State Sen. Ron Menor, D-17th (Mililani, Waipi'o) was knocked out of his job by city official Michelle Kidani, while Sen. Clarence Nishihara, D-18th (Waipahu, Pearl City), staved off a challenge by Rep. Alex Sonson, D-35th (Waipahu, Crestview).

On the Big Island, state Rep. Josh Green, D-6th (Kailua, Keauhou), beat former councilwoman and representative Virginia Isbell in a winner-take-all Democratic race to replace Republican Paul Whalen for the 3rd Senate District (Kohala, Kona, Ka'u) seat.

All three races featured only Democratic candidates so Kidani, Nishihara and Green will take their seats in the Senate in January.

Kidani, who has long been a Mililani community leader but is little known outside political circles, was the most surprising legislative winner last night. The victory likely was aided by Menor's run-in with the law earlier this year.

Menor, 52, served two days in jail in May after pleading no contest to driving under the influence of alcohol. "There's no question the DUI question was an issue that was being considered by the voters," he said. Menor was seeking his third term to the seat. In all, he has served two decades in the Legislature.

"This is all part of the democratic process and I accept the judgment of the vote in this election," Menor said. The two-term senator said he was most proud of his work on consumer and environmental issues.

"I'm just thankful we had an opportunity to promote measures to achieve energy independence for Hawai'i in the future," Menor said.

Kidani, 59, said she was mildly surprised after early returns. "I thought I would be trailing because Ron has had a campaign chest of about $200,000," she said.

Kidani is executive assistant to the city Neighborhood Commission Office. She previously was an administrator for MedQuest and was a senior adviser to former Councilwoman Rene Mansho. This is her first attempt at elected office.

In another tight Central O'ahu legislative race, Nishihara held off a spirited challenge from Sonson, the maverick House member who made the rare decision to forego what likely would have been an easy re-election bid in order to challenge an incumbent senator from his party.

Nishihara, a retired educator, said he expected the race to be decisive — either in his favor or Sonson's. "I thought either I was going to be way ahead of him or he was going to be way ahead of me," he said. "I guess 2 percentage points is good."

Nishihara credited his campaign for its hard work, as well as support he received from fellow lawmakers who came out to support him.

Sonson, an attorney, has spent the past six years in the House. After the third printout, Sonson was reminded that he ran four times for a House seat before he won his first race in 2002. "I'll be around, I'll be back," Sonson said.

State Rep. Rida Cabanilla, D-42nd (Waipahu, 'Ewa) pulled out a stunning, come-from-behind victory over newcomer Mike Schultz, a University of Hawai'i political science student and research analyst. Cabanilla trailed narrowly in each of the first two printouts but was ahead by nearly 200 votes after the third printout. Schultz, the son of retired rear admiral who lives at his parents' West Loch home, credited his strong showing to a growing sentiment for change and to key union endorsements.

Cabanilla will now face Republican Tom Berg, the legislative aide she fired earlier this year who ran unopposed in the Republican primary last night.

In other closely watched House races: