporters and people who turned out, and also happy for my competition,” said Kagiwada. “It’s always good to have competition.”

Guy Enriques had the most votes in the equally crowded race for District 6. The largest district on the island, it stretches from Volcano Village to Kealakekua. Enriques had 31% of the vote, early returns show, while Zed Kaʻapana Aki had 23% of the vote. They’re expected to square off in the general election.

“We’re hoping to continue in this direction, or turn things for the better in our favor,” said Aki, who is running for the first time. “If we go to the runoff in November we’re looking forward to it — and we still more than ever want to serve the community.”

Enriques said he was, “excited about the early results.”

Current Council Chair Holeka Inaba, who represents District 8, ran unopposed along with incumbent James Hustace, who represents District 9.

The council wields tremendous local power. It makes new laws, sets property tax rates, establishes the county’s budget and guides development on the 4,000-square-mile island that around 209,000 people call home.

Many critical decisions will be in the hands of the council over the next two years. Members will have to navigate delivering essential services while balancing a tight budget as the county faces a significant deficit over the next few years.

The next council will also need to decide on the future of the controversial Homeless and Housing Fund, meet federal deadlines to repair the island’s wastewater infrastructure and address multiple concerns with the recently passed General Plan 45.

Among the five candidates who received more than 50% of the vote —putting them on track to win outright — on Saturday, only one is a new face: Powers.

She is on track to represent District 7, which covers North Kona, after winning 66% of the vote. She beat two other candidates, Mark Henriques and Eddie Ombac, to fill the seat left by Villegas.

Powers was raised in Kalapana and moved to Kona in 2001. She’s a long-time small business owner and community organizer who serves as a board and committee member for numerous nonprofit organizations.

Powers ran a grassroots campaign, declining donations from unions, corporations and political action committees. Yet, she managed to raise over $27,000 this election period, largely from small business owners in Kona. Powers raised the second highest amount out of all council candidates, behind Kimball.

“I want to congratulate the men who shared this race with me and thank them for their commitment to our community,” Powers said late on Saturday night. “Running for public office takes courage, and I admire the dedication they both brought to this campaign. This is a humbling experience, and in my case, one that highlighted the challenges and opportunities ahead. I look forward dedicating my time and energy to both.”

Advancing To The General Election

Four races will likely be decided in the general election in November, based on early results, as no candidate in these races received more than 50% of the vote.

In the race for District 5, which covers upper Puna, Matson was narrowly ahead of four other candidates with 23.9% of the vote. In November, she’ll likely face off against Ikaika Rodenhurst, who had 23.5% of the vote. The winner will replace council member Matt Kaneali’i-Kleinfelder, who is terming out. His wife, Dawn Kaneali’i-Kleinfelder, was not far behind Rodenhurst with 22.7% of the votes, early results show.

The former District 5 councilman reached for higher office but lost the Democratic primary for State House District 5 against incumbent Jeanne Kapela by a wide margin.

“It’s way too close to call,” Matson said after the first tally, “but I’m grateful for the support of my community and volunteers to put me on the top for the first printout.”

Rodenhurst had just wrapped up coaching football on Saturday night at Keaʻau High School when the second round of returns came in. He told Civil Beat he was, “diligently waiting for the final count,” and “grateful for everyone who voted and those who supported my campaign.”

O’Hara won the race for District 4 with 37% of the vote. The former one-term councilwoman previously lost her bid for reelection against Ashley Kierkiewicz in 2018 amidst the Kīlauea eruption that destroyed large swaths of lower Puna. O’Hara will face off against Lloyd Enriquez, who won 25% of the vote.

“I expected this more or less because of the number of candidates in the race, they’re really good people,” O’Hara said. “I’m really appreciative of the support.”

The general election will take place on Nov. 3. Ballots will be in mailboxes around Oct. 16.