HONOLULU -- Mayor Mufi Hannemann's announced bid for Hawaii governor Thursday is creating a domino effect with politicians now lining up for a special election to fill the remainder of his term.

However, the aspiring mayoral candidates will have to wait until Hannemann vacates his mayoral position July 20, the last day to file to run for governor.

Political analyst Don Clegg said it is worth it for Hannemann to hold on the the mayor's seat as long as he can both to take care of unfinished city business as well as to take advantage of the exposure it offers him as a gubernatorial candidate.

Clegg said that exposure gives Hannemann a leg up over Democrat Neil Abercrombie, his leading democratic party opponent in the September 18 primary.

Abercrombie stepped down from his 1st Congressional District seat in February to run for governor.

Since then, Abercrombie has tried to draw attention to himself with television advertising and news conferences.

"Neil hs to create exposure. Mufi will be getting exposure without having to create it, " said Clegg.

Clegg said,"The exposure Mufi gets keeps him before the public eye and as mayor he gets a lot of that. We have seen Mufi is everywhere."

When Hannemann steps down as mayor, Honolulu managing director Kirk Caldwell will become acting mayor.

Caldwell announced Thursday he has opened a campaign office in Ward Warehouse and is officially running for mayor.

"Caldwell will be acting mayor when he is running for mayor and that's most helpful particularly in his case. He needs exposure," said Clegg.

Caldwell said, "I think as acting mayor I can demonstrate to the people of this city why I should be the next elected mayor and if that is an advantage so be it."

Before he became managing director, Caldwell was a Hawaii state representative representing the Manoa District.

Caldwell has been trying to make himself known to residents outside of Manoa with a series of television commercials, and by showing up at public events with Hannemann.

"I guess it is hard to get exposure when the person you are depending on is Mufi who grabs all the exposure around him," said Clegg.

Another leading contender for the mayor's seat is Honolulu prosecutor Peter Carlisle.

In the race, Carlisle will stress his experience as a Honolulu city executive.

"The facts are I have been sitting as an elected executive for the city and county for 14 years. I hope people will consider me as the candidate with the greatest level of experience as an elected executive in the city," said Carlisle.

The winner-take-all special election to fill the remaining two years in Hannemann's term will be the same day as Hawaii's Sept. 18 primary.

Also in the running for mayor this year are Honolulu Councilmen Rod Tam and Donovan Dela Cruz and anti-rail transit activist Panos Prevedourus.

Hannemann is the first Honolulu Mayor to leave office mid-term in 16 years.

Honolulu Mayor Frank Fasi in 1994 stepped down in mid-term to run unsuccessfully for governor. Fasi's managing director, Jeremy Harris, then was elected mayor.