Six Democrats have been interviewed by Big Island Democratic leaders in hopes they will be among three finalists to succeed former state Sen. Dwight Takamine.

According to the Hawaii Tribune-Herald, the six were interviewed over four hours Sunday.

They are Kenneth Goodenow, an attorney and former state representative; Donald Ikeda, a Hilo County Council member since 2004; and former state Sen. Lorraine Inouye.

The others are Robert “Bob” Marx, a Hilo trial attorney and Big Island co-chairman of Gov. Neal Abercrombie’s gubernatorial campaign; state Rep. Mark Nakashima of Hawi and Hilo; and former state Sen. Malama Solomon.

Abercrombie will choose a replacement for Takamine, now the state labor director, from the three finalists.