After months of waiting and wondering, Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann made his anticipated next political move official this afternoon.
Hannemann will run in the Democratic primary for governor.
He made the announcement at Fern Elementary School in Kalihi, the same school he attended as a child.
Hannemann must file candidacy papers by July 20, and once he does, by law he must resign his current office.
Hannemann's major democratic rival will be former congressman Neil Abercrombie who said, "the Hawaii State Constitution requres the Mayor to resign from office. Even if he has found a loophole to exploit, he displays continuing willingness to violate the spirit of the Constitution for his own personal advantage. Although I was not required by law to resign, I did so because I didn't feel it was right to campaign for Governor in this critical election year while holding public office and collecting a government paycheck."
Lieutenant Governor James "Duke" Aiona is running on the Republican ballot.
Aiona had some tough words for the two democrats, calling both men tax and spend politicians who are two peas of the same pod.
Aiona urged Hawaii voters to question Hannemann leaving his position as Mayor when the rail transit project is at a critical point.
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The political history between Neil abercrombie and Mufi Hannemann dates back more than two decades.
On Thursday night, that rivalry was renewed as Hannemann announced he's running for governor.
Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann returned to Fern Elementary where he attended grade school to announce he's seeking the state's highest office.
"Let me end the drama, let me officially state that Muliufi Francis "Mufi" Hannemann is going to be entering the race for governor of the state of Hawaii," said Hannemann.
While taking questions from reporters Hannemann blasted former Congressman Neil Abercrombie for handing Hawaii's 1st Congressional District to a republican.
"He took a safe democratic seat and now put it in republican hands. Congressman Djou is not going to be very easy to take out in November," said Hannemann.
Abercrombie shot back saying Hannemann is leaving Honolulu's rail transit project in limbo.
He added Hannemann should resign immediately as mayor and not wait until the candidate filing deadline on July 20.
"I think it's a fair question to ask, if you're running for governor then why aren't you?," asked Abercrombie.
"Are all the decisions he's going to be making now, between now and July, have to do with being mayor or is he gonna have his eye on the governor's race."
Hannemann and Abercrombie faced off before in a democratic primary - 24 years ago in the race for Hawaii's 1st Congressional District.
In September, 1986 Hannemann ran this political ad.
"Abercrombie has admitted publicly that he enjoys marijuana and feels the government should be sure that only a good quality is sold," said Hannemann.
Abercrombie said the ad was completely false but lost the primary.
Today he alluded to Hannemann's previous runs for political office.
"I think you know the negative campaign is a hallmark of the Mayor's approach - it's typical of his campaigns," said Abercrombie.
With 113 days left until the democratic primary for governor - round two of Hannemann versus Abercrombie could be a bruiser.
"Neil has been preparing himself for a career in Congress that should have led to the United States Senate; he's now bailed to come to retire to the governor's job," said Hannemann.
"I see the office as a cornerstone, he sees it as a stepping stone. He said today, 'This will not be my last job, it'll be my best job," said Abercrombie.
