Last night's election also determines who will fill the seats at the Honolulu City Council.
By January, there will be a total of five new faces in the council chamber.
Among the fresh faces voted into office is Stanley Chang. The Honolulu attorney will fill the seat vacated by Charles Djou in District 4, which covers Waikiki and East Honolulu. At 28 years old, he enters the political scene without any previous experience.
"I think that this is the best time at least in my lifetime to help bring in fresh ideas and really help move our community forward," said Chang.
Chang says priority should go to fixing roads, sewers, and water mains. But doing so with a master plan that can cut the cost.
"That would coordinate all of their maintenance so that we're not repaving a road one year and then ripping it up again to do sewer maintenance, then ripping it up again to do water main maintenance. That way, I think we'll get better quality infrastructure at a lower price," said Chang.
Another new face in the city council but not so much in politics is Tulsi Gabbard Tamayo. She'll be replacing Rod Tam in District 6, which covers Downtown Honolulu and Kalihi Valley. Tamayo was a former state legislator who left that position when she deployed to the Middle East as a Hawaii National Guard. The 29-year-old says her military and legislative experiences will definitely help.
"I think gives me the opportunity to look at issues whatever they may be, issues come and go but look at these issues as they come and go, be able to examine what are the different elements and finding real solutions," said Tamayo.
She'll set her priorities on improving the local economy.
"Working to streamline the permitting process so the small businesses, the driving force in our economy can really have that boost to become more successful," said Tamayo.
Another incoming member is Ernie Martin, who beat out opponent John White by a mere 48 votes. Martin will replace Donovan de la Cruz at District 2. Former Board of Education member Breene Harimoto won his seat in the Primary Election when he ran unopposed for the District 8 seat. And a fifth new council member will be added after Todd Apo resigns.
