HILO — The appointment of a successor to the late state Sen. Gil Kahele could result in a game of political musical chairs, depending on who makes it through the Democratic Party’s nomination process in two weeks.
Party officials are expecting a crowded field of candidates for the traditionally safe seat, covering the greater Hilo area, and some elected officials already are being asked to put their names in for consideration.
Rep. Clift Tsuji, a Hilo Democrat who chairs the House’s Agriculture Committee, said he is among the sitting lawmakers being contacted.
“I’m not at the point where I would use the term interested,” said Tsuji, a close friend of Kahele. “I should give it due consideration only because of the numerous calls I have been receiving.”
While a sitting lawmaker could argue they have the experience to make a smooth transition, their appointment also would leave another seat vacant, prompting one more nomination process.
The vacancy was officially announced Thursday, starting the 21-day clock for the Hawaii County Democratic Party to select three nominees to replace Kahele, a much-liked and respected senator who died early Tuesday at age 73. Gov. David Ige will make the actual appointment to the District 1 seat.
The party plans to pick the nominees Feb. 13 after precinct officials in the district interview applicants that day at Keaukaha Elementary School. The meeting will be open to the public.
John Ervin, the party’s East Hawaii vice chair, said the appointee will have some “big shoes to fill.”
“Gil, it was such a loss,” he said, adding, the party officers organizing the nomination process “haven’t had time to mourn.”
The appointee would likely have an advantage going into the primary and general elections later this year, when the district’s voters get to decide who fills the rest of Kahele’s term, which ends in 2018.
Kahele, who joined the Senate also by filling a vacancy in 2011 for what was then District 2, replaced former Sen. Russell Kokubun, who was appointed to fill a vacancy in 2000. Both went on to win subsequent elections.
District 2 covered portions of South Hilo, Puna and Ka‘u. Due to redistricting, Kahele was elected to District 1 in 2014.
Ervin estimated as many as 30 people could apply. Applicants must be party members in good standing and district residents.
“People are coming out of the woodwork putting in names as being interested,” he said. “How many actually apply, we don’t know.”
Dennis Onishi, a Hawaii County Council member who is term-limited, said Thursday he was planning to apply for the appointment.
“I would want to apply when they open it up,” he said.
“The only thing is, if Kai Kahele looks at applying, too, I would defer to him first,” Onishi added, referring to the late senator’s son.
If appointed by Ige, Onishi would join his brother, Richard Onishi, who represents House District 3, in the Legislature.
But that would also leave the council with an empty seat to fill.
Kai Kahele couldn’t be reached for comment Friday.
A celebration for life for his father will be held at 5 p.m. Feb. 8 at the Hilo Civic Auditorium. The family plans a private burial at sea at Kapua Bay near Milolii, where Kahele was born.
The Senate chamber was open Thursday for members of the public to pay their respects to Kahele.
State lawmakers will pay a final tribute to Kahele on Tuesday as a motorcade passes the state Capitol on its way to Hickam Air Force Base, where he will be flown to Hilo for services.
Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald.com.