WASHINGTON — The Democratic and Republican presidential candidates are talking about giving up pork-barrel spending and seeking greater transparency in spending for local projects, but Hawai'i's congressional delegation still declines to disclose what special funding projects they seek.

The lawmakers say that if they list the projects publicly, it could raise people's hopes prematurely and disappointment if the request doesn't receive congressional approval.

But a growing number of lawmakers — more than 85 House members and senators at the latest count — have said they will disclose this year's earmark requests or will not seek any, according to Taxpayers for Common Sense.

Sens. Daniel K. Inouye and Dan Akaka, both Hawai'i Democrats, also voted last week against a proposal to ban funding the pet projects this year. The Senate rejected the one-year moratorium on a 71-29 vote.

"Sen. Akaka does not want to release a wish list of potential earmarks before they are approved," said Jesse Broder Van Dyke, spokesman for the senator. "Sen. Akaka fully supports transparency of earmarks, and he discloses all earmarks that are adopted into bills, but he does not want to create false expectations."

But the three presidential contenders — Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton, John McCain and Barack Obama — all voted for the moratorium.

Obama has released three year's worth of the senator's earmark requests and said he would not seek funding for any special projects this year.

Clinton will not stop requesting projects but will impose new guidelines limiting those requests, according to her spokesman Philippe Reines.

McCain, a longtime opponent of the earmarking process, has not asked for special project funding.

Earmarks usually are for projects in representatives' home states that are popular with constituents. The practice has come under greater scrutiny after high-profile corruption scandals, such as one involving former Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham, R-Calif., who took bribes to insert earmarks in legislative bills. Opponents argue that earmarks are based on politics rather than merit. Supporters maintain that earmarks are vital for getting federal money to states.

The Hawai'i delegation has steered hundreds of millions of dollars in special project funding to the state over the years.

Inouye, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, has often been singled out as one of Congress' top lawmakers for special projects money.

Last year, for example, Inouye's earmarks totaled almost $230 million in Hawai'i special projects. He joined with other lawmakers to secure an additional $184 million in earmarks, according to Taxpayers for Common Sense.

But Mike Yuen, spokesman for Inouye, said the senator does not disclose his earmark requests because "doing so can lead to false hope" in the groups that request the money.

"The funding process is very competitive; revealing a proposal before it is considered can lead to disappointment for its supporters if it does not gain traction," Yuen said. "Furthermore, as chairman of an appropriations subcommittee, the senator is sensitive to any situation that could create the impression that he is not fair or even-handed."

Abercrombie said he calls special projects "member initiatives."

"What we do is we have a series of initiatives and we negotiate with each other about what will be forthcoming," Abercrombie said. "We don't discuss them ahead of time with anybody for the simple reason that it would interfere with our strategy and our tactics in trying to succeed with them."

Hirono said she would not release her funding requests but would announce all the earmarks she receives.

"Releasing the requested earmarks wouldn't be fair to those companies and organizations that are still trying to secure funding from other sources, public and private," she said.

Reach Dennis Camire at dcamire@gns.gannett.com.