Democrat Colleen Hanabusa raised $459,000 and spent $349,000 of it in the first three months of 2010—well ahead of her top two opponents in both categories in the race for the 1st Congressional District.

According to spending reports filed with the Federal Election Commission, Hanabusa still has $329,000 on hand in her challenge against fellow Democrat Ed Case and Republican Charles Djou.

“;We're feeling very good about the fundraising,”; Hanabusa said. “;It's not only the money that we're being very successful at; it's also the number of volunteers and people who are working our campaign.”;

The race has a little more than five weeks left. Ballots for the special mail-in election go out at the end of this month, with results to be determined May 22.

As of March 31, Djou has the most cash on hand, with $492,000. He raised $298,000 in the three-month period to start the year and spent $132,000.

Case raised and spent the least in the quarter, with receipts of $157,000 and expenditures of $102,000. He has $214,000 left on hand but also owes $45,000 in debt, compared with none for the other two.

“;We never expected to match our opponents in fundraising,”; Case said in an e-mail message. “;We don't have the backing of the machine or special interests expecting control and payback, or national Republicans focused only on advancing their mainland and presidential ambitions.”;

Hanabusa is supported by top party fundraisers in U.S. Sens. Daniel Inouye and Daniel Akaka.

“;Of course, it's very helpful because there are many people who also believe in them,”; she said. “;No question it's an endorsement we're very humbled by and honored to have.”;

Hanabusa traditionally has received strong support from unions and also received a $2,000 donation from the Asian-American Action Fund, which made news earlier this month when it warned the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee about potentially backing Case.

Djou has been helped by two high-profile donations from 2012 presidential hopefuls Mitt Romney of Massachusetts and Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota. He also has received donations from the political action committees of top congressional Republicans, including U.S. Reps. Eric Cantor of Virginia and Jo Bonner of Alabama, the National Republican Congressional Committee and defense contractor Halliburton.

Djou campaign manager Dylan Nonaka noted that of the campaign's more than 2,000 donors, 83 percent are from Hawaii.