They’re off and running in the 1st Congressional District race after Neil Abercrombie’s announcement that he will resign his seat in order to campaign full time for governor.

Ed Case was already out on Monday with an email announcing “we punched it into full campaign mode” and had already started running a campaign ad on television statewide.

Despite his quick start, Case was not leading the money race at the last reporting deadline. That distinction seems goes to Republican Charles Djou as of September 30, Federal Election Commission records show.

As of September 30, 2009, Djou reported “cash on hand” of $265,912.84, including $60,500 raised during the July-September quarter.

Several Djou contributors have already bumped into the $2,400 individual contribution limit per election, according to the FEC report.

Those who reached the maximum contribution included Vic Hejmadi (President, Alii Security Systems), accountant Harvey H. Kawasaki, Lee R. Champion, dentist Lawrence K.W. Tseu, Jack Gaidos (financial consultant).

Djou’s total was more than twice the $124,026.02 total cash on hand reported by Case for Congress as of September 30. Case raised $41,413 during the quarter.

Top contributors to the Case campaign were:

David Carey III, President and CEO, Outrigger Hotels, $2,600
Norman Caris, Sr. VP, Caris & Co., $2,600
Robert Dewitz, President, HSI
Mr/Mrs. Larry Jefts, Sunshine Farms, $4,600

Senate President Colleen Hanabusa registered her campaign committee, Hanabusa 2010, on October 28, 2009 but has yet to disclose campaign receipts and expenditures.