The Republican governor, who, with Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona, spoke to supporters at Dole Cannery after more than half the ballots were counted, said she will make public education, affordable housing, tax relief and land-use issues priorities in her second four-year term.

"You have our commitment that we will continue to wake up every day and focus our complete attention on how we can make life better for the families all across our state," said Lingle, the first Republican governor to win re-election. "We promise you that."

Iwase said the first thing he wanted to do was recover his voice, which had grown hoarse over the past few days, and decompress with his family. Iwase and his running mate, former Big Island state Sen. Malama Solomon, were closer to Lingle among voters on the Neighbor Islands than on O'ahu.

"Please govern our state wisely, and work with the Democratic Legislature," Iwase said before well-wishers at the Disabled American Veterans hall near Keehi Lagoon. "We're very proud, Malama and I, in looking at what's happened in this election, both nationally and locally — with one notable exception."

Many voters told The Associated Press in an exit poll they disapprove of the war in Iraq and President Bush's job performance, but that negativity did not transfer to Lingle. Iwase and other state Democrats had tried to link Lingle to Bush and plug into the national sentiment.

Diana Snyder, a retired retail buyer who lives in Wai'alae Iki, said she wanted to encourage a strong two-party competition in a state that has been dominated by Democrats.

"It's a nice check and balance," Snyder said. "I think Linda has a good agenda and she is plodding through it well. I don't think she should be interrupted."

Paul Smythe, a waiter who lives in Makiki, said he went with Democrats down the ballot.

"I'm just kind of hoping for a little bit of change with the way things have gone with the war in Iraq and with the president," he said.

Iwase not only had long odds working against him, but history as well. Since statehood, only Republican Gov. William Quinn in 1962 has lost a re-election campaign for governor.

Lingle raised more than $6.5 million for her campaign and her high approval ratings made her the favorite. The failure of Democrats to find a well-known candidate to oppose her robbed the party of the chance to raise enough money for a serious challenge. Iwase was not accepted by the party's establishment until after he won the September primary and the support often appeared more dutiful than passionate. He was only able to raise $328,000 — not enough to brand him statewide as an alternative to Lingle.

"I think it will be another four years of good government, another four years of positive economic gain," said Sam Aiona, the state GOP chairman.

Mike McCartney, the chairman of the Democratic Party of Hawai'i, congratulated Lingle. "The voters have spoken. Now Hawai'i has to come together and work together," McCartney said. "We'll work with her."