Hawaii’s election cycles now offer ample early-voting opportunities — and this state needs as many chances as possible to boost its dismal voter-turnout numbers.

This year it is exceptionally important that voters had those alternatives, with the severe weather causing much more than the usual election-day distraction. For many voters Primary Election Day remains the day of decision.

The Star-Advertiser editorial board weighed in on the key statewide races in recent weeks, as well as Oahu legislative and city races with contested primaries. As more fodder for today’s voters to consider, we’re recapping our choice of candidates in those contested races. (For help on where and how to vote, see election.staradvertiser.com/?s=howto.)

The position with the greatest capacity to change the course of Hawaii is the governor’s office. We believe the incumbent Gov. Neil Abercrombie has grappled with some weighty long-term challenges, including changes in early-education policy, and successfully steered the state through economic turbulence, although much work lies ahead. We favor the current lieutenant governor, Shan Tsutsui, as his running mate.

On the Republican side, the general-election nominees should include gubernatorial candidate Duke Aiona, on the strength of his eight years as Hawaii’s lieutenant governor, paired with Warner "Kimo" Sutton in the LG slot. Aiona already has proposed planks that suit a GOP platform, including a homelessness plan that draws on his experience in the Judiciary.

Advancing unopposed to the Nov. 4 gubernatorial ballot will be former Mayor Mufi Hannemann and his Independent Party running mate, Les Chang.

Hawaii’s election turn-out is notoriously low. Do your part as an engaged citizen to turn that around: Be sure to vote.

Here are the Star-Advertiser’s other endorsements for this primary election:

» U.S. Senate

Brian Schatz, Democrat; Cam Cavasso, Republican.

» U.S. House

Mark Takai, Democrat; Charles Djou, Republican.

» State Senate

12th District (Kakaako, McCully, Waikiki) — Brickwood M. Galuteria, Democrat.

21st District (Kalaeloa, Waianae, Makua) — Maile Shimabukuro, Democrat.

23rd District (Heeia, Laie, Waialua) — Colleen Meyer, Republican.

» State House

23rd District (Manoa, Punahou, Moiliili) — Isaac W. Choy, Democrat.

33rd District (Halawa, Aiea, Newtown) — Tracy Arakaki, Democrat.

36th District (Mililani, Mililani-Mauka, Waipio Acres) — Marilyn B. Lee, Democrat.

38th District (Waipahu) — Henry Aquino, Democrat.

40th District (Ewa Beach, Iroquois Point) — Rose Martinez, Democrat.

41st District (Ewa Beach, West Loch Estates) — Matthew LoPresti, Democrat; Steve Wiggins, Republican.

42nd District (Kapolei, Makakilo) — Sharon Har, Democrat.

43rd District (Kalaeloa, Ko Olina, Maili) — Karen Awana, Democrat.

48th District (Kahaluu, Ahuimanu, Kaneohe) — Robert Harris, Democrat.

50th District (Kailua, Kaneohe) — Cynthia Thielen, Republican.

» City Council (nonpartisan races)

District 2 (Central Oahu, North Shore, Kahaluu) — Ernie Martin.

District 4 (Hawaii Kai, Kaimuki, Waikiki) — Natalie Iwasa.

District 6 (Chinatown, Downtown, Kakaako) — Carol Fukunaga.

District 8 (Aiea, Pearl City, Waipahu) — Russ Grunch.