State House and Senate Democratic leaders yesterday endorsed U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka in the Democratic primary for Senate, saying his warmth and experience make him better than U.S. Rep. Ed Case to represent Hawai'i.

The endorsement, at a morning news conference at the Korean and Vietnam War Memorials outside the state Capitol, is the latest indicator that the party's establishment is behind Akaka.

Case picked up endorsements yesterday from the Hawaii Restaurant Association and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, indicating his support within the business community.

House Speaker Calvin Say, D-20th (St. Louis Heights, Palolo, Wilhelmina Rise), and Senate President Robert Bunda, D-22nd (North Shore, Wahiawa), were among the 16 Democrats who appeared publicly for Akaka, including several who had worked with Case when he served in the House for eight years.

"It's in our opinion that the best man for the job is on the job," said House Majority Leader Marcus Oshiro, D-39th (Wahiawa).

"I'm supporting Senator Akaka because of the values that he represents," said Sen. Russell Kokubun, D-2nd (S. Hilo, Puna, Ka'u). "I can relate to those values and I think the people of Hawai'i can, too. The values of aloha and working with people and the warmth that he has mean a great deal to me. And I think that's the kind of qualities that our leaders need to exhibit."

Case sent out an e-mail Thursday asking elected officials to endorse him or let him know whether they were supporting Akaka. He also asked those who were undecided to contact him with any questions. The congressman pointed out that only 16 of the 61 Democrats in the Legislature showed up at the news conference despite weeks of organizing by Democrats loyal to Akaka.

"I'll take those odds into the voting booth," Case said.

The congressman said some of the Democrats endorsing Akaka were also among those who resisted or undermined his efforts in the House during the 1990s to reform the Bishop Estate and state government.

"This group is part of, and comes out of, and wants to maintain the political culture that I have said from day one in this campaign needs to change," Case said.

Rep. Dennis Arakaki, D-30th (Moanalua, Kalihi Valley), said the state's four-member congressional delegation needs to work together as a team.

"Having worked with Ed, we know he has an independent mind, an independent spirit," Arakaki said. "But sometimes that doesn't work well when it comes to teamwork."

Case, meanwhile, said his endorsements yesterday show he has been an advocate for business, especially small businesses important to the state's economy. "This is a time when we need our federal government to be helping our small businesses across this country," he said.

The Hawaii Restaurant Association, which represents the state's largest private employers, announced its support for Case at an afternoon news conference at Big City Diner at Ward Centre. The National Restaurant Association previously had endorsed the congressman.

"We feel like him being supportive of our issues is also being supportive of small business and regular people," said Beau Mohr, the chair of the Hawaii Restaurant Association.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce endorsed Case as someone who would fight for businesses on issues such as tax relief, healthcare and regulatory reform.

"Ed Case sees the big picture — he understands that America's businesses are the sparkplug for economic prosperity and job growth," Bill Miller, the chamber's vice president and political director, said in a statement.

Paychecks Hawaii, the independent political action arm of Small Business Hawaii, is expected to announce its endorsement of Case on Friday.

"From the time he was in the state House of Representatives, Ed Case has been independent, energetic, accessible to small business, has worked hard for beneficial jobs legislation while advocating reforms to help lower the cost of doing business in Hawai'i," Jack Schneider, a spokesman for Paychecks Hawaii and the owner of JS Services, said in a statement.

Reach Derrick DePledge at ddepledge@honoluluadvertiser.com.