State Rep. Richard Onishi won a third term Tuesday after decisively beating his two challengers in the House District 3 race. ADVERTISING State Rep. Richard Onishi won a third term Tuesday after decisively beating his two challengers in the House
State Rep. Richard Onishi won a third term Tuesday after decisively beating his two challengers in the House District 3 race.
Onishi, a Democrat, received 6,063 votes, or 74.4 percent, with all precincts reporting.
“For me, I feel very appreciative they (voters) recognized some of the work I’ve done, ” said Onishi, 62.
Kealoha Pisciotta, a Green Party candidate, came in second with 1,292 votes, or 15.8 percent.
Libertarian Gregory Arianoff received 794 votes, or nearly 10 percent.
The district includes parts of Hilo, Keaau, Kurtistown and Volcano.
Onishi is vice chair of the House Agriculture Committee, and said he will continue to focus on farming issues as well as education.
“Trying to help the schools and help improve the schools, especially facilities wise,” will be a priority, he said.
“We do have a bunch of schools in the district that need improvement.”
Onishi said he hopes to receive a committee chairmanship during the next legislative session.
Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
