Despite the historic presidential campaign, voter turnout in Hawai'i fell below the last presidential election in 2004.

The state Office of Elections reported that 63.1 percent of registered voters cast ballots with most of the votes counted last night, compared with 67 percent four years ago.

The lower voter turnout was a surprise given the attention to Hawai'i-born U.S. Sen. Barack Obama's presidential campaign. Democrats and Republicans had predicted that turnout would be higher than in 2004.

Voting was largely trouble-free across the state, said Rex Quidilla, spokesman for the state Office of Elections.

"We know that business was brisk at the various polling places throughout the state," he said. "We did hear of lines, but the lines moved. Voters were able to vote. We don't consider lines a problem."

All of the state's 339 polling stations opened on time — 7 a.m. — and were staffed with enough volunteers for the whole day, he said.

Although some precincts had problems with machines, they were quickly solved or the machines replaced, Quidilla said.

"There was only one case we know of a prolonged interruption of voting," he said. "That was at Waipahu High School. The optical scanner was not operating but we were able to replace it."

The machine stopped working in the morning, but Quidilla did not know for how long.

"Overall, we are very happy," he said.

Despite the lower turnout overall, several polling places reported brisk activity.

In the Kalani High School cafeteria, voters kept coming all day, said polling volunteer Edna Weeks. And the presence of Hawai'i-born presidential candidate Barack Obama was definitely a factor, but not the only one this year, she said.

When she opened her doors, there were 30 people waiting.

"It's not like the primary," she said. "It's presidential. It's mayoral. It's rail. It's the perfect storm. People are not jumping up and down, but they want to vote."

After Stephanie Barksdale cast her presidential vote — for Obama — the former Chicago resident turned 'Aina Haina resident buzzed with the thrill of her part in history.

"It wasn't just because he was black," the 38-year-old real estate agent said. "But I feel maybe he is JFK and wants to make a difference."

Barksdale wasn't very interested in politics when the campaign began, but found herself sucked into the drama of the race. She could hardly wait to vote.

"I know how football fans feel now," she said. "It's been so close and so interesting."

But with so many important issues on the ballot, Bruce Teramoto, 56, of Wai'alae Iki, said he was nervous.

"There's more at stake than in the primary elections," said Teramoto, who voted for Republican John McCain.

Bernard LaPorte, a 77-year-old retired electrical engineer from Wai'alae Iki who voted for McCain, was drawn to the polls primarily by one thing: civic duty.

"Everyone should vote," he said. "If you are eligible, you should register and vote."

At Kapolei High School, nearly 1,300 people had voted by 5 p.m., said precinct chairman Gregory Peterson. It was double the number who voted in the primary. "The voter turnout has been amazing," he said.

Yesterday morning, Waikiki resident Charles Gonzalez wanted to be sure he didn't miss his chance to cast an historic vote. He arrived with his own chair at the Waikiki Community Center at 5:45 a.m. and was first in line when the polls opened.

"I noticed the voting turnout was high on the Mainland, so I thought I'd better get here ahead of the crowd," said Gonzalez, 48.

Mercedes A. Toni Franco, 44, was next in line, coming straight from her night shift to the polls.

"I wanted to make sure I got my 'no' vote in for rail," she said. "Mufi (Hannemann) is a fantastic mayor, but they have no idea of what they're getting into."