Quentin Kawananakoa today announced he will run for the state House seat representing the 51st District (Lanikai, Waimanalo).

Kawananakoa, a Republican, said his campaign will focus on supporting the local agricultural industry, improving education, protecting the environment and promoting alternative energy.

"We need change at our Legislature, and change is not going to come from the current leadership," he said. "I will be a voice for change, not opposition. I hope to work with all the legislators to effectuate the change our people and Hawai'i deserve."

Kawananakoa is an attorney and currently serves on the Honolulu Fire Commission.

He served in the state House from 1994 to 1998, representing the Punchbowl-Pauoa area. He ran for Congress in 1998 and was favored to win the Republican nomination but abandoned the race less than a month before the primary election, citing hypertension and other health problems.

He launched a campaign for Congress again in 2006, losing the Republican primary to Bob Hogue by 89 votes.