Galimba, Inaba, Villegas and Evans to represent West Hawaii on County Council

All west-side Hawaii County Council seats were determined in the August primary election.

Three of the four seats were held by candidates who won their races outright after securing at least 50% of the vote during the Aug. 13 election while the fourth seat went unchallenged.

Naalehu cattle rancher Michelle Galimba won a four-way race to the County Council District 6 race in the primary election. She will assume the seat of term-limited Maile David to represent the district that spans from North Kona to Volcano.

The North and South Kohala districts be represented on the nine-member panel by former state Rep. Cindy Evans, who overcame two other candidates to win the County Council District 9 seat without having to go to a runoff. The seat was left vacant by Tim Richards, who was on track to win the state Senate District 4 (North Hawaii) seat as of press-time.

In Kona, incumbent North Kona Councilman Holeka Inaba will return for a second term after defeating his lone contended, Lee-Ann Heely, in the Aug. 13 primary election for the District 8 seat.

Kona Councilwoman Rebecca Villegas was the lone unchallenged council member and was thus elected to a third two-year term representing District 7, which spans from Kealakekua to Kailua-Kona.

In East Hawaii, all but one seat was determined in the primary elecction.

Hamakua (District 1) Councilwoman Heather Kimball and South Hilo (District 3) Councilwoman Sue Lee Loy defeated their challengers in the primary election to retain their seats. Also holding on to their seats during the August primary election were Puna Councilwoman Ashley Kierkiewicz (District 4) and Puna Councilman Matt Kanealii-Kleinfelder.

The lone seat decided during Tuesday’s general election was District 2, held by Hilo Councilman Aaron Chung, who was term-limited. Jenn Kagiwada defeated Matthias Kusch to represent the district.