No primary election has been as island-shaking at as many levels as Saturday’s choices to be made by Hawaii voters. On July 22-29, the Star-Advertiser ran our endorsements for the major primary races (see www.staradvertiser.com/archives); they are recapped here for voters still struggling on their picks.

At the federal level, the retirement of Democratic U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka after 22 years in this seat has opened the door to his office, while controversy over a rail project in Honolulu overshadows any other issue in a three-way race for mayor and a handful of City Council seats.

CONGRESS

Federal legislators rarely walk away from Capitol Hill, but Akaka, 87, is doing so after 35 years total in the House and Senate. U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono and her House predecessor, Ed Case, face each other and three others in their Democratic campaigns for Akaka’s Senate seat. The winner is expected to battle former Republican Gov. Linda Lingle in the general.

While Case is socially liberal and fiscally moderate, our preference is Hirono, whose liberal record reflects Hawaii’s Democratic base and whose incumbency better positions her to champion our state’s interests.

Hirono’s vacancy of her U.S. House seat has resulted in a fierce Democratic race between former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann and City Councilwoman Tulsi Gabbard, somewhat of a battle between generations to represent the 2nd Congressional District (outer Oahu and the neighbor islands). Four others also are contenders.

Hannemann, 58, sought a U.S. House seat twice before being elected to Honolulu’s City Council and, in 2005, mayor. He brings a wealth of public service, as well as private business know-how, to the table, as well as experience working on The Hill under both Republican and Democratic administrations. Gabbard, 31, is a bright star in the Democratic Party but lacks the broad knowledge and depth of Hannemann, whom we endorse. The winner will be heavily favored over the Republican candidate, either Kawika Crowley or Matthew DiGeronimo.

HONOLULU MAYOR

Most emotional on the ballot is the Honolulu mayor’s race, with Mayor Peter Carlisle and former acting Mayor Kirk Caldwell promising rightly to remain dedicated to Oahu’s rail transit. They are challenged by former Gov. Ben Cayetano, running the single-issue candidacy with the vow to try killing the project, although he has no workable alternative to ease traffic. The winner must gather more than half the votes, either in Saturday’s election or in a November runoff between the top two finishers.

Both Caldwell and Carlisle have been intelligent government officials: Carlisle previously was Honolulu city prosecutor, and Caldwell was a state legislator and city managing director under Hannemann’s mayoralty. That experience earns Caldwell our support because of his deeper knowledge of the workings of the city, which would make him more effective as mayor in a wide range of issues.

CITY COUNCIL

Likewise, the paramount issue in the primary election’s four nonpartisan seats for Honolulu City Council is the rail project (a fifth Council seat is open, but with just two candidates, that vote will come in the general election). Our choices, all of whom support rail transit and are articulate on specific district concerns, are: Alex Santiago in District 1 (Leeward Coast, Kapolei, Makakilo, portion of Ewa Beach); Ikaika Anderson in District 3 (Waimanalo, Kailua, Kaneohe); Martin Han in District 7 (Kalihi, Sand Island, Salt Lake, Hickam Air Force Base, Ford Island); and Ron Menor in District 9 (Mililani, Kunia, portion of Ewa Beach).

LEGISLATURE

With redistricting opening up all 76 seats in the state Legislature, much is at stake for constituents’ representation as well as for leadership coalitions in both chambers. In the contested primary races, our endorsements are:

STATE SENATE

» District 11 (Makiki-Tantalus-Manoa): D, Brian Taniguchi.

» District 17 (Waipahu -Pearl City): D, Clarence Nishihara.

» District 18 (Mililani-Waihele-Kunia): D, Michelle Kidani.

» District 19 (Ewa Beach-Iroquois Point): D, Will Espero.

» District 25 (Hawaii Kai-Waimanalo-Kailua: D, Laura Thielen.

STATE HOUSE

» District 19 (Diamond Head-Kaimuki-Kapahulu): D, Bert Kobayashi.

» District 20 (Palolo-St. Louis Heights-Kaimuki): D, Calvin Say.

» District 21 (McCully-Moiliili-Kapahulu): D, Scott Nishimoto.

» District 24 (Moiliili-Makiki-Tantulus): D, Della Au Belatti.

» District 26 (Downtown-Liliha-Kakaako): D, Scott Saiki.

» District 27 (Nuuanu-Liliha-Alewa Heights: R, Corinne Ching.

» District 29 (Chinatown-Iwilei-Kalihi): D, Karl Rhoads.

» District 30 (Sand Island-Kalihi-Airport): D, Nicole Velasco.

» District 31 (Fort Shafter-Moanalua Gardens-Aliamanu): D, Danny Villaruz.

» District 33 (Halawa-Aiea-Newtown): D, K. Mark Takai.

» District 34 (Pearl City-Waimalu-Pacific Palisades): D, Gregg Takayama.

» District 36 (Mililani-Mililani Mauka-Waipio Acres): R, Beth Fukumoto.

» District 40 (Ewa Beach-Iroquois Point): D, Chris Manabat.

» District 41 (Ewa Beach-Ewa): D, Matt LoPresti.

» District 43 (Kalaeloa-Ko Olina-Maili): D, Karen Awana; R, Tercia Ku.

» District 44 (Waianae-Makaha-Makua): D, Georgette "Jo" Jordan.

» District 45 (Mililani-Schofield-Kunia): D, Ollie Lunasco.

» District 47 (Waialua-Kahuku-Waiahole): R, Gil Riviere.

» District 48 (Kahaluu-Ahuimanu-Kaneohe); D, Pono Chong.