In a campaign that will test the heart and loyalty of Hawai'i Democrats, U.S. Rep. Ed Case will challenge U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka in the Democratic primary for the Senate in September.

Case said he respects and admires Akaka but feels the party needs to make the transition to a new generation of leadership. His announcement, which had been rumored in political circles for months, left many Democrats stunned and disappointed, and triggered an immediate scramble within the party for Case's congressional seat.

"I have the deepest aloha for Senator Akaka and truly honor his decades of selfless service," Case said at an afternoon news conference yesterday, with his wife, Audrey, by his side. "But we all know that we are in a time of transition in our Hawai'i's representation in Congress and especially in the Senate. This transition requires that we phase in the next generation to provide continuity in that service."

Case said he called Akaka, U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye and U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie with his decision yesterday.

Akaka was in Washington, D.C., and could not be reached for comment last night. His campaign chairman, Wayne Yamasaki, told reporters, "We welcome challenges because challenges toughen the candidates."

Inouye and Abercrombie both said they would stand behind Akaka, which could isolate Case within the party.

"I intend to continue to give Senator Akaka my support," Inouye said in a statement. "I hope Congressman Case will reconsider his decision to challenge Senator Akaka, and will instead seek re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives. Also, I have been advised that Senator Akaka has the full support of the leadership of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee."

An emotional Abercrombie said Akaka is beloved in the Islands and Washington. He predicted the campaign would be about values like loyalty, humility and compassion. "This will be a test of whether Hawai'i is still Hawai'i," he said.

Political parties usually discourage bloody primary fights because they can strain resources and cause internal divisions that can take years to heal.

Case, who has cast himself as a political moderate, will have to overcome resentment from the party's elders in taking on the grandfatherly Akaka. Case said he hoped in a few weeks, after the initial surprise had worn off, that people would consider whether the time is right for a transition.

Akaka, who comes from the more liberal wing of the party, had not been expecting a primary challenge or an especially difficult re-election campaign. People who spoke with him yesterday said he seemed disappointed but not angry.

Brickwood Galuteria, the chairman of the Democratic Party of Hawai'i, said Democrats have gone through internal struggles before and emerged stronger. "I wish them well and the party remains committed to whoever emerges," he said. "We're obviously pleased with Senator Akaka and all he has done. I guess the congressman felt it was the right time to seek higher office."

Case often differed from the party's establishment and its labor union base when he was in the state Legislature. Behind the scenes, some in the party frowned on his unsuccessful campaign for governor in 2002. Some also were surprised when he aggressively jumped into the special election to fill out the final weeks of U.S. Rep. Patsy Mink's term when she died in 2002 instead of clearing the field for Mink's husband, John.

Case, who easily won both special elections to replace Mink, has shown strength as a statewide campaigner. The congressman has been compared to Republican Gov. Linda Lingle for his appeal among voters who do not always follow party labels. He has held dozens of "talk story" sessions across the Islands over the past few years, which have allowed him to quietly build name recognition and connect with potential voters.

Akaka has not been in a tough campaign since he narrowly defeated Republican Pat Saiki 16 years ago. The senator, who is known as friendly and compassionate, can expect many of the party's faithful to vigorously defend him. According to SurveyUSA, a New Jersey polling firm, Akaka's approval rating was 64 percent in December.

Akaka also apparently has a fundraising advantage over Case. The senator had about $591,000 in cash for his re-election, according to his October quarterly report to the Federal Election Commission. Case had about $174,000 in cash.

"Ed is his own man. He always has been," said Abercrombie, who plans to campaign for Akaka. "Everybody's virtue is their vice."

Case said he would continue to support Akaka's efforts to pass a Native Hawaiian federal recognition bill, known as the Akaka bill. He said he also would work with the delegation on other Hawai'i issues in Congress during the campaign.

He said he realizes it is unpleasant, with Akaka and Inouye both in their 80s, to talk about transition but he wants to give people the chance. "We have to think about how we move on."

Tom Coffman, an author and historian, said he was shocked.

"I don't think it's going to play well," Coffman said. "He's going to have to run as an independent and try to get those independent voters to carry him."

Former Gov. Ben Cayetano also was surprised. "I think Ed is the definite underdog," he said. "But it really depends on the kind of race that he runs."

Within hours of Case's announcement, several Democrats said they were interested in replacing him in the 2nd Congressional District, which covers Central, Leeward and Windward O'ahu, the North Shore and all of the Neighbor Islands. More than three dozen candidates stepped forward after Mink died four years ago, and leaders from both parties expect a crowded field this year.

State Sen. Colleen Hanabusa, who represents the Leeward Coast, and Sen. Gary Hooser of Kaua'i said they would run. Mazie Hirono, the former lieutenant governor, and state Rep. Brian Schatz of Makiki said they would likely run. Honolulu City Councilman Nestor Garcia said he is seriously considering the race.

Mike Gabbard, a former Hono-lulu city councilman who lost to Case in 2004, said he is considering the Republican primary.

Sam Aiona, chairman of the Hawai'i Republican Party, said Case's decision gives the party a chance to break the Democrats' lock on the congressional delegation. A Republican would likely have a better shot at the congressional seat against a Democrat potentially bruised from a tough primary than in taking on Akaka or Case for the Senate.

"I think it's a great opportunity for the state of Hawai'i to have a Republican in Congress," Aiona said.

BLOGGERS WEIGH IN ON CASE ANNOUNCEMENT

Here is what the blogosphere is saying about Hawai'i's U.S. Senate race:

• 2008politicalperspective.blogspot.com/2006/01/more-on-hawaii.html
• www.bloodlesscoup.com/blog/002027.html
• politicalwire.com/archives/2006/01/20/case_challenges_akaka_to_senate_
primary.html
• neal2028.blogspot.com/2006/01/odd-very-odd.html