Hawai'i voters overwhelmingly sent U.S. Reps. Neil Abercrombie and Mazie Hirono, both Democrats, back to Congress last night.

Abercrombie, 70, who represents urban Honolulu, easily turned away the Republican challenge from Steve Tataii, a 59-year-old independent conflict resolution consultant.

Hirono, 60, represents rural O'ahu and the Neighbor Islands. She had nearly the same overwhelming vote ratio over her Republican challenger, Roger Evans, a 69-year-old retired restaurant owner.

Abercrombie was an early supporter of President-elect Barack Obama and a family friend. He has served in the House since 1986 and is chairman of the armed services subcommittee on air and land forces.

He previously served two years on the Honolulu City Council after a dozen years in the state Legislature.

Hirono just completed her first term in Congress.

Previously, she was Hawai'i's lieutenant governor for eight years under then-Gov. Ben Cayetano, after serving for 14 years in the state Legislature.

Abercrombie's 1st Congressional District covers the area from Makapu'u Point to 'Ewa Beach and north to Mililani.

Hirono's 2nd District encompasses the rest of the state.

Seats in the U.S. House are up for election every two years. Seats in the U.S. Senate are contested every six years.