Obama 'Ohana: Democratic Nominee Gets Warm Welcome In Hawaii

Who says you can't go home again? Senator Barack Obama, arriving for a vacation in his hometown of Honolulu, proved that you could. The native son touched down Friday, August 8 around 2 pm HST, met briefly with reporters and was driven to Ke'ehi Lagoon, a park near the airport, where almost five thousand people waited patiently in the warm Honolulu afternoon.

Whether this audience was more or less enthusiastic than the hundreds of thousands - millions? - of people he's already spoken to at home or abroad can be debated. Because the weeklong trip was originally billed as a vacation with no public events, this was put together at the last minute. It was also a workday and just hours before the time-delayed broadcast of the Opening Ceremony in Beijing.

In February, the Democratic Caucus drew tens of thousands, a record number, many of whom were newcomers to politics and not sure what a caucus was. They expected to vote and leave, and had no plans to wade through party procedural rules. But wait they did, and happily. Friday's crowd, who braved limited parking, a long hot security line about 500 yards into the park from the street and more waiting in the late afternoon sun, was patient and well-behaved. They appeared to be more curious, not die-hard supporters. You know, the people who want to say they saw him, heard him, maybe briefly shake hands or get a picture, to be part of history in the making. It was not a rally.

Banners and posters were not allowed; it was really Senator Obama's chance to thank Hawaii voters officially. During the primary season there were too many tight states to risk the time to come here. He said his staff told him: "If you can't take Hawaii you're in trouble." Take it he did, 76% of the caucus votes. It's likely to be similar in November, even accounting for the high military presence, John McCain's territory.

So finally, here he was, in person, one of us (although better dressed.) Hawaii is called the Rainbow State and is a dual moniker, primarily because actual rainbows are common since it's tropical and rains a lot, but also for the wide population diversity of the state. Asians, Pacific Islanders, mainland Caucasians - called haoles - live side by side with African Americans, Europeans and military personnel who returned to live or retire. All of them were represented in the crowd. Keiki (kids) in strollers - one young man about five did not fully appreciate his Dad's explanation of the importance of the day - up to seniors.

Right on time Senator Daniel Akaka, our gracious 83-year-old junior senator, took the stage for brief enthusiastic remarks about Obama and to introduce Congressman Neil Abercrombie, who actually knew both of Obama's parents back in the day when they were all idealistic college students. He gave maybe the shortest speech he's ever given, to me a sign of the devotion he holds for Barack. Mufi Hannemann, our illustrious mayor, however, was not so brief. He harkened back to JFKs visit when he was nine. Maybe Hannemann will run for Governor. No one really listened - vehicles were slowly crawling along the blocked-off back roadway - but we're used to him so we applauded. Toward the end of his long speech Hannemann segued back to Obama, telling us how he will bring the change we need before one of those rousing introductions politicians do so well (or often, anyway) - "Honolulu's latest and greatest gift to the world."

And there he was. Show time. The polite applause of previous speakers erupted in deafening cheers. Cell phone cameras shot up with more precision than the NYC Ballet Corps. He was dressed in a black loose-fitting polo shirt and khaki pants. He introduced his wife Michelle, in a long white sleeveless top with thin black pants, to hearty applause. He called her his "partner, love and the person who knocks sense into me once in a while." The kids, Malia, 10 and Sasha, 7, had gotten off the plane with him but were nowhere in sight, were probably already happily in their bathing suits and slippahs (flip-flops) before Dad finished talking and joined them.

He gave the shaka sign - little finger and index finger wave - and hollered out, "How are y'all doing?" Before the more local opener: "Howzit?" He thanked Akaka, Abercrombie and Hannemann for being there and then he spoke warmly of our senior senator, Dan Inouye. To locals, this meant something because earlier this year Inouye, who supported Clinton, said (about Obama's local roots) that because he went to Punahou, he should not be considered really homegrown because it's "not exactly a school for impoverished children." This brought loud cries from pretty much everyone because it's a popular school even if it's expensive and private - with a waiting list - but also because Obama went through all four years on a scholarship. Inouye graduated from Roosevelt High, near in miles but not in income. Inouye had to spend several days apologizing to many people. Obama showed class and style to mention him and to spend a moment honoring the value he brings to our state.

Obama opened by talking about what Hawaii means to him, what it means to be from here, how those values shaped his growing up with a single parent, "who sometimes needed food stamps but could still give her son a good education." He talked of the country that gave his grandfather, who proudly served in WWII, money for his education and a loan to buy a home, a government that honored those who served by taking care of them. "That's the government we deserve. That's the government we're fighting for." His grandfather, Stanley Dunham, is buried at Punchbowl Cemetery, just mauka (toward mountains) of downtown Honolulu and the State Capitol.

Soon he spoke of change being scary, that people want change but maybe not too much change, and extolled everyone there that it's going to be a close race and to knock on doors and email and call friends. He said everything helped, even $5 or $10.

I told friends he spoke for about 40 minutes, but The Honolulu Advertiser\ said it was only 16 minutes. I guess they time those things. It was part stump speech, part homecoming. It was probably also a necessity. His only other scheduled appearance is a fundraiser -- $2300 for the cheap seats and $10,000 per person for a private reception, out of reach for most of us and by invitation only. I'm sure it was pointed out to his staff that some kind of open-to-the-public event had to happen. He explained he was on vacation, he would get a plate lunch, go to Zippy's, maybe get a Zip min (large bowl of meat/vegetable soup, with fresh noodles), shave ice, all local fare, and body surf "in an undisclosed location." He would watch his girls play in the water and visit his "tutu" (grandmother in Hawaiian). Madelyn Dunham is the woman who raised him when his mother remarried and lived in Indonesia, and the one he referred to in a controversial statement about her occasional fear of black men during his famous speech on race relations following the - how long ago it seems - attack on Rev. Jeremiah Wright, is now 87 years old. He says she's "sharp as a tack" but struggling with osteoporosis and can't get around. She does not speak publicly about her history-making and beloved grandson but to those who wonder where he came from, she was the first female vice president at Bank of Hawaii, a trendsetter in her time.

He didn't stay long to shake hands and work the crowd. It was hot, the trade winds kept it from being unbearable but the job you don't want is Secret Service, easily spotted in their blue blazers (Does anyone in Hawaii even own a blazer?) I suppose they get used to discomfort but seriously, someone should spring for Aloha shirts. Maybe they don't want to blend into the crowd. Here, a tank top can be considered formal wear. He did stop for the requisite photo ops with the dignitaries, including Brian Schatz, Chair of the Hawaii Democratic Party. He then waved to those us still there and on the wrong side for a handshake, and off he went. He's staying in a private home on Windward Side and I'm sure the media will track him for daily vignettes, vacation or not, co-workers will have sighting stories, but we're his Hawaiian 'ohana (family), we'll leave him be because we, like him, understand the value of family and friends time.

Comments

[WFV]

Wishing him a well deserved break from all the madness. He will be even better after this rest.

[TrooAmerican]

Just about any word that McCain utters thats negative now is pretty much complete and total fraud, and the spineless media too worried that their conservative "Owners" will fire them for intgrity, refuse to smach McCain on his constant stream of lies and fraud about his own plans and Barack's.

[missette]

This should be shown over and over to refute the contention of both McCain's and Hillary's supporters that Obama can only speak with the help of a teleprompter. This was totally off the cuff, which means he was speaking from the heart, and he speaks from the heart very very well.

[Tommygun264]

Thank you, Ms. Harter, for demonstrating the same class and generosity as Senator Obama by taking the time to shine a light on the people of Hawaii and our part, albeit comparatively small, in the electoral process. Hawaii's relatively small population and predictable Democratic leanings over the past 40 years or so all too often leaves us treated as an afterthought, if thought of at all, when it comes to the national general elections. While I have no doubt that the fact that Barack Obama was born and mostly raised in Hawaii has a lot to do with his overwhelming popularity here in the islands, I can tell you that there is more to it than just that - the Hawaii Democratic Caucus was like a 21st century Woodstock, with record-setting participation, a significant portion of the voters being first-time voters under 30. And although the tensions between Obama and Clinton supporters had yet to peak, the friction was already becoming evident on a national scale, but it was non-existent at my polling station - we all knew that whatever the outcome, we were taking part in the early stages of a historically significant event and everyone was happy to be part of it regardless of who won. Thanks again for giving the rest of the country a glimpse of our local-style energy and enthusiasm for the man who we believe will be the next President of these United States.

[Paul Peete - Huffpost Blogger]

Great post and I wish I was there to cover this one! As he was quick to mention in England, a leader must know how to get away and restore his energy. What better place than Hawaii? Where is McCain's attack ad on that trip? Am I missing something?

[MyGuyO]

Have a well-deserved vacation, Senator Obama.

To Kathy H...I knew fully well what Shaka meant, having spent time in the islands. Thanks for your great article.

[vernbvb]

This story is both refreshing and revealing. I read everything i can about Senator Obama whom I didn't support when he first started running for President. Before the Texas primary my family had an intense discussion about the presidential race and it was after that discussion that i began to dig for more information on Senator Obama. I discovered that he was a super intelligent individual but beyond that he was a caring person who had a strong commitment to changing the direction of this country. His character has been revealed time and time again in his works.

Your story revealed even more of Senator Obama's character. He is protective of his grandmother, his family, and has a respect for him homeland, and the people of Hawaii. I think it spoke volumes for his character that he paid homage to one of my favorite politicians, Senator Inouye.

I am a new to the Huffington Post but will definitely be looking for more stories from you.

[Kathy Harter - Huffpost Blogger]

Thanks, Vernbvb, for the kind words. From the beginning I supported Obama but didn't think he could pull it out the first time out. I sure am glad to be wrong!

[JennyJay]

I sure wish the press would leave him alone for just this one week.
They will have the next eight and a half years to hound him, since he most certainly
WILL BE ELECTED OUR PRESIDENT in November.
It's going to be a grand adventure with Barack and his family in the white house.
Our future is looking mighty fine - compared to the filth and slime of the Bush Bunch.

[heal57]

What a pleasant story. Cheers to Senator Obama and the Hawaiian people.

[airboy]

Mahalo nui loa for the wonderful report. Wish I could have been there --- I'm jealous of my friends who were!

[Liberoservative]

Thank you for a "down to earth" picture of our next President....

I am so glad that he is taking this small vacation.... has anyone noticed how this campaign has aged him? He has been non-stop for almost two years and it is taking its toll....

I look forward to a re-energized O!!!!!!!

This man is not perfect, but he is the first candidate in a long time to take on the status quo... since he is doing this he is being villified... he has more fronts to fight than any other presidential candidate in history and yet...

His message rings true..... We are the ones who will change America and get her back to what our founding fathers meant for her to be.....

Yes We Can

[Yankeegirl1958]

I really liked reading that piece.

I am glad he has had a chance to go home and spend some time in Hawaii. Hawaii is such a special place. I will have to ask my nephew if he went.

[kellygrrrl]

Thanks! that just made my day

[hokulele]

Kathy,

I was the old guy with the white shirt on his head (man, i needed more SPF). I knew I recognized you from somewhere. I was just a few feet from the front rail, but got to shake Barack and Michele's hands. They look better in person. What a great event. It was worth the wait. Keep up your good work.

BTW "haouli" is a term used by those who have an "ethnocentric" issue. It's not used as a friendly word. While it is, indeed, diverse here in Hawaii, on O'ahu, with five times the population than when I first got here as a new student at UH, there are distinct groups who do not chose to recognize "haolis" as a part of the whole of the culture here in the islands. This ethnocentricity appears to be more visible in particular areas on O'ahu. We need to work together to extinguish this.

[Kathy Harter - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi,
We all needed more sunblock, but I slathered on some aloe lotion and I'm good. I was with a friend who did her best to get up and shake hands but it was too crowded so we are both officially jealous that you got to do that. Good for you.

I've never had a problem with haole term, and friends use it as descriptive, not a put down, although I've heard that your version is accurate, also. Some people are just not accepting of different ideas or people. Which is part of what makes Barack Obama so exciting, that connection to so many people, and the acceptance that goes with. Still a ways to go but it's hard not to be optimistic.

[CamJam]

Thank you for providing this excellent report. I also found a wee bit of a video report of his speech on Youtube that impressed me as well here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLJa3vO7WUA

Many things he says in this speech hits home to MANY Americans - one way or another - he taps on important issues that we care about. For me, it's Iraq, healthcare, the economy, and not just any change, but a change for the better (just look at the so-called changes Bush has caused)
I strongly believe Obama's changes will be for the better and that's why this Oregonian voted for him in the May 20 2008 Oregon Primary.

And to the others responding, thank you VERY much for clearing up that "shaka" sign.... when I first read this, I thought it meant he was doing the Bush Longhorn sign.

[Kathy Harter - Huffpost Blogger]

I may never live down the shaka mistake. Especially now that you related it to Bush. Whew, good catch by a few people.

I was recently in Oregon, driving through the small coastal towns and saw an Obama sign in front of a house. I was so excited I wanted to knock on their door and hug them. (Actually, I wasn't driving or I might have, then shared it with Off the Bus.) I knew then he would win the election.