Kapela to face Goodwin, Last for House District 5

Republican Lohi Goodwin and Libertarian Michael Last will challenge Democratic incumbent state Rep. Jeanné Kapela to represent House District 5.

Each was the lone candidate seeking their respective political party’s nod in Saturday’s primary election, sending the three to face off in the Nov. 8 general election to represent South Kona, Ka‘u and a portion of North Kona.

Kapela garnered 3,292 votes, 0r 73.4% of Democratic Party votes cast for the seat. Goodwin secured 820 votes and Last came in with 20, according to the second report issued by the state Office of Elections at 10:26 p.m. Saturday.

“I am running to continue putting people’s needs before corporate greed and restore the public trust. For too long, Hawaii’s government has been controlled by political donors. We saw this during the pandemic, when working families suffered, while the wealthy got even richer,” said Kapela heading into Saturday’s election. “I am focused on championing policies that will uplift both people and our planet, including paid sick and family leave, truly affordable housing, universal medical and mental healthcare, a fully funded public education system, regenerative agriculture, campaign finance reform, and a clean economy that strengthens our resilience to climate change. Special interests have hijacked our government. I am fighting to reclaim it for the people’s interest.”