KGMB (AP):  WASHINGTON (AP) - Democratic U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie plans to run for governor of Hawaii next year.

An official familiar with Abercrombie's plans says the 10-term congressman will make his announcement through an Internet video to be released Sunday.

Abercrombie has served in the House since 1991. Before that, he was a state legislator and of the Honolulu City Council.

He will likely face stiff Democrat Primary competition from Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann.  Hannemann's recent political initiatives include pushing a Honolulu rail transit proposal and blocking an EPA required end to Honolulu's dumping of raw sewage into the ocean.

COVERAGE: Advertiser, Star-Bulletin, KHON, Maui News, The Hill

FLASHBACK December 1, 2008: Abercrombie: "And, while Governor Lingle was traveling around Asia looking for tourists, Hawaii’s mayors were busy pulling together lists of critical infrastructure needs to provide to the President-elect."

Today's news: Hotel occupancy back up from 61% in Dec to 75% in Feb on boost in Korean, Australian tourism (while Dems still squabble over pork projects)

Discover the Networks: Abercrombie profile (must read!)

Neil Abecrombie: D-Hezbollah (must read)

REPUBLICAN OPPONENTS:

Duke Aiona for Governor: www.dukeaiona.com 

Charles Djou for Congress: www.djou.com