As a campus radical at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa, a dissident at the state Legislature and a progressive in Congress, Neil Abercrombie has often been among those who have challenged power and questioned authority.

Abercrombie long ago made the practical choices necessary to work within the establishment — to put on the blazer and tie — but he still sees himself as an agent of change. As he runs for governor in 2010, Democrats will have to determine whether he can make the transition to chief executive.

Abercrombie, who knew President Obama's parents as students at UH and was among the first to urge him to run for president, said he wants to bring Obama's message of hope and change to the Islands.

"I'm reaching out to all the Obama voters throughout all the Islands, and I'm saying 'We can bring change to Hawai'i,' " Abercrombie said yesterday at a news conference at his campaign headquarters at Ward Warehouse. "We need to do it. We need to be able to believe again that we can participate in politics with a true spirit."

The congressman, at stops in Honolulu and on Maui and Kaua'i yesterday and the Big Island today, is branding his campaign with the theme of change. In a bow to the emerging political power of the Internet and social media, he released a video announcement on his campaign Web site and sent messages to supporters via Twitter.

Abercrombie said his campaign would focus on issues such as economic recovery, energy independence and expanded quality education. He said he would use his two decades of experience in Congress as leverage to help Hawai'i in Washington, D.C. He also said he would end what he described as the stalemate and rivalries between a Republican-controlled Washington Place and the state Legislature and county governments.

In a dig at his potential rivals for governor, Abercrombie said he would not use the governor's office as a stepping stone. Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann, former Congressman Ed Case, and state Senate President Colleen Hanabusa, D-21st (Nanakuli, Makaha), are thinking about running for governor but have also shown interest in Washington.

"Now I want everybody to know this is not a stepping stone for me," said Abercrombie, 70. "I intend to complete a governor's term if given the opportunity. I can tell you this is going to be a cornerstone, a cornerstone for Hawai'i's future."

Republicans ask how any Hawai'i Democrat can legitimately campaign on the theme of change when Democrats have dominated the Islands since statehood. Gov. Linda Lingle was the first Republican governor in four decades when she was elected in 2002. Republicans believe Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona, who is running for governor in 2010, can more credibly argue that he represents a break from near one-party rule.

"It's not considered change when you've been a Washington insider for almost two decades," Adam Deguire, the executive director of the state GOP, said of Abercrombie. "His idea of change is tax-and-spend policies that I don't think we can afford right now in this current economic environment."

Aiona, in a statement, said, "I appreciate the Congressman's service, but he has been in Washington, D.C. a long time. The people of Hawai'i want more than insider politics and policies that cater to special interests. They want a transparent, accountable and fiscally prudent government that helps Hawai'i's working families — not burdens them with higher taxes and more debt."

Asked about his lack of executive experience, Abercrombie made reference to former President George W. Bush and Lingle: "How's executive experience been working for this country and for the state recently?"

Abercrombie said the challenge for the new governor would be to work with state and county leaders in a collaborative way, as partners. "Right now, there is a sense of stalemate and confrontation. I think it's one of the reasons that so many people are enthusiastic about this candidacy," he said.

People who have known Abercrombie throughout his political career believe the transformation to chief executive is possible.

Charles Toguchi, a consultant who served with Abercrombie in the state Senate, said Obama is an example of a politician who won the highest office without executive experience.

"I think the people are looking for someone with vision that will bring about change," he said. "I don't think they are looking for someone who has been in a bureaucracy for a long time. I think Neil is going to be a great change for Hawai'i."

Amy Agbayani, director of the UH Office of Student Equity, Excellence and Diversity, has known Abercrombie since he was a UH graduate student protesting the Vietnam War.

"He started off in street politics, then he became an insider. He has, in a sense, become establishment for some people," she said. "So he can make the change, I believe. Some people have criticized him from going from flowing robes and Superman cape to three-piece suits."

Agbayani said what has been constant about Abercrombie is his love for Hawai'i. "He wants to do the right thing," she said. "And, throughout the years, he's learned to listen. Before, he may not have, but he has had to learn to listen. Otherwise, he wouldn't be so effective."

Dan Boylan, a UH-West O'ahu history professor, was a graduate student with Abercrombie.

"It's hard for me, at first blush, to see it," Boylan said of the congressman's transition to chief executive. "On the other hand, I would point out — in his defense — he's going to make an argument about him understanding and recognizing the need for somebody like Obama.

"And he's also going to make the argument about the transition he made from being a radical in many people's eyes to being an establishment legislator," Boylan said. "A lot of people didn't think he could ever make it. He represents the 1st Congressional District, the more conservative district. He went up there and joined the House Armed Services Committee, and he's very adept at it.

"Can Neil be a governor? Neil has an awfully big heart. He's a lot of heart. He's a lot of emotion. He's a great public speaker. Can he be a good administrator? That's a question that's going to be asked throughout the campaign."