[1] The special election determined who would serve the remainder of Inouye's term, which ended on January 3, 2017.

[6] He left a letter encouraging Governor Neil Abercrombie to appoint Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa to succeed Inouye, should he become incapacitated.

[7] Hawaii law allows the governor to appoint an interim senator "who serves until the next regularly-scheduled general election, chosen from a list of three prospective appointees that the prior incumbent's political party submits".

Senator, citing Hanabusa's seniority on the United States House Committee on Armed Services as a chief reason not to appoint her to the position.

Neither of the candidates polled enough votes to meet Hawaii's strict criteria for independents to participate in the general election.