Democratic state lawmakers from Maui County cruised to comfortable leads in the first round of results, which were released hours later than expected after a rush of last-minute, in-person voting on Maui and across the state.

Democratic state Rep. Justin Woodson, who represents Central Maui’s District 9, held the largest margin with 6,571 votes, or 74.5 percent, to Aloha ‘Aina candidate Kahala Jen Chrupalyk’s 1,250 votes, or 14.2 percent, as of the first printout released at 10:54 p.m. Tuesday. Woodson, who ran unchallenged in the primary, could not be immediately reached for comment.

Democratic Rep. Tina Wildberger in South Maui’s District 11 also had one of the strongest leads with 7,199 votes, or 64.6 percent, to Aloha ‘Aina candidate Howard Greenberg’s 2,451 votes, or 22 percent.

“I appreciate the overwhelming support of the voters of District 11,” Wildberger said. “I will continue the work of making sure South Maui has a voice at the state Legislature. I would like to mahalo Howard Greenberg for offering our community a choice in their representation.”

Wildberger secured a solid victory in the primary over Democratic challenger and former Council Member Don Couch back in August.

Democratic Rep. Lynn DeCoite, who won a close contest over Walter Ritte in the primary, coasted to a much larger lead in Tuesday’s general election with 6,666 votes, or 64.3 percent, to Aloha ‘Aina candidate Theresa Kapaku’s 1,737 votes, or 16.8 percent, and Republican Robin Vanderpool’s 1,323 votes, or 12.8 percent.

DeCoite, who represents Molokai, Lanai and East Maui in District 13, said she was “truly humbled and grateful” to her supporters, to her husband Russell and to her family.

“I look forward to continuing to work with everyone and serving District 13 the best I can with dignity, respect and aloha,” she said. “I want to also send my aloha to my opponents, and wish them well and hope we can work together to make District 13 a better place for all.”

Democratic Rep. Angus McKelvey in West Maui’s District 10 secured 5,470 votes, or 57.5 percent, to Republican Kanamu Balinbin’s 2,852 votes, or 30 percent, and Aloha ‘Aina candidate Travis Gyldstrand’s 517 votes, or 5.4 percent.

“Every vote is special to me, and I’m truly blessed,” McKelvey said. “I just hope the trend continues throughout the night and we can get back to Honolulu and battle like we’ve never battled before, because it’s probably going to be a really tough year and a tough session.”

He said he’s known Balinbin for years and was glad they both had the chance to run and put forward ideas.

“Now that it’s over I’m hoping I can work with him and everybody else, and those that didn’t support me to give me the chance to earn their trust moving forward,” he said.

Democratic Sen. Gil Keith-Agaran, the only one of Maui’s three state senators up for reelection this year, also took a commanding lead at the first printout with 13,054 votes, or 61 percent, to Republican Christy Kajiwara-Gusman’s 6,077 votes, or 28.4 percent, and Aloha ‘Aina candidate Rynette Ipo Keen’s 917 votes, or 4.3 percent.

Keith-Agaran could not be immediately reached for comment late Tuesday night.

The County Clerk’s Office also could not be reached late Tuesday evening as to how many votes remained to be counted; however, with thousands of votes already cast in state and county races, candidates were treating the results as a victory.

Candidates and voters alike waited late into the night for the first round of results after lines piled up at voter service centers in Maui County and across the state.

Wildberger said that Sandy Ma of Common Cause Hawaii, a government watchdog group, “called this in the spring” when she asked for more voter service centers. Honolulu and Hawaii counties each have two, while Kauai has one and Maui County has one each on Maui, Molokai and Lanai.

“Considering COVID, Oahu, particularly, was under-accommodated,” Wildberger said. “Maui had a long line through most of the day at Wailuku’s community center. The overwhelming turnout is truly inspiring. I’d like to know how many folks who were waiting were first time to register/vote.”

McKelvey said that the long wait was “so typical of 2020.”

“This has been the year of the dumpster fire,” he said. “But you know, I think that with all the challenges and everything, I’m proud of the work we’ve been able to do throughout the pandemic for the community.”

Maui’s two other senators – Roz Baker and J. Kalani English – were not up for reelection this year.

Two House races were already decided in the primary because only Democrats were running; Troy Hashimoto was reelected to Central Maui’s District 8, while Kyle Yamashita was reelected to Upcountry’s District 12.

* Colleen Uechi can be reached at cuechi@mauinews.com.