The Democrats' primary campaign for governor is under way, with the two major candidates—Neil Abercrombie and Mufi Hannemann—stressing leadership skills and values and not a difference in issues.

Both men addressed the state Democratic Convention at the Hilton Hawaiian Village yesterday.

Abercrombie spoke first, giving a 10-minute up-tempo talk, calling the coming campaign “;a referendum on leadership.”;

“;Government is not the obstacle to progress, but is the bridge to it,”; the former U.S. representative told a cheering crowd that several times interrupted his speech with applause.

Honolulu Mayor Hannemann appeared later, speaking to his supporters in a quiet, reflective speech that lasted nearly 20 minutes.

Hannemann used his appearance to trace his admiration for former state and national Democratic leaders, starting with former Gov. John Burns and running through President Barack Obama.

“;The changes and improvements, many of the benefits that have been passed on, are a result of the Democratic Party,”; Hannemann said.

In interviews after their speeches, the candidates talked about their differences.

Hannemann said his skill is as a collaborative leader.

“;I have a natural ability to bring people to the table,”; Hannemann said.

“;Neil's supporters, let's be clear, are labor. A lot of business people are missing from his support base,”; Hannemann said, adding that he “;can relate to all kinds of people, more so than Neil does.”;

Asked about his own relationship with labor, Abercrombie said he has “;a partnership with business and labor.”;

Abercrombie said Hawaii suffers from a “;crisis in leadership.”;

“;I think leadership is knowing where you have to be before you have to be there. Then you have to figure out how to get people there with you,”; Abercrombie said.

Asked how he differed from Hannemann, Abercrombie said, “;Candor with the public.”;

“;We have both been campaigning for governor for over a year and he has been pretending not to. That speaks to the whole question of typical politics that people disassociate themselves with.”;

Hannemann said he had spent the last year deciding whether he wanted to risk the last two years of his term as mayor to run for governor.

“;It is not about where you serve, it is about how you serve. At this point in time, I have focused on the governorship,”; Hannemann said.

Yesterday, the more than 830 registered Democratic Convention delegates spent most of the day debating the party's platform, including a call for GOP Gov. Linda Lingle to sign the civil-unions bill.

The convention also passed a statement calling for the Legislature to return to session to override Lingle if she vetoes the bill.

That triggered a response from the state Republican Party.

“;Instead of addressing issues of importance to the people of Hawaii, they focused on passing resolutions supporting physician-assisted suicide, gay civil unions, and increasing taxes on people who grow the economy and create jobs,”; said GOP Chairman Jonah Kaauwai.