It's Gov. Green, Hawaii favors Democrats in state and congressional races, Maui ousts its mayor, more top midterm election news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii voters pick Democrat Josh Green to be next governor. A new era in Hawaii politics and leadership begins in December when Josh Green is sworn in as the state’s ninth governor following his sweeping win Tuesday night over three-time Republican candidate James “Duke” Aiona. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. Associated Press. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Newcomer Tokuda joins Hawaii’s congressional team. U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz and U.S. Rep. Ed Case kept their seats Tuesday and will be joined by newcomer Jill Tokuda, who prevailed in the race for Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional District. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Associated Press. Hawaii News Now.

Galuteria returns to politics with at-large OHA seat. A former state senator and onetime chair of the Democratic Party of Hawaii completed his return to politics Tuesday by finishing first among six candidates vying for three at-large seats on the Board of Trustees at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s Voter Turnout Plunged In 2022 Election. Many voters waited in long lines to vote in person on Election Day but turnout still only reached 41%, according to results as of late Tuesday. Civil Beat.

Hawaii voters turn out last-minute to cast ballots. Voters turned up in force at major voter service centers in Hawaii on Election Day, either to drop off ballots or vote in person. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Election night keeps staff, volunteers busy at the state's counting center. The State Capitol served as the counting center for Tuesday night's elections. This is the final stop for the ballots. Here, the ballots are counted and then locked up again for safety. KITV4.

Oahu

Incumbents Har, Eli trailing in close races. Three incumbent state lawmakers are on a path to being knocked out of Hawaii’s Legislature by voters, based on largely complete general election results. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Council chair keeps post; 3 new members elected. Honolulu City Council Chair Tommy Waters has kept his seat, but the Council will see three new faces following Tuesday’s general election. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Oahu voters pass 3 charter amendments; 4th likely to fail. Oahu voters in Tuesday’s general election approved three amendments to Honolulu’s City Charter — changing the future makeup of the Planning Commission, bolstering the Clean Water and Natural Lands Fund, and incorporating the Office of Council Services. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Voters Lined Up In A Last-Minute Crush At City Hall. Old-school voters gnashed their teeth at election changes and wondered why there are only two in-person polling places on the island. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Richards becomes senator for North Hawaii: Democrats sweep Big Island seats. Democrat Tim Richards easily skated past Republican Nicholas M. Tancheff for the open District 4 seat in the state Senate, leading Tancheff by 6,363 votes with all mailed ballots — 41.3% of registered voters — counted Tuesday night. West Hawaii Today. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Kahaloa wins new House district. Hawaii Island earned an eighth seat in the state House of Representatives this election year, and the first candidate to fill it is Democrat Kirstin A.K. Kahaloa, who vanquished her Republican opponent, Jonathan P. Kennealy, with 66.6% of the votes, based on mail ballots representing 41.3% of registered voters. West Hawaii Today. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Voters Elect New Council Member, Adopt 3 Charter Amendments. Voters overwhelmingly passed charter amendments to expand the ethics board, strengthen the auditor’s office and create a youth commission. Civil Beat. Big Island Now.

Kagiwada squeaks by Kusch for Hilo council seat. Jenn Kagiwada edged Matthias Kusch by 276 votes in a hotly contested District 2 County Council race between two political first-timers in Tuesday night’s general election. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Incumbent Maui Mayor Victorino is defeated. Challenger Richard Bissen convincingly beat incumbent Michael Victorino in the hotly contested race for Maui County mayor. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Hawaii Public Radio. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Bissen takes early lead in mayor’s race; Hokama and Johnson locked in tight Lanai race. The first round of results also showed a tight race for the Lanai residency seat on the Maui County Council, with former Council Member Riki Hokama leading incumbent Council Member Gabe Johnson with 13,428 votes to 12,933 votes.  Maui News.

Kauai

Derek Kawakami Cruises To Another Term As Mayor. Voters overwhelmingly reelected Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami to a second four-year term in the county’s top executive seat in the general election on Tuesday, according to preliminary results. Civil Beat. Garden Island. Kauai Now. Hawaii News Now.

Kaua‘i council race preliminary results: Bulosan in. In the county council race, voters mainly favored the status quo. Of the seven candidates leading in the first printout of results, six are either incumbents or former county council members. Garden Island.