Both City Hall veterans faced opposition from lesser-known opponents.

Okino's district goes from Moanalua through 'Aiea-Pearl City up to Waipi'o-Gentry.

Okino, a Pearl Ridge resident, retired from the city after 30 years as a planner. He has been a staunch supporter of transit and enjoys a rare depth of background in most city issues from his three decades of experience.

He believes the biggest quality-of-life issue facing O'ahu is traffic congestion, and supports getting mass transit going within the decade.

Tam, a Pauoa resident, represents an urban Honolulu district that stretches from the older neighborhoods of Kalihi, Nu'uanu and Pauoa to the high-rise communities of Makiki and Kapi'olani.

He has served in local offices in Hawai'i for 24 years — as a state representative, state senator and most recently a councilman.

Tam's years of experience and reputation as a tireless campaigner give him the edge in a community where people worry about traffic, potholes and property taxes.

Two of the four City Council members up for re-election this year faced no opposition and were automatically re-elected after receiving a vote. They are: Council Chairman Donovan Dela Cruz, who represents the North Shore, Wahiawa, Mililani and the stretch of coastline from Mokule'ia through Kahalu'u as well as part of 'Ahuimanu and He'eia; and Councilman Charles Djou, whose district runs from Ala Moana through Waikiki and Diamond Head to Hawai'i Kai.

The Honolulu council races are nonpartisan. A candidate wins outright by receiving more than half the vote. Without that margin, the top two vote-getters would advance to a run-off race in the general election.

Tam faced opposition from political first-time candidate Mike Wilcox, a recording engineer in the music industry and a partner in a family-owned business in Pearl City.

Wilcox got involved in politics this year through another longtime interest, dirt track auto-racing and motorcycles.

He joined Save O'ahu's Race Tracks during the controversy over the closing of Hawai'i Raceway Park.

Okino faced challengers Kenneth Harmeyer, a professional driver who lives in Moanalua Valley; and Inam Rahman, a medical doctor who lives in Waipi'o-Gentry. Harmeyer had run once for a regional district park board in California, and Rahman had run for the U.S. House in 2006.

With his strong profile in the community, Okino led by a comfortable margin from the first results.