"We'll chip away in several different races. We're looking forward to giving the people of Hawaii some great choices this year," said Willes Lee, Chairman of the Republican Party of Hawaii.

The Republicans best chance to pick up seats is in the House of Representatives.

"They look very good over in the 51st district for example, the Waimanalo (Lanikai, Keolu) area on Oahu," said KGMB9 Political Analyst Dan Boylan. "Quentin Kawananakoa, who is a very wealthy man, is running there against some younger Democrats. I think he's got a good chance of picking up that seat."

Boylan gives Republican Kawananakoa the edge against whichever democrat that emerges from the primary, either Chris Lee, Ikaika Anderson, or Shawn Christensen.

Boylan also thinks Republican Anne Stevens has a shot at ousting Democrat Tom Brower in House District 23 (Waikiki).

"They may pick up one seat beyond that, but they've (Republicans) left so many seats uncontested," Boylan added.

It will be difficult for the Republicans to gain ground in the State Senate.

Republican Paul Whalen is not seeking re-election in Senate District 3 on the Big Island and no other Republican entered the race. So either Democrat Josh Green or Democrat Virginia Isbell will be elected.

The GOP may be able to make-up for the loss of Whalen's seat if Republican Ted Hong can defeat Democrat Dwight Takamine in Senate District 1 on the Big Island.

"Dwight has been a long time community organizer and legislator for about 20 years," said Hawaii Democratic Chairman Brian Schatz. "He's got deep roots in the community. Ted Hong has raised lots of money already and is coming after Dwight pretty hard, so that's going to be a race that we intend to vigorously compete in."

Boylan said Republicans may do well to maintain the four seats they have in the 25-seat Senate and pick up a couple seats in the House, but that is probably all the ground they will gain on the Democrats.

"The Republican brand this year is just not good. Senator (John) McCain seems to have righted himself and taken the lead nationally in the presidential race, but in most of the other races around the country, it's not a good brand and that's tough on Republicans locally as well," Boylan said.

Schatz says he will be happy if the Democrats can just maintain the strength they already have in the legislature. For them, it is all about having enough votes to override vetos by Republican Gov. Linda Lingle, and there is no doubt the Democrats will still have the numbers they need to do that.

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