Rep. Case Challenges Hawaii Sen. Akaka

Democratic U.S. Representative Ed Case, right, embraces Democratic U.S. Senator Daniel Akaka are seen after their debate at the PBS Hawaii Studio on the campus of the University of Hawaii, in a Thursday, Aug. 31, 2006 file photo, in Honolulu. The incumbent Akaka will run against Case in the Democratic primary for the Senate on Sept. 23. Case called for Hawaii voters to have the "courage to choose" the next generation of leadership from the islands, while Sen. Daniel Akaka said his experience is needed to continue representing Hawaii in the U.S. Senate. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia, File) (Marco Garcia - AP)

HONOLULU -- Moderate Rep. Ed Case is telling Hawaii voters it's time to force out affable liberal Sen. Daniel Akaka, 82, and end a political career notable for its length more than its achievements.

Both candidates are taking to island streets, adorned in traditional leis, in advance of Saturday's Democratic primary. It's a hard-fought race that almost surely will decide the ultimate winner in this heavily Democratic state.

Akaka and Case, 53, have been hopping from beaches to volcano-side villages as they meet voters at barbecues and "talk story" meetings, Hawaii's version of town hall sessions. Akaka greets nearly everyone he meets with a hug. Case's slick ad campaign use images of Hawaiian surf and a waterfall pool to urge voters to "catch a new wave" and buy into his idea for "pooling" health insurance.

Akaka, who has served in Congress for 30 years, shrugs off Case's insolence. He says Hawaii should keep his seniority in the Senate to preserve the state's power and clout, stemming in part from Akaka's assignments on the Armed Services and Energy and Natural Resources Committees.

Case, a cousin of America Online co-founder Steve Case and a two-term moderate House member, is counting on some Republican crossover votes in the primary. He cites one media ranking that places Akaka in the bottom five among senators, even though another ranking lumps both candidates as among the least powerful politicians in Washington.

Between Akaka and Democratic Sen. Daniel Inouye, who also turned 82 this month, Hawaii's two senators have piled up 60 years in the Senate, 17 in the House. Akaka disputes Case's contention that Inouye has done the heavy lifting.

"My age is not necessarily a bone of contention," Akaka said in a televised debate sponsored by AARP. He jokes that he wouldn't "apologize for the more deliberate speed of my words, because it's not seen as a handicap, but rather a sign of thoughtfulness and care."

Case's surprise challenge has shaken up the multicultural political establishment in Hawaii, with traditional Democrats, including Inouye, rallying around Akaka. Akaka is native Hawaiian; Case is white.

Akaka also has received a boost from nationally recognized party leaders, including Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid and New York Sen. Charles Schumer.

But there's an undercurrent of support for Case based on disillusionment with Akaka's invisibility except during election season and his reliance on the Democratic Party machine.

"There have been no markers of national leadership in a 30-year career," Case said at a rare forum with both candidates.

Recent polls have showed a substantial lead for Akaka, and he holds a more than 2-to-1 advantage in money, having raised more than $2 million to Case's $817,000 early this month.