The anxiety was too much for the Civil Beat newsroom to handle. 

Less than an hour away from Gov. Neil Abercrombie announcing his pick to fill the late-Sen. Dan Inouye‘s seat, we consulted the Magic 8 Ball for answers to soothe our wondering minds.

But before we get to the questions and surprising answers, a brief history on M8B. 

In November, just a day before election night, the Civil Beat crew was similarly suffering from serious anxiety. We broke down and asked M8B who would win the key races that voters would decide for the future of Honolulu, Hawaii and the United States.

M8B was flawless in its responses, even correctly picking the tight races with its calm certainty. Check out those results here.

And so we find ourselves again asking M8B to give us a glimpse into the future with its bubbly blue triangular prophecies. Here’s what Magic 8 Ball had to say:

CB: Is Abercrombie going to shock the state with his decision today? 

M8B: Without a doubt.

CB: Will Abercrombie choose Hanabusa as senator?

M8B: Concentrate and ask again.

CB (concentrating hard): Will Abercrombie choose Hanabusa as senator?

M8B: Outlook is good.

CB: Will Abercrombie choose Kiaaina as senator?

M8B: It is certain.

CB: Will Abercrombie choose Schatz as senator?

M8B: Concentrate and ask again.

CB (concentrating hard): Will Abercrombie choose Schatz as senator?

M8B: Outlook not so good.

And so the Magic 8 Ball has clearly spoken. The governor will pick Esther Kiaaina at 2 p.m. today over Brian Schatz and Colleen Hanabusa. Stay tuned to Civil Beat for the full story.

— Nathan Eagle