The diversity of the communities of Windward O'ahu presents broad challenges to the lawmakers who would represent the area. From Waimanalo to Lanikai, the residential community of 'Ahuimanu to the agriculture and tourism-dependent North Shore, issues such as traffic congestion, agriculture and the cost of living are high on the list of residents' concerns.

In Senate District 23 (Kane'ohe, Kahuku), the clear choice is the incumbent, Clayton Hee. The veteran lawmaker, who chairs the Water and Land Committee, is close to his community and has worked hard to protect its interests, particularly in his support of preserving Turtle Bay from development and taking a leading role in preventing the closure of Kahuku Hospital. His experience gives him an edge over opponent Richard Fale, a combat engineer and paralegal in the 100th Infantry Battalion.

Hee's strong skills as a legislator should prove useful in promoting issues important to the district, including improvements in traffic management along Kamehameha Highway; protecting the area's smaller schools while dealing with education budget cuts; promoting wind-energy development in Kahuku; and preserving jobs during the economic downturn.

In House District 46 (Schofield, Mokule'ia, North Shore), voters have a choice between two noteworthy candidates: incumbent Michael Magaoay and his Republican opponent, well-known community activist Gil Riviere. The Advertiser endorses Magaoay, a Waialua native whose roots run deep in the large, diverse community he has served since 2000.

Magaoay, chairman of the Legislative Management committee, has been a behind-the-scenes lawmaker who nonetheless has fought hard for his constituents: He sought support for laid-off Del Monte workers; worked to keep Kahuku Hospital open; and worked for the preservation of Pupukea Paumalu and Waimea Valley.

Nonetheless, his campaign fundraising efforts that targeted members of the charity sector — after he became House grants-in-aid manager in 2002 — have sown seeds of suspicion of quid pro quo. Although cleared by the state Ethics Commission, Magaoay must remain transparent with his campaign finances.

In House District 47 (La'ie, Hau'ula, Punalu'u), The Advertiser endorses another experienced incumbent, Republican Colleen Meyer, who has held the seat for 14 years.

Meyer faces a respectable challenger: Democrat Jessica Wooley, a former deputy attorney general and Legal Aid lawyer, endorsed by the major government unions and the Sierra Club.

Meyer is a fiscal conservative, at a time when the state faces major budget shortfalls.

She believes in cutting spending, renegotiating with the unions, protecting the interests of small business owners and tax relief.

And in a Legislature increasingly dominated by a single party, a strong alternative voice, especially on pocketbook issues, is healthy for our democracy.

In House District 51 (Lanikai, Waimanalo), the race also presents a stark contrast: a 27-year-old newcomer squaring off against a longtime political kama'aina.

The Advertiser endorses the Democratic newcomer, Chris Lee, over his opponent, Quentin Kawananakoa.

Lee, an office manager and analyst in the Legislature, displays an impressive depth of knowledge about his district, offering sensible priorities for addressing critical issues.

In Waimanalo, for instance, he points out the need to restructure rather than close schools with enrollment declines; provide long-term care facilities for an aging population; traffic mitigation and improved infrastructure to handle the growth in Hawaiian homesteads.

Hawai'i voters should always be on the lookout for the next generation of quality leadership. They can make a good start with Chris Lee.