The race to fill Congressman Neil Abercrombie's seat is shaping up to be a heated competition.
Saturday, Senators Inouye and Akaka threw their support towards Colleen Hanabusa.
Hawaii's Senior Senator even criticized Hanabusa's challenger Ed Case.
Senator Inouye questioned Case's integrity and whether he would be a team player if elected.
Case fired back.
Before a packed house, Hawaii's Senior Senator Daniel Inouye came out to support Colleen Hanabusa for Hawaii's soon to be vacated 1st Congressional seat.
But it wasn't only on Hanabusa whom his comments focused. It was on her challenger former Congressman Ed Case and his past political career in Washington, D.C.
"I came right out, said there's a rumor Ed you may run against Akaka, he said to us at that time oh no, I'm running for re-election," said Inouye.
Senator Inouye said he later learned Case was going to run.
"But to come out and say no when all the time intended to do otherwise, not my kind of guy," said Inouye.
"Asked me directly if I would rule out a run for U.S. Senate in 2006 and I said no, I won't," said Congressional candidate Ed Case.
"Of course it's negative campaigning, a statement that again is incorrectly recalled," said Case.
Inouye also took Case to task on the 2004 special election to fill the late Patsy Mink's seat. Senator Inouye believed her husband John should have finished her term.
"Many of us literally begged, please let John close up the chapter, no he ran, John lost," said Inouye.
"My opponents' goal is to make this about anything other than me against her and who can best serve in Congress," said Case.
Senate President Colleen Hanabusa said their support was an honor.
"Their major testament is they believe I can be part of their team," said Hanabusa.
"The next member of House of Representatives will be Colleen Hanabusa," said Inouye.
"This is a group of people that want absolute control over Hawaii politics and I don't believe anyone should control Hawaii politics other than the voters," said Case.
Honolulu City Councilmember and Republican Charles Djou is also running for the seat.
Under state law, the earliest the state could hold a special election would be May 1.
