HONOLULU -- U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono on Friday announced that she is putting her support behind Hawaii-born Sen. Barack Obama for president.

Hirono's decision officially puts her with U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie in Obama's camp. It also adds another superdelegate vote to Obama's total.

Hirono said it was time to unify the party and focus on defeating Sen. John McCain for the White House.

"Barack Obama can unite our Party and our country and bring about the positive changes Americans want," she said in her written statement.

Sen. Dan Akaka has not announced who he will endorse.

Clinton and Obama raised money for Akaka during the election against former U.S. Rep. Ed Case. Obama endorsed Akaka during that election and also appeared in a commercial that aired on local television.

Akaka said he is friends with both of the candidates and remains on the fence at this point.

Superdelegates Sen. Dan Inouye and Hawaii National Committeeman Richard Port are committed to Clinton.

Hawaii National Committeewoman Dolly Strazer is expected to commit to Obama soon.

Annelle Amaral said if she is elected state party chairwoman she will give her super delegate vote to Obama.

"I think it is important for hawaii's delegation to pull together now and to support Sen. Obama. I think it is important for us to do it quickly and to do it before we go into our convention," Amaral said.

Hirono also pointed to some of the lessons Obama learned from living in Hawaii.

"Of course, all of us are especially proud of Senator Obama's deep roots here in our state, and overwhelmingly embraced his candidacy in our recent caucus. His love for Hawaii and understanding of its diversity have given him a foundation for understanding the diversity of our country," she said in her statement.

Obama was born in the islands and graduated from Punahou School. His half-sister Maya and his grandmother still live her. He often visited the islands and said that after the campaign is over he hopes to take some down time in Hawaii.