Advertiser staff

WAILUKU, Maui — Two familiar Maui politicians appear well on the way in early vote counts last night to clearing their first hurdle to returning to office.

Both Wayne Nishiki of South Maui and Sol Kaho'ohalahala of Lana'i are holding solid leads in their respective council races.

In the only other council race contested in the primary, incumbent Jo Anne Johnson, 62, of West Maui has a convincing lead, with Alan Fukuyama a firm second and likely to face her in the Nov. 4 general election.

The top two vote-getters in each primary race advance. Although council members must run from a residency district, they are elected in a countywide vote.

Nishiki, 64, served on the council a total of 22 years and is attempting a comeback after a four-year absence. He was forced out of office in 2004 because of term limits, and was happy to sit on the sidelines while former aide Michelle Anderson held the South Maui seat for two terms before deciding not to seek re-election this year.

Don Couch, who worked as an executive assistant to former Mayor Alan Arakawa, is sitting comfortably in second place.

Kaho'ohalahala, 57, served two terms each on the council and in the state House, but has been out of office for four years. Farmer Alberta De Jetley, 63, and tour guide John Ornellas, 56, are virtually tied for the second spot, according to initial results.

Two councilman, Mike Victorino of Wailuku and Danny Mateo of Moloka'i, are unopposed. The four remaining council seats will be determined in the general election.