The Hawaii Restaurant Association has endorsed Lt. Gov. James “Duke” Aiona, the Republican candidate for governor.

The trade association is an advocacy group for 3,500 restaurants.

“Our industry believes he has always supported many of our positions and is committed to keeping down the high cost of doing business in Hawaii,” Chris Colgate, chairman of the Hawaii Restaurant Association Board of Directors, said today.

Aiona is facing former U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie, a Democrat, in the November general election.