U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie announced yesterday that he will run for Hawai'i governor next year, saying he was inspired by longtime friend Barack Obama to bring change.

The 10-term congressman made the official announcement on his campaign Web site, a video clip posted on YouTube and on the micro-blogging platform Twitter.

"Aloha everybody! I want you to know I'm running for governor of Hawaii in 2010. Let's bring change to Washington Place!" Abercrombie said in his 21-word "tweet." Washington Place is part of the Hawai'i governor's residential compound.

The 70-year-old Abercrombie said in an open letter on his campaign Web site that as honorary chairman of the Obama campaign in Hawai'i, "I saw how we could run a different kind of campaign that involved and inspired people and ultimately brought change to the nation. Now, we must do the same for Hawai'i."