Hannemann had more cash left in the bank when the reporting period ended in June: $628,653 versus Bainum's $379,152.

But Bainum held a major fund-raiser last week that could tip the scale again when the money is listed in a future report.

And with seven weeks left before the Sept. 18 primary election, each candidate has time to raise and spent a lot more money. If neither wins more than 50 percent of the vote, they will face a Nov. 2 runoff.

Duke Bainum

Bainum said he's proud that his campaign has collected many small donations from lots of people, and that it shows he's a grassroots candidate.

"It's touching and it makes you realize that people are really counting on you to break the system of illegal campaign donations and city contracts," he said. "People are beginning to see that there really is a chance for honest change, and that they want to support that effort."

No direct link between campaign money and contracts has been proven in court, but Bainum says he believes there is a link.

He said the money he's lent his campaign helped jump-start it when his name wasn't highly recognized, and that it shows he is committed to the campaign and not beholden to special interests.

Hannemann cast himself as the grass-roots bet, and said Bainum's loans show he's trying to buy the election.

"We're up against a money machine," Hannemann said. "I believe he's going to spend a record amount, from the personal side, more than anyone who's ever sought this seat in the history of Hawai'i."

Hannemann said his campaign has held off on some spending because it expects to have to counter a last-minute blast of advertising paid for by Bainum.

"We're just going to run a much smarter campaign," Hannemann said. "We're going to be selective in how we advertise."

Hannemann reported raising $271,141 during the year's first six months, and has raised a total of $1,269,765 for the race since November 2000.

Bainum reported raising $216,204 in the six-month period, bringing his total to $2,010,224, including $1,053,863 in loans since 2000.

Former Mayor Frank Fasi, who is also running, reported loaning himself $2,469, but collecting no campaign contributions.

In other races

In the race for Honolulu prosecutor, incumbent Peter Carlisle reported raising $35,936, and having $36,079 on hand. Challenger and former prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro reported no contributions, but had $22,292 left over from a previous campaign.

Carlisle is running for a third, consecutive four-year term against Kaneshiro, the man he replaced. Kaneshiro also served two terms.

The candidate account seeing the most activity isn't even involved in a campaign this year — the Linda Lingle Campaign Committee. A series of fund-raisers helped the campaign bring in $818,397 during the last six months. The Lingle campaign spent a record $5.4 million in the 2002 gubernatorial election. In its January 2003 filing, the campaign reported a debt of $170,000.

The committee also reported $244,508 in expenditures during the period, leaving a cash balance of $1,028,270.

Advertiser Staff Writer Gordon Pang contributed to this report.