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What do the websites of the three leading Hawaii governor candidates tell us?

Can we learn anything that might help us make a decision about whom to support from how they present themselves online and how adept they are at using the medium?

We take a look at the campaign websites of Democrats Mufi Hannemann and Neil Abercrombie, and Republican James “Duke” Aiona in the days immediately following the July 20 election filing deadline.

Each page has a wealth of information about the candidate’s background, lots of pretty pictures, glowing testimonials from supporters, and information on how to contact the campaign and invite the candidate to speak.

Where they differ significantly is that Hannemann’s and Aiona’s websites are very light on platform details — what they say they will do as governor — while Abercrombie’s is highly specific.

While all three men identify education, energy and the economy as top issues, Hannemann’s “vision” page contains only 266 words; a campaign brochure available for download includes a 324-word “Priorities for Hawaii” that is a rehash.

Aiona’s issue section, meanwhile, comes in at about 970 words.

By contrast, Abercrombie’s exceeds 9,400 words and includes bulleted points and action plans. Another 1,000 words addresses issue such as civil unions and firearms.

Abercrombie also scores points with Pau Hana 2.0, a statewide virtual coffee hour hosted by the candidate online on Aug. 18. He’s the candidate who most prominently takes advantage of the interactivity of the web.

In short, if voters were to learn about a gubernatorial candidate only through the Internet, they would come away far more informed about the former congressman than the former mayor and current lieutenant governor.

Aiona’s page includes an awkward “Invite Duke Aiona to Your Event” form that asks things like “Lt. Governor to be seated at head table?” and “If other speakers, who? (500 character limit).” Not exactly inviting for a candidate who is known for having personal warmth and charm.

As for Hannemann, visitors to his website can download a picture of the candidate on a red hibiscus for a computer desktop background. All Mufi, all the time, it seems.

Learn more about each candidate’s website:

First thing you see: The candidate in suit and tie, the red-black-white banner used on all his campaign signs (i.e., with hibiscus and “Mufi” signature), the slogan “For All of Us,” a Contribute button, an e-news signup, an inset window that rotates Mufi photos tied to issues and events (e.g., Mufi’s Story shows the young Hannemann at the White House) and an Action Center with links to volunteer, register to vote and Invite Mufi to Visit.

Farther down the home page: Mufi Top Story (July 20: “Someone once said no one sits at a crossroad for very long…”), Mufi Blog (July 12: “One of the most memorable initiatives by Mayor Hannemann is the 21st Century Ahupuaa program…”), radio spots (e.g., “The 3 E’s,” i.e., economy, education, environment), Mufi’s Jukebox Jamboree (107.9 FM oldies audio), Just the Facts (“The Lingle-Aiona administration has taken a political approach to Hawaii’s Homeless problem rather than working collaboratively to solve the issue…”), Mufi On the Move (“Civil Beat wrote an excellent article detailing yesterday’s HVCA candidate forum. Give it a read!”), and links to Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, YouTube and LinkedIn.

Gushy testimonial: “He will go all the way to the Governor’s Office!” says Chris Berman, ESPN Anchor.

Roots cred: Attended Fern, Puuhale and Kalihi Kai elementary schools (K-6).

Did you know: Hannemann was accepted to Brown, Cornell, Harvard, Princeton, Stanford and Yale.

What’s missing: That he and wife Gail have no children, that he lost his first political election (for Congress in 1986: he defeated Neil Abercrombie in the primary but lost the special to Abercrombie and lost the general to Pat Saiki), and that he lost his first race for Honolulu mayor (in 2000 to incumbent Jeremy Harris).

Platform: Send children back to school, put people back to work, make state government work, champion Hawaii’s natural environment, show compassion to our most needy, temper fiscal responsibility with compassion, protect and keep our people safe, and honor home rule. “At the end of the day, it takes a leader with executive experience and a proven track record to bring people together and implement solutions…” (Note: Following a press conference Monday afternoon, Hannemann’s camp issued an “economic action plan” that listed ideas like resurrecting the Hawaii Superferry and keeping the NFL Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium. But those ideas came in the form of a press release, not something the average voter would look at.)

Fun fact: Hannemann served in the administrations of U.S. Presidents Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton.

First thing you see: The candidate in a YouTube video (“I’m calling on you to participate…”) dominates the page. Links to Donate Now, Sign Up and Skip to the Home Page.

Farther down the home page: Links to Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Flickr. The actual Home Page, once you skip the video, is dominated by pictures of a brief slide show of the candidate with diverse groups of people (e.g., “Bringing people together”). Farther down there’s In The News (July 23: “Human Rights Campaign Endorses Neil Abercrombie”) and Quick Links (e.g., “Neil’s views on offshore drilling and energy independence”).

Gushy testimonial: “I met him one day at Zippy’s Kahala. He actually came up to me and said hello, meet my wife Nancie,” says Leona Urata of Waipahu. “And I thought that was so awesome that he wasn’t running at that time, but he was still so down to earth and so happy to meet everyone.”

Roots cred: Abercrombie move from New York to Hawaii in September 1959, one month after statehood, to study at UH Manoa.

Did you know: Abercrombie lost his first political race — for the U.S. Senate in 1970 against Democrat Cec Heftel and Republican Senator Hiram Fong — declaring himself “Super Senator” in comic-book regalia (it included a cape and a peace symbol on his muscular chest).

What’s missing: That he and wife Nancie Caraway have no children (they have a cat, Che, and dog, Kanoa) nor any mention of his iconic Yellow Checker Cab.

Platform: Economy and jobs, education, early childhood, energy, small business and entrepreneurship, technology and innovation, and “more issues” (e.g., animals cruelty, fishing and fisheries, “Racing and Motorsports Complex,” rail transit, taxes). “Let’s gather around Hawaii; it’s a dawn of new leadership, a change in direction, a renewed sense of hope…”

Fun fact: Abercrombie worked as a waiter at Chuck’s Steak House in Waikiki, as a locker desk clerk at the Central YMCA, and as a custodian at Mother Rice Preschool.

First thing you see: Duke Aiona (with mustache) waving from a rugged mountain valley, and Donate Now and Sign Up for Updates links. Just below is a slideshow (e.g., “100 Small Business, 100 Days”), some with pics of the lieutenant governor with a mustache, some without. There’s also Community Quotes (e.g., “Be absolutely assured that Ralph and Susan McIntosh are praying for you and your family”) and links to Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.

Farther down the home page: A DukeAiona2010 tweet log (e.g., “Check out my interview with KHON-TV 2: http://bit.ly/c3N3pj”), a Campaign Blog (July 7: “Governor Linda Lingle yesterday vetoed HB 444, a controversial bill that would have permitted same-sex civil unions…”) and, at bottom, links titled Meet Duke, Hawaii’s Future, Media and Support Duke.

Gushy testimonial: “I can’t wait to change your name from Lt. Governor to Governor!” says Eileen Forster. And this, from Tammy Lum of Honolulu: “All HAWAIIANS ask YOURSELVES this question, DO WE REALLY WANT A NON-HAWAIIAN IN THE GOVERNORS OFFICE DURING THE INFANCY OF OUR SELF DETERMINATION!!!!”

Roots cred: A “proud keiki o ka aina” who has “never forgotten his roots. Duke was born in Pearl City and graduated from Saint Louis School.”

Did you know: According to Aiona, he is “the most active Lt. Governor in Hawaii’s history.”

What’s missing: Nothing.

Platform: Clean energy, the economy, safety, education and families. “As a husband and parent of four children, he knows that parents want nothing more than a better life for their children.”

Fun fact: Wife Vivian worked for Air Canada for 25 years as a passenger service representative.