HILO, Hawai'i — Big Island mayoral candidate Billy Kenoi garnered one of the first major campaign endorsements of the season this week, winning the backing of the United Public Workers union. The UPW has about 2,000 members on the Big Island.

The endorsement may also be significant because Kenoi's best-known opponent, state Sen. Lorraine Inouye, traditionally has enjoyed strong support from labor. Inouye was Big Island mayor from 1990 to 1992.

Kenoi, 39, worked as a deputy public defender in Honolulu from 1997 to 2001, when he resigned to become executive assistant to Big Island Mayor Harry Kim. He resigned from that post late last year to run for mayor.

Kenoi said he has raised about $87,000 so far for the campaign. Other candidates in the race include Hilo County Councilman Stacy Higa and Kona County Councilman Angel Pilago.