Gov. Neil Abercrombie told Demo­crats on Friday that he is not worried about internal disagreements about environmental protection or other public-policy issues because the party always finds a path to unite.

"I’m not worried a bit about the fact that there were discussions going on as to what we should be doing with the environment, what we should be doing on civil rights, what we should be doing on Native Hawaiian rights … how should we be moving forward on seeing that everybody gets a job.

"That’s what the Demo­cratic Party’s all about. That’s what you’re about as Demo­crats," he told delegates at the state Demo­cratic convention at the Sheraton Waikiki resort.

Many of the party’s progressive, environmental and labor activists have been disappointed with Abercrombie and some at the state Legislature. Party leaders believe some of that sentiment might surface at the state convention over the next few days.

Abercrombie challenged individual delegates to take leadership roles. "Everyone here is a leader," he said. "We don’t have a hierarchy."

While his theme was unity, the governor inserted himself into an awkward situation surrounding a forum planned at the convention tonight for candidates for the rural Oahu and neighbor island congressional district.

Abercrombie insisted that all candidates should participate in the forum. But former Hono­lulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann and Hono­lulu City Councilwoman Tulsi Gabbard have informed party leaders they do not plan to attend. Former state Office of Hawaiian Affairs chief advocate Esther Kia­aina, Hilo attorney Bob Marx and patients’ rights attorney Rafael del Castillo are expected to participate.

Abercrombie defeated Hannemann in the Demo­cratic primary for governor in 2010. His wife, Nancie Cara­way, has endorsed Gabbard.

"I think everybody should be at the forum," the governor told reporters after his speech. "This is so important. In the Demo­cratic Party everybody should — they should make their case for themselves."

The priorities for Demo­crats this election year are to hold U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka’s Senate seat, U.S. Rep. Colleen Hana­busa’s urban Hono­lulu House seat and U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono’s rural Oahu and neighbor island House seat. Demo­crats would also like to send another strong mandate from the islands for Hawaii-born President Barack Obama.

Hirono and former U.S. Rep. Ed Case, the contenders to replace Akaka, who is retiring, will each have the opportunity to address the state convention. Case will speak this afternoon, and Hirono will talk Sunday morning after a tribute to Akaka.

The party had initially offered the candidates rally time at the convention — at $500 per minute — but only Hirono purchased time. Party leaders had suggested a forum between Hirono and Case, but the Hirono campaign did not include it on the congresswoman’s debate schedule.

After hearing criticism from Case and others that paid rally time sent the wrong message, Dante Carpenter, the party’s chairman, announced Friday that both candidates would be allowed to speak for free.

While the majority party will seek to use the convention to revive enthusiasm — several prominent Demo­crats were asked to speak to why they are Demo­crats — the actual business at the convention reflected tension among party activists and elected officials over the party’s ideological direction.

A resolution under consideration would remind elected officials that they are expected to support the party’s platform and resolutions at least 60 percent of the time. "I think it will make them think twice and just remind them who they are supposed to be," said Peter Ehr­horn, a delegate who is an insurance agent from Kailua. "They’re supposed to be Demo­crats, not Republicans."

Another resolution would place the party on rec­ord in opposition to exempting public or private construction proj­ects from environmental or regulatory review. The resolution is in response to bills before the state Legislature last session, most of which failed, that would have exempted state construction proj­ects from environmental review to speed up construction and help with economic recovery.

"I’m sorry, I think that anyone that is going to build something should have to follow the same regulations," said Lynn Sager, chairwoman of the party’s environmental caucus.

Democrats will debate potential changes to the party’s constitution that could revise the screening process for candidates who want to run for elected office as Demo­crats.

Laura H. Thielen, a former director of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources under Gov. Linda Lingle, a Republican, has filed as a Demo­crat to run for a Windward state Senate seat despite the fact that the party ruled she is ineligible because she has not been a member in good standing for six months.

Thielen asked for an exception to the rule but was rejected. Demo­crats can go to court to object to Thielen’s candidacy or move to expel her from the party.

Democrats ideally hope to reawaken the momentum the party had in 2008 when thousands of new people — including many young people — signed party cards to caucus for Obama.

"I think the message is different, though," said state Rep. Chris Lee (D, Lani­kai-Wai­ma­nalo). "People have engaged themselves in the political process in 2008. They’re still aware of what’s going on. They just need to be reminded that this is something that matters to them, and the future is at stake."