What kind of shot does a first-time candidate have in breaking through a crowd of experienced politicians to make his way into Congress?

Not much, many would argue, but to Hanalei Aipo-alani and Joe Zuiker, the possibility is enough for both to launch full-blown campaigns for the U.S. House seat in the 2nd Congressional District.

In a contest where name recognition may be as valuable as a legislative voting record, Aipoalani and Zuiker are making valiant efforts to meet and greet voters in their districts.

Even if their campaigning doesn't pay off in this election, heightening their visibility now could give them a running start in future elections.

But for now, with only a plurality needed to take the 10-candidate primary, inspiring and engaging the voters may be enough to push any of the candidates over the top.

Here's what Aipoalani and Zuiker say they have to offer:

AIPOALANI A 'CENTRIST'

When he heard that Rep. Ed Case would not be running for re-election in the U.S. House, 27-year-old Hanalei Aipoalani knew it was time to come home.

The Nanakuli High School graduate had been living in California with his wife for almost eight years and until last winter had resisted entreaties to run for office on the state level here, since doing so could be seen as a culturally inappropriate challenge to his political mentors.

The open congressional seat changed his mind about seeking an office.

Although this is his first election, Aipoalani is no stranger to Hawai'i's political scene.

His mother, Merrie Aipoalani, has long been involved in Hawai'i government, and his mentor was the late U.S. Rep. Patsy Mink, whom he worked for from 1998 to 1999.

While working in Mink's Honolulu office, he learned a great deal about federal issues facing the 2nd Congressional District. He also learned about himself.

"I thought I knew it all when I worked for Patsy," he said. Instead, he discovered he had a lot to learn, academically and personally. "It forced me to go on and study," he said.

He and his wife, Angelita, moved to California soon after, where they pursued higher education and their careers.

Aipoalani spent seven years working in the biotherapeutics industry, helping startup businesses attract financing from venture capitalists.

However, despite success in the private sector, his heart has always been in public service, he said. Among the things he would like to see are full funding for and amendments to the federal No Child Left Behind Act, an increase in the state's stock of affordable housing, federal recognition for Native Hawaiians and economic development in rural communities.

Aipoalani describes himself as a "centrist," comparing his views to those of Case or U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, who focus on compromise and moderating conflict.

"I'm not a partisan person," Aipoalani said. "I love my party for what they've instilled in me for many years, but when you look at the demographics of the district, you don't just serve the majority, which may be Democrats, you serve everybody."

Aipoalani said he knows he may not have the political experience other candidates have, but he believes he has the passion. "(Congress) was always my dream career," he said. "Even though I have a knack for business, public policy is my calling."

ZUIKER: NO 'PORK'

Joe Zuiker literally is running his campaign all over the state.

Rejecting special-interest money, the 65-year-old marathon runner is operating a shoestring campaign that includes running through neighborhoods across the district, getting his name into the public eye and taking the opportunity to meet potential voters.

"I am running because I refuse to tie myself to special interests that will only keep me from speaking freely about thoughts that are in my heart and in my head," he said.

He opposes war in Iraq and would rather see the money directed toward adding housing for senior citizens and the needy, and making college and vocational training more affordable.

He also wants to put an end to "pork-barrel spending" that earmarks portions of the federal budget to benefit certain constituencies. While he welcomes federal money that comes to Hawai'i, he wants to spread the message: "Don't buy pork if it's not on sale."

Above all, he wants to make sure the country is a better place for his 10 grandchildren. "When I'm dying, I want to be able to look them in the face to tell them I did my best, because I have my own concerns and fears of what they will have 30, 40, 50 years from now," he said.

Although the state House seat in his district is being vacated by fellow congressional candidate Rep. Brian Schatz, Zuiker said he feels his experience is better suited for a federal position.

A former Peace Corps volunteer, Zuiker has a long record of working to help the disadvantaged, from building roads in the Dominican Republic to addressing public housing issues in the Virgin Islands, to concentrating his Hawai'i law practice on work-related injuries.

Zuiker sees Congress as a place where his life experience and ideas can be used to benefit the public.

"I chose to live my life all kinds of ways and help people in all kinds of ways," he said. "I'm at this juncture in life where I have a few years left, hopefully, with the grace of God, so I decided this is where my experiences can be well used."

Reach Treena Shapiro at tshapiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.