Todd Apo

Mike Gabbard

"Obviously, I think we got our message across about the changes we can bring to West O'ahu," he said.

As of the latest Honolulu voter results available after midnight, Apo appeared to have won the race outright by garnering slightly more than 50 percent of the vote.

But he said elections officials had indicated that some votes tallied by electronic machines and some absentee ballots might still be added to the final tally. And if that put him under 50 percent, he will face six more weeks of campaigning against second-place finisher Teruya.

Apo, 37, is an attorney who has been active in the development of the Wai'anae Coast's resort area. He also serves as president of the Leeward O'ahu Transportation Management Association and holds a position on the board of the Native Hawaiian Legal Corp.

Apo said he felt that his emphasis on finding ways to ease traffic helped his campaign, including a proposal to build a bridge from West Oahu to Ford Island as a new route to downtown.

Teruya, 48, was executive assistant to Gabbard. Before she took that job, she worked in the city's Neighborhood Commission office. She said she felt great when she found herself in second place in the early results. She said she was encouraged by several union endorsements including the Teamsters, the United Public Workers and the ILWU.

Teruya said she and her supporters began the campaign early. She said her 30 years in the community helped, too. "I'm a community grassroots leader," she said.

The primary contest drew five candidates with a wide range of community experience, and without an incumbent or any published polls, no clear front-runner developed. Other candidates were James Manaku and Cynthia Rezentes.

During the race, Apo emphasized his community experience and traffic and transportation issues.

Peters pitched himself as a candidate who would emphasize economic development and push for recycling.

Teruya stressed community experience and promised to focus on traffic problems. She favors a ban on expanding or developing new landfills in the area.

Rezentes emphasized her broad experience and said she would focus on traffic and solutions for solid-waste management.

Windward O'ahu Councilwoman Barbara Marshall faced a challenge from two lesser-known opponents and claimed outright victory by midnight.

A former television journalist completing her first term, Marshall was able to celebrate with supporters at Olomana Golf Course in Waimanalo by the second printout, when she moved far ahead of her nearest opponents.

"I am thrilled," Marshall said. "I take my staff out every month to talk to our community about what's important."

Her closest competition came from retired retail manager Merrily Prentiss.

The face of the council will remain mostly the same with a majority of the members keeping their seats.

Four did not have to run this year: City Council Chairman Donovan Dela Cruz, 2nd District (Wahiawa, North Shore); Charles Djou, 4th District (East Honolulu); Rod Tam; 6th District (Nu'uanu, Kaka'ako); and Gary Okino, 8th District (Pearl City, Waipi'o). Their terms expire in 2006.

Two other incumbents faced no opposition: Ann Kobayashi, 5th District (Makiki, Manoa, Kapahulu, Palolo); and Nestor Garcia, 9th District (Waipahu, Mililani, Makakilo).

Councilman Romy Cachola, 7th District (Airport, Kalihi), easily defeated challenger Rocky Ricarte.