HONOLULU — Despite a challenging first term marked by both natural and human-caused disasters, Governor David Ige of Hawaii won the Democratic primary in his bid for a second term in office Saturday, defeating US Representative Colleen Hanabusa.

Ige’s administration fumbled through a false missile alert that sent the state into a panic in January, a major embarrassment for his administration.

But the governor’s handling of Kilauea volcano’s latest eruption ­— which destroyed more than 700 homes, displaced thousands, and caused devastating flooding on Kauai — got him back on track and he came out ahead of Hanabusa.

‘‘It’s been a grueling campaign,’’ Ige said. ‘‘It’s truly a heart-warming finish to a very, very challenging and exciting time.’’

Ige said he expects to win the general election in November, but he’s not going to take his challenger for granted.

‘‘I will not take anything for granted; we are going to gear up for another tough campaign, but we do believe that we have a vision and that the people have spoken,’’ Ige said.

The governor said Hanabusa called him and pledged her support, and that he looks forward to working with her and her supporters over the next several months.

‘‘The most important thing about the election is the fact that we gave people choices, and the people have spoken,’’ said Hanabusa during her concession speech. ‘‘It was about giving people the choice.’’

Hanabusa, who gave up her seat in Congress to challenge Ige, thanked the people that worked on her campaign. ‘‘You’ve given me everything,’’ she said.

Associated Press