Islanders rally for Obama

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KAHULUI - Retired workers, Upcountry artists and college students joined a rally Tuesday night in support of Barack Obama's presidential campaign held at Maui Waena Intermediate School.

More than a hundred people, representing a cross section of Maui's voting population, turned out for a bento dinner and speeches by Hawaii Democratic Party leaders, and to sign up to be involved in the summer campaign activities for the Hawaii-born Obama.

"He's great," said retiree Louise Corpuz. "I think he knows what he's talking about."

Corpuz, sitting with her fellow ILWU pensioners from Central Maui, said even though she thinks Obama is young, "Give him a try."

"We support our union-endorsed candidates," said Ruby Yoshisato, a retired Maui Land & Pineapple Co. worker.

"He's young and energetic."

On the opposite end of the age spectrum, 20-year-old Chelsea Schneider joined in the rally to support the presumptive nominee for the Democratic Party. The college student from Kihei said Obama invokes hope and faith.

"He's different," she said.

In her first chance to vote in a presidential election, she said she is pleased to find a candidate she believes in.

Since winning more than the 2,118 delegates needed to ensure his nomination, Obama has been endorsed by his chief opponent in the primary campaign, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, and refocused his campaign against Republican Sen. John McCain.

Obama will secure his nomination at the Democratic National Convention being held Aug. 25-28 in Denver.

The rally Tuesday attracted former Clinton supporters as well as ardent Obama backers, Andy Winer, Hawaii state director for the Obama campaign, pointed out to the crowd.

Even though Obama has had a strong hold in Hawaii as shown in the support in the state's Democratic caucuses, Winer told the Maui audience that they cannot let up. He said Hawaii residents need to get their former neighbors and relatives in Nevada involved in the Obama campaign as that state could be a swing state.

"This year is going to be our year, not only locally but nationally," Winer said. "We are going to take over the White House."

Obama supporters said they liked Obama's eloquence and his promises for change.

Thelma Pascua, a bookkeeper and secretary from Kahului, wore a black tank top declaring her love for Obama.

"I think he's a down-to-earth person," Pascua said. "I know he'll make changes. I know he's honest."

She also supports Obama for his promise to bring home the troops from Iraq and his ideas for improving the economy.

Retired carpenter Steve Suyat said Obama is a "dynamic speaker," but will need to fulfill the promises of his campaign.

"I hope he does the things he says he's going to do," he said.

Besides serving as an organizing effort, the rally was a fundraiser, with Maui Artists for Peace selling shirts and tank tops with Obama's portrait.

Artist Michelle Sewell, who is part of the group, said the shirts and tank tops have also been sent to Obama's campaign on the Mainland, and Obama's sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng, was also presented a shirt when she came to Maui and visited the "War and Peace" art exhibition.

"I think Barack Obama is the best candidate," Sewell said. "I can't wait for a change . . . a wave of change . . . a shift, if you will. I think it's imperative."

Sewell, who will attend the Democratic National Convention as a volunteer, said she likes Obama's platform and his commitment to health care, education and the economy.

She said she believes he can change the world's view of the United States.

Maui campaign organizer Kallie Keith-Agaran, a former county Democratic Party chairwoman, said she had lived in Chicago and met Obama. She is motivated and feels he has inspired others in the community.

"He's smart. He's articulate. He knows what people want. His values are spot on. He can articulate subtleties between lost patriotism and real patriotism for example. He's passionate, he's committed. He motivates people and he walks the talk," she said. "I can tell you just by looking in the room. That's his impact. We would've had 20 people if we were lucky four years ago."

That feeling was echoed by Tony Edington, who said he could support Clinton or Obama.

"I'm excited about the national election and this is the beginning of that process, so I wanted to contribute," he said. "I like his position on the war and I think that having him as the new face of the Democratic Party would be good for the party as well.

* Staff Writer Steven Tonthat contributed to this story. Melissa Tanji can be reached at mtanji@mauinews.com.