photo courtesy Kai Kahele on Facebook.

HILO, Hawaii – The Hawaii County Democratic party has chosen three names to fill the 1st district senate seat of the late Gilbert Kahele.

Kahele’s son, Kaiali’i Kahele, joins Dolly Strazar and Kaloa Robinson as the candidates who will go before Governor David Ige. One of them will be chosen as the governor’s nomination to represent Hilo in the state senate.

The three candidates were decided from a list of seven names during a meeting of the Big Island Democratic Party in Keaukaha today (Sunday, Feb 13).

“Truly humbled to be one of the finalists for Senate District One to fill my Dad’s seat,” wrote Kai Kahele on his new Facebook page. “Congratulations to the other finalists and everyone that came out today to support this democratic process. Next stop, interview with the Governor.”

Sen. Gil Kahale died peacefully at Queens Medical Center on Jan. 26, 2016. He was 73 years old.