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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Sunday, September 24, 2006

Tanaka, Harbin lose seats

By Gordon Y.K. Pang and Lynda Arakawa
Advertiser Staff Writers

Kam Tanaka

Angus McElvey

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Bev Harbin

Karl Rhoads

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Jan Yagi Buen

Shan Tsutsui

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Two incumbent representatives lost their primary races yesterday, while several tight races kept candidates up until early this morning.

Democrat Kam Tanaka, first elected in 2004, lost to Angus McElvey, the vice president of a publishing and graphic company. McElvey will go up against Republican Ben Azman.

Bev Harbin lost to attorney Karl Rhoads in the Democratic primary for the 28th House District (Iwilei, Chinatown, Kaka'ako). Rhodes will face Republican Colin Wong. Harbin, who was appointed by Republican Gov. Linda Lingle last year when Ken Hiraki resigned, was a controversial figure during her short tenure.

Twenty or fewer votes separated candidates in three races. Thirteen votes separated leader Joey Manahan from second-place candidate Earl Cachola in the Democratic primary for the 29th House District (Kalihi, Sand Island). Kurt Zuttermeister beat Minoo Elison by 13 votes in the 49th House District (Kane'ohe, Maunawili, Enchanted Lake) GOP primary. In the 10th House District (W. Maui), Ben Azman defeated Kay Ghean by 20 votes.

Democrats saw contested races for 12 House and four Senate seats. On the GOP side, there were seven House and three Senate contests.

Incumbent Sen. Shan Tsutsui, D-4th (Kahului) defeated former Sen. Jan Yagi Buen in a rematch of their 2002 contest, getting a free ride in the general election.

George Yamamoto, a retired police captain, defeated Janice Salcedo Lehner and Chuck Anthony in the Democratic primary for the 19th Senate District (Kapolei, Makakilo, Waikele) seat to replace Democrat Brian Kanno. On the Republican side, former City Councilman Mike Gabbard beat Robert Fong.

In the 24th Senate District (Kailua, Kane'ohe) race to replace Bob Hogue, Republican legislative staffer Keoki Leong won over attorney Tom Pico in the GOP primary. Democrat Jill Tokuda had no opposition yesterday.

Incumbent Les Ihara in the 9th Senate District (Kapahulu, Kaimuki, Palolo) finished ahead of Board of Education Chairman Randall Yee by more than 1,000 votes in the Democratic primary. The winner will go up against Republican Gladys Hayes.

Eleven incumbent lawmakers — five senators and six representatives — won re-election outright because they have no opposition in the November general election.

In other contested races:

• Rep. Mike Kahikina, D-44th (Nanakuli, Honokai Hale), defeated Democratic challenger Cynthia Rezentes. Republican Karen Awana defeated Tercia Ku on the GOP side.

• Rep. Anne Stevens, R-23rd (Waikiki, Ala Moana, Kaka'ako), finished ahead of fellow Republican Mike Peters. Tom Brower won the Democratic primary, followed by Rex Saunders and Louis Erteschik.

• House District 4 (Puna): Faye Hanohano finished ahead of Gerard Silva, Luana Jones and Sara Burgess. Hanohano will face Libertarian Aaron Anderson and Republican Brian Jordan.

• House District 11 (S. Maui): Democrat Joe Bertram defeated Stephen West, while Republican Tony Fisher defeated Graham Mottola.

• House District 15 (Lihu'e, Koloa): Democratic candidate James Tokioka won over Linda Estes. Tokioka will face Republican Ron Agor.

• House District 16 (Po'ipu, Waimea): Democrat Roland Sagum defeated Rhoda Libre and will compete against Republican JoAnne Georgi in the general election.

• House District 25 (Makiki, Tantalus): Democrat Della Au Belatti defeated John Steelquist, with Joy Matsuda Turbeville finishing in third place. Belatti will run against Republican Tracy Okubo in the general election.

• House District 29 (Kalihi, Sand Island): Democrat Joey Manahan defeated Earl Cacholaand will will face Republican Ken Harding.

• House District 30 (Moanalua, Kalihi Valley): John Mizuno won the Democratic primary, followed by Terry Visperas, Bill Woods and Charmaine Crockett. Mizuno will face Republican Rick Manayan, Green Party candidate Frank DeGiacomo and nonpartisan candidate Dana Patria.