In a series of news conferences across the Islands yesterday, former state Sen. Matt Matsunaga launched his campaign for what is shaping up to be a highly contested race for the U.S. House of Representatives.

On the steps of the Prince Kuhio Federal Building in Ho-nolulu, Matsunaga declared his candidacy for Hawai'i's 2nd Congressional District seat, a position being vacated by U.S. Rep. Ed Case, who is challenging incumbent Sen. Daniel Akaka.

Matsunaga, 47, also made the announcement in Hilo and Lihu'e yesterday, and plans to meet with supporters and reporters on Maui today.

"This campaign will be a true grassroots campaign," he said at the federal building. "I intend to take our messages to every community in this district."

The 2nd District encompasses areas outside of Honolulu's urban core, including the Neighbor Islands. Matsunaga lives in the 'Ainakoa neighborhood of East Ho-nolulu. It is not in the 2nd District, but there is no residency requirement for candidates.

Matsunaga joins a growing field of candidates.

State Sens. Gary Hooser and Ron Menor and state Rep. Brian Schatz have filed papers to run in the Democratic primary. Former Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono and state Sen. Colleen Hanabusa have said they are running.

Matsunaga, an accountant and lawyer, is the son of former U.S. Sen. Spark Matsunaga. He was born in Palolo and raised in the Washington, D.C., area while his father served in the Senate. His first job was as a page on Capitol Hill.

"I was raised in a family that values public service," he said. "My parents also raised me with local values: treating others with respect, dignity and compassion."

Matsunaga said he intends to focus on supporting working families and small businesses, and hopes to help make healthcare and long-term care more accessible.

He said he wants to help restore ethics and integrity to government.

"I'm tired of reading about Scooter Libby, Jack Abramoff and Tom DeLay," he said.

Matsunaga served in the state Senate for 10 years in the 1990s and was co-chairman of the Judiciary Committee and chairman of the Economic Development Committee. In 2002, he won the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor, but he and gubernatorial candidate Hirono lost to Linda Lingle and Duke Aiona. He ran unsuccessfully for the 2nd Congressional District in 2003.

Matsunaga is a partner in the law firm of Schlack Ito Lockwood Piper & Elkind. He specializes in business law.

He recently married the former Janel Takasaki, a registered nurse and patient-care coordinator at Kaiser Permanente Moanalua. They have three daughters from previous marriages.

Reach Karen Blakeman at kblakeman@honoluluadvertiser.com.