Razor-thin margins separate candidates in three Hawaii primary races

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Three Hawaii primary races remained separated by razor-thin margins Sunday morning with just a handful of votes deciding the leaders.

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The latest statewide election printout, released shortly after 8 a.m. Sunday, shows incredibly tight races for state Senate District 20 and state House Districts 29 and 43.

Just 1 vote separates candidates in Kapolei-Makakilo race

The tightest race is the Republican primary for House District 43, where only one vote separates the two candidates.

Incumbent Kanani Souza leads Sheila Medeiros 841 votes to 840.

As there were no other party contests held in this district, the winner of the Republican primary takes the seat outright.

House District 43 covers Kapolei and Makakilo.

7 votes separate candidates in West Oʻahu Senate primary

In the Republican primary for Senate District 20, Bob McDermott leads incumbent Sen. Kurt Fevella by just seven votes.

Following the third round of results, McDermott received 1,211 votes (40.1%) compared with Fevella’s 1,204 votes (39.9%). Rida Cabanilla Arakawa was third with 331 votes.

The winner will advance to face Democratic candidate Markus Owens, who ran unopposed in the primary election.

Senate District 20 covers ‘Ewa Beach, Ocean Pointe, ‘Ewa by Gentry, Iroquois Point, and part of ‘Ewa Villages.

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View all election night coverage here.

Recount mandates triggered under state law

Under Hawaii state law, an automatic recount is triggered when the difference between candidates is equal to or less than 100 votes, or one-half of one percent of the total votes cast for the contest, whichever is lesser.

As of the third printout, both the House District 43 and Senate District 20 races fall into this category, meaning they are subject to mandatory recounts.

A final printout is expected Friday.

Hussey holds tight lead over Mizuno in Kalihi

Another close contest is unfolding in the Democratic primary for House District 29, where incumbent Ikaika Hussey leads John Mizuno by 33 votes.

Hussey received 1,394 votes (47.5%,) while Mizuno received 1,361 votes (46.4%).

However, this contest does not currently fall within the narrow threshold required to trigger an automatic recount under state law.

The winner will advance to face Republican candidate Tess Abalos, who ran unopposed in the primary election.

House District 29 covers Kamehameha Heights, Kalihi Valley, and part of Kalihi.

Mizuno previously served in the House from 2006 until he stepped down in January 2024 to become Gov. Josh Green’s coordinator on homelessness.

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