East Honolulu, extending from McCully and Waikiki to Koko Crater and beyond, is a region considered finished with its development boom.

Yet, change looms on the horizon, and many people are worried about continued construction in the Hawai'i Kai area. Closer to town, questions loom about the impact of a proposed rail systemand the redevelopment that would result.

Although many of these issues lie within the purview of city government, growth has impact on schools and other public needs addressed by state lawmakers, who also serve as liaisons on general community concerns. Voters look with interest and expectation toward the leaders seeking to represent them at the state Capitol. The right mix of talent is essential.

Two of the seats are vacant this election year. The 17th District (Hawai'i Kai, Kalama Valley) and the 23rd District (Waikiki, Ala Moana, Kaka'ako) are open, with the departures of two GOP representatives: Bud Stonebraker and Galen Fox. Fox resigned mid-term, and Republican Anne Stevens, whom Gov. Linda Lingle appointed to fill the vacancy, is now seeking election to the seat.

Although Stevens has rightly called attention to poor harbor conditions and other needs of her district, The Advertiser finds that her Democratic opponent, Tom Brower, has a better grasp of the full range of issues. An active member of the Waikiki Neighborhood Board, Brower also has put in time meeting with constituents, both individual voters and businesses. His pledge to hold the line on excise taxes and to advocate for affordable healthcare indicates a moderate approach essential for a Democrat hoping to represent a largely Republican district.

By contrast, the GOP hopeful seems best suited to fill the Hawai'i Kai seat. Gene Ward, a former lawmaker who represented the adjacent 18th District before reapportionment changed the boundary lines, would come to the job with more experience in the community than his Democratic rival, A.J. Halagao.

A relative Isle newcomer, Halagao is intelligent and shows potential that would be best reaped after he spends more time with community issues. Ward's globe-trotting through the Peace Corps (most recently in East Timor) gives him a big-picture perspective that, coupled with a pro-business stance, could serve the state well as it looks overseas for economic partnerships.

In the remaining districts, The Advertiser endorses the incumbents. All of them bring key strengths to the Legislature and deserve to return to office.

GOP stalwart Barbara Marumoto, R-19th District (Kaimuki, Kahala, Wai'alae Iki), in office for 28 years, remains responsive and deeply connected to her community and would work to bring more of the state's education dollars to the classroom.

Lyla Berg, D-18th District (Kahala, 'Aina Haina, Kuli'ou'ou) is similarly popular with her constituents for her firm commitment to education, among other core values. She would seek more funds for early-education opportunities, which would be a worthy investment.

In the 21st District (Kapahulu, Diamond Head), Democrat Scott Nishimoto has shown an admirable devotion to his district's community centers and schools, raising the morale of students and teachers with his self-styled program of awards, scholarships and grants. He also cites affordable housing and long-term care among his top priorities, which is encouraging.

East Honolulu residents are contending with a range of parochial problems as well as their fair share of statewide concerns. Overall, the slate of candidates represented here brings a needed blend of political perspectives and varied ideas to the table, to the benefit of their varied constituencies.