He's either going to light his rocket or burn down his house, but one thing is certain: Ed Case is playing with fire.

He said he called Dan Inouye to tell him yesterday morning of his plans to run for Akaka's seat. Against Akaka.

Tell Inouye? Not ask him?

Isn't it proper protocol to approach the Great Man on your knees, kiss the ring and offer up your most humble request, "May I please run as a Democrat... ," even for a seat in the state House?

Case said someone needs to apprentice at Inouye's feet, and he's just the guy to lead the new guard. Inouye doesn't seem the type to welcome such self-nominations. He was supposed to choose the chosen one himself.

Courageous or cheeky? Independent or impertinent? Ambitious or opportunistic?

The Cases weren't even wearing the approved party uniform of a Sig Zane aloha shirt and Mamo Howell power mu'u. They were both in dark suits. She wore pants. Only one lei. She didn't once give him the "Ramona look."

Not one of the Democratic who's who was there. Case said he had given Brickwood a call that morning to tell him of his intentions.

And poor Neil Abercrombie. The former radical who has played good boy since going to Washington has patiently waited for one of the Dans to pass so that he could have his turn in the Senate. Who would imagine that Case would be the more bold, or reckless, of the two?

Things like this simply aren't done in the Hawai'i Democratic Party.

This puts so many bodies into motion, tosses so many possibilities into the air. Who will run for Case's seat? Oh, to be a fly on the wall for the kitchen table conversation in the Hannemann house. Lingle has to be huddling with her camp figuring how to best use this opportunity. Countless wannabes are weighing their chances.

In a small room on the fifth floor above Kats Sushi, a room with an unfinished door frame, last-minute drywall, unframed Ed-in-action photos taped to the walls, and carpet that doesn't quite reach the walls, Ed Case made the boldest move in Hawai'i politics in a long, long time.

Case either has made a horrible misstep that will end his trajectory, or has put a tangible end to the fading Hawai'i Democratic dynasty, doing more damage to the old boys in one fell swoop than Lingle has done in the last six years, by not asking permission, not waiting his turn, not following the unwritten, unbroken rules.

And underneath all the speculation and conjecture is the one thought: Wow, what if he pulls this off?

Lee Cataluna's column runs Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Reach her at 535-8172 or lcataluna@honoluluadvertiser.com.