First-time candidate Andria Tupola, a music educator and Maili resident, ousted state Rep. Karen Awana, whose career was tarnished by four fines for campaign finance violations.
The Kamehameha Schools and Brigham Young University graduate is one of several newcomers headed to the state House after Tuesday’s election.
Tupola, who teaches at Leeward Community College, organized rallies to "let the people decide" on gay marriage before entering the race for District 43 (Kalaeloa-Ko Olina-Maili). But she said she decided to run long before that.
"For me it was just seeing the government pushed in a direction that I didn’t think would be healthy for my family," said Tupola, 33, who is married and has two daughters ages 6 and 7. "In 20 years I don’t want to wake up and wish I had built a better Hawaii for my kids."
Awana, a former House majority floor leader, had voted against same-sex marriage and said she was surprised to find herself targeted in the election.
"There was a lot of church or Christian support for my opponent, even though I did support their efforts against the same-sex marriage issue," she said.
The third time proved the charm for Sam Kong in his bid for a seat in the state House. He captured two-thirds of the vote against Republican Robert Helsham in the contest to fill the seat formerly held by Rep. Mark Takai, which covers Halawa-Aiea-Newtown.
The 54-year-old cabdriver had run twice unsuccessfully as a Republican, but returned to his family’s Demo-cratic roots for this race for District 33. His low-key campaign paid off.
"I did not accept any donations, nor did I really seek any endorsements," said Kong, who was a florist for many years before selling his Aiea shop. "I wanted not to be beholden to anyone if elected. I wanted to change the face of politics in my own little way."
Helsham, athletic director at Christian Academy, was motivated to run in part by the special session on same-sex marriage.
The lava-threatened District 4 that includes Pahoa and Kala-pana on Hawaii island, where Rep. Faye Hano-hano was ousted in the Demo-cratic primary, also will be sending a new face to the state House. Attorney Joy San-Bue-na-ven-tura had a 2-to-1 lead over Republican Gary Thomas, a retired Air Force colonel who formerly ran Hawaii Youth Challenge on the island.
Another newcomer, Matthew Lo-Presti, who teaches philosophy and chairs the Asian Studies Program at Hawaii Pacific University, prevailed in the race for the 41st District seat (Ewa Beach-West Loch Estates). He had beaten House Majority Floor Leader Rida Caba-nilla in the Demo-cratic primary, and collected a wide range of endorsements, from environmental to labor to business groups.
Republican Bryan Jeremiah and Libertarian Tom Berg, a former City Council member, were far behind in that race.
Two other lawmakers who were trying to make a comeback ended up falling short. Former state Rep. Marilyn Lee faltered in her bid to reclaim District 36 (Mililani-Mili-lani Mauka-Wai-pio Acres) from Republican Beth Fuku-moto Chang. Republican Lauren Cheape Matsumoto handily defeated Michael Maga-oay, a former House representative, in House District 45 (Mililani-Schofield-Kunia).
In the open House District 47 seat on the North Shore, Republican Feki Pouha, who has a personal finance business, pulled ahead of Democrat Kent Fonoi-mo-ana, a Koo-lau-loa Neighborhood Board member, after trailing in early returns.
Pouha, 30, said he was running to "restore faith in government, protect family interests and secure a brighter future." He was endorsed by Hawaii Family Advocates, Build-PAC Hawaii and the General Contractors Association of Hawaii.
Fonoimoana, 56, had hoped to make Hawaii more independent in food and energy production. He was backed by the Hawaii Government Employees Association, the Hawaii State Teachers Association, the Sierra Club Hawaii chapter and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union.
On the Windward side, attorney Jarrett Keoho-ka-lole claimed the House District 48 seat formerly held by Jessica Wooley, which covers Kaha-luu-Ahui-manu-Kane-ohe. He had 55 percent of the vote, followed by Republican Eldean Kuka-hiko, a retired police officer and senior pastor at Hope Chapel Kaha-luu, with about 37 percent. Other candidates in the race, Libertarian Kai-manu Taka-yama and nonpartisan candidate Kana Naipo, trailed far behind.
In District 51, Rep. Chris Lee, who represents Kailua-Lanikai-Waimanalo, easily fended off a challenge from Republican Wayne Hikida of Kailua. Lee had been outspoken in his support of marriage equality. Hikida, 65, is a former vice president of Island Insurance Co. and former Mormon bishop.
"I was running because I thought there was a need for change in direction in our state," Hikida said on Election Day. "The great thing about our country is the people get to speak in these elections. Whatever the people say is fine with me. That’s what our democracy is all about."
REP. TOM Brower, who had caused an outcry when he took a sledgehammer to the shopping carts of homeless people, held onto his seat in District 22 (Waikiki-Ala Moana-Kakaako) despite a strong challenge from Republican Janet Grace.
Grace, a health and home care worker and neighborhood board member, had won the endorsement of the National Association of Social Workers and the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers.
The Kong-Helsham contest stood out for its civility. On Election Day, Kong was at Pali Momi Medical Center, recuperating after surgery on Friday to treat an intestinal infection.
Helsham, a worship minister at First Assembly of God Church in Red Hill, had visited Kong in the hospital to offer comfort and play the guitar for him.
"He’s such a nice gentleman," said Kong, who expected to be released shortly.
"Our race is definitely not the norm," Helsham said. "I truly believe this should be the norm, where two people step forward and offer the community a direction but at the same time do not sink to the level where you get your victory by disparaging another person."
