And the gloves are off.

After many months of political coyness about his intentions, Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann has finally announced his candidacy for governor, officially joining former U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie and Lt. Gov. James “;Duke”; Aiona. More clarity is needed on crucial issues—such as education reform, rail transit, land use and economic innovation—and voters will have little patience for business as usual. Indeed, Hawaii can ill afford it.

A slow economic recovery has seized up government services—and though next year's school furlough days were mercifully restored, twice-monthly furlough days for city workers will begin in July, joining cutbacks that continue for state workers.

A better-than-feared forecast for general fund tax revenues came last week, but it'll be up to the new governor to guide Hawaii back from the brink with job creation and prudent spending. Looming large are money crises for subsidized health services like QUEST, as well as for the Employee-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund, the health insurance fund for government employees and retirees now insolvent and losing more than $1 million monthly.

Already this political season has been rife with anti-establishment ire—originally emanating from “;tea party”; anger—which partially helped Charles Djou win Hawaii's 1st Congressional District seat temporarily, the first Republican to do so in 20 years.

The Sept. 18 primary election will pit two seasoned, capable Democratic politicians against one another. Since resigning his congressional seat, Abercrombie has unveiled an education platform to decentralize the statewide schools system and shift more authority to the campus level; Republican Aiona has released similar positions. Hannemann, who will resign his last two years as mayor to run for governor, has yet to articulate specifics on education or other major statewide issues—though he did speak on the “;sanctity”; of heterosexual marriage in a big legislative rally against the civil unions bill.

Former Republican legislator John Carroll also is running.

Aiona has begun staking out the anti-big government position that's proven so effective in mainland upset elections, saying that Hawaii “;can't afford”; Hannemann, based on the mayor's record “;of raising taxes and increasing the cost of living for our residents on Oahu.”; Hannemann retorted that the state cannot afford four more years of the status quo from the Republicans.

First, though, comes the Democratic primary—and it promises to be fiery. Abercrombie and Hannemann are both savvy politicians, well-connected, union favorites and sharp-tongued debaters. Their rivalry goes back to 1986, when Abercrombie won the special election to replace Cec Heftel in Congress, but lost the Democratic primary to Hannemann, who then lost to Republican Pat Saiki in the general. It was a bitter Democratic contest that turned votes for the Republican—a fate that could repeat.

Fiscally fatigued voters are in no mood for empty rhetoric. Clearly, government cannot continue with spending as usual. Make us promises, if you must, but give us solutions. Be bold and innovative, not part of the status quo. Candidates, be that leader that Hawaii needs and deserves. Challenge the voters. We certainly will be challenging you.