As the bruising battle between Democrats Mufi Hannemann and Neil Abercrombie enters its final stretch, Duke Aiona, the presumed Republican candidate for governor, is spending four days in California.

The lieutenant governor’s office announced Friday that Aiona is using personal time Monday through Thursday this week to take the youngest of his four children to college in Santa Clara, Calif. The primary election is Saturday.

“He has traveled with each of his children to college as they begin this exciting new phase in their lives,” according to a press release.

Duke Aiona: family man.

Duke Aiona: cruising to his party’s nomination

Aiona has long spoken about the importance of his family and how it helps him to understand what Hawaii families are going through. Neither Abercrombie nor Hannemann has children, something Aiona himself has observed.

But Aiona’s trip is yet another example of how he’s broken little sweat thus far this election season.

Yes, he’s held press conferences and unveiled plans. He’s raised money and opened campaign headquarters on the major Hawaiian islands. And he has traveled throughout the state to meet with voters.

But, compared with Hannemann and Abercrombie, it’s pretty much been “campaign lite.” Aiona has declined nearly every opportunity to appear with the Democrats and his own primary opponent, John Carroll.

While Aiona is out of town, his campaign rolls on.

Each day this week there are sign-waving and phone-banking opportunities for supporters. The candidate plans a “talk story” Thursday evening in Kapolei.

As of late Sunday, however, Aiona’s campaign schedule shows no other events. It’s not clear, then, if he will be helping other GOP candidates in their races.

The last event on his office schedule, meanwhile, was a proclamation ceremony at the state Capitol Sept. 9 to raise awareness of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.