Former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann announced today he is running for the 2nd Congressional District seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono, who has announced she is running for U.S. Senate.

Hannemann, a Democrat who served as mayor from 2005 to 2010, said in a news release he is focused on improving the economy and resolving the “debt crises and partisan conflict over the direction of fiscal policy.”

City Councilwoman Tulsi Gabbard and Office of Hawaiian Affairs chief advocate Esther Kiaaina have also announced they are running for the 2nd District seat.

Hannemann, 57, is president and CEO of the Hawaii Hotel & Lodging Association.

He said his decision to run has been influenced by strong support for him to return to public office.

“This grassroots support has been strong on the neighbor islands, where I spent a portion of my business and government career, and where I have built and maintained many cherished friendships over the years,” Hannemann said.

Hannemann said other areas of focus would include preserving Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, protecting the environment and obtaining more federal funding for education.