Democrat Chris Lee held a 2-to-1 lead after the first printout of the results in the race for House District 51.

Republican Quentin Kawananakoa, is trying to make a comeback a decade after serving in the House from 1994 to 1998.

Kawananakoa, 47, is an attorney and ran his campaign on his experiences in business, community service and the state Legislature.

He said he's proven his worth at the Legislature when he stood against a 1998 general excise tax hike and won.

He's worked as a Realtor, in the tourist industry, at a law firm and is small business operator. He said his opponent lacked experience in life and in politics.

Kawananakoa sees himself as an independent voice that is not aligned to the majority Democratic Party in the House.

"You need an independent voice that's not beholden to my former representatives and part and parcel of the entire current establishment," he said.

Lee, 27, who has worked at the state Legislature as an office manager and legislative analyst, is running for the first time on a ticket of change, inspired by President-elect Barak Obama.

Lee said the challenges facing Hawai'i and his Windward community need a fresh start and new direction.

While recognizing the advantages of belonging to the majority party, Lee said he will press for change.

"We need new leaders that are independent and unafraid to stand up to old-boy politics and do more than just tow the party line," Lee said.