Hawai'i's 2nd Congressional District must choose from a full raft of qualified candidates to fill a vacancy in the U.S. House of Representatives. It's not so different from the selection an employer must make among several worthy job applicants — a difficult but worthwhile decision. Chances are excellent that the candidate voters send to the Capitol will serve capably.

Staying with that job-interview metaphor, The Advertiser has concluded that, amid the field of bright contenders, state Sen. Colleen Hanabusa stands out as having the most solid resume. She seems best suited to representing the district in Washington, D.C.

The credentials that rise to the top of the list include her years representing the Wai'anae Coast in the Legislature, including a powerful role as chairwoman of the Senate Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs Committee. She is a passionate advocate for the interests of her district, a vocal opponent to saddling the community with the city's landfill burden and a vigorous proponent for the development of the Ko Olina Resort.

It's that latter issue that drew concern. Two years ago The Advertiser probed the senator's friendships with principals involved in that project and her push for the passage of tax-credit legislation that would benefit the development of an aquarium at Ko Olina. Then and now, Hanabusa emphasizes that her support of the resort arose from her recognition that the Wai'anae Coast desperately needed a new employment base in the post Sept. 11 era, and that it arose independently of personal relationships. There's been no sweetheart deal for herself or her friends, she added, pointing out that the tax-credit requirements were written stringently so that tax money won't be paid out unless and until the aquarium is built.

Hanabusa may think she's under the looking-glass at home, but she'd better expect the scrutiny to intensify if she's elected to Congress. Encouragingly, she told The Advertiser, she came away from that experience with a critical lesson: Legislation is more a team effort than a solo act, and it's smarter to build the consensus around an issue from the grassroots up. She admitted that she needs to resist the temptation to charge down the court with the ball.

"But that doesn't mean I've lost sight of the fact that we have to win this game," Hanabusa said.

That's the determination a freshman representative needs. And Hawai'i should welcome the idea of a woman in Congress with roots in the district that go back generations.

Across the aisle, Republicans in the 2nd district have a choice as well. Both have legislative experience, but based on his articulation of the issues in meetings with the editorial board and in other forums, Quentin Kawananakoa seems the more capable GOP standard bearer in the Sept. 23 primary election.

Kawananakoa has a better grasp of the issues than his opponent, State Sen. Bob Hogue, and his positions are more substantive. Although his stance on the war in Iraq and on making the administration's tax cuts permanent appear out of touch with the district, his support for ocean thermal energy and other energy alternatives makes sense.

That said, he has a tough road ahead in an staunchly Democratic district.

Several of the other Democrats, in fact, are impressive. In particular, State Rep. Brian Schatz, who courageously surrendered his state House seat to run for Congress, shows great potential as a leader for the next generation.

It's the voters who will make the decision, of course. But after carefully reviewing their positions, meeting with the candidates and tracking the campaign, The Advertiser believes the job offer should go to the senator from Wai'anae, someone with deep roots as well as a track record of service.