It is shaping up to be one of those classic clashes: Godzilla versus Mechagodzilla. Mothra versus Godzilla. Abercrombie versus Hannemann.

Mufi Hannemann hasn't even officially declared his candidacy for governor and Neil Abercrombie is already firing off an attack press release.

"The mayor owes it to the people of Honolulu to be crystal clear about his intentions," Abercrombie said in Monday's statement.

Hannemann hasn't exactly kept his intention to run for governor a secret, though he has been a bit coy about coming out with it so early. Still, everybody in town has been talking about Hannemann running for governor like it's a foregone conclusion.

Here's the thing: if Hannemann doesn't run for governor, Abercrombie becomes the undisputed Democratic candidate. Hannemann, as mayor of Honolulu, would probably rather deal with arch-nemesis Linda Lingle as governor than arch-arch-arch nemesis Abercrombie. At least with Lingle he doesn't have to fake nice at the party unity breakfast. It's hard to imagine Hannemann staying put at Honolulu Hale while Abercrombie leaps over him to Washington Place.

This grudge match has been in the works since the 1986 congressional race where Hannemann and Abercrombie eventually knocked each other out and thus let Republican Pat Saiki go to Washington. Imagine how bad it's going to get in the weeks before the Democratic primary next year. Those two are both so headstrong, emotive and quick to take offense, they make Republican gubernatorial candidate Duke Aiona look cool and contempletive in comparison.

Like those Godzilla movies, it's fun to watch the big guys stomp and roar at each other, but after a while, the town gets wrecked. And how can you really pick one to root for when they're both monstering around, flattening buildings and derailing trains?

Clearly both guys are scrappers, but particularly when fighting on their own behalf and for their own benefit. What Hawai'i desperately needs in the next governor is a person who will put service before self and action before image.

We need a nouveau George Ariyoshi. Somebody who wants to do the job, not just have the job. "Quiet but effective" might not get you Yahoo news headlines and various other current measures of status, but it could be just what this state needs.