Bush fund-raisers bolster local Republicans
By Lynda Arakawa
Advertiser Capitol Bureau
Hawai'i Republicans were on a President Bush high yesterday, with fund-raising events to boost the local party and photo opportunities at his own campaign event.
Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser
About 600 people attended the Bush-Cheney '04 fund-raiser at the Hilton Hawaiian Village last night and — paying $1,000 and $2,000 per ticket — raised more than $600,000. The designated host of each table was photographed with the president.
After hearing a speech at a fund-raiser at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, attendees flock around President Bush for pictures and handshakes.
Hawai'i Republicans said the president's visit was a boost for the local GOP and its fund raising, which will help their efforts in the 2004 election.
In addition to his own campaign event, Bush attended an invitation-only fund-raiser in the afternoon for the Hawai'i GOP at the Kahala Mandarin Oriental Hotel, in which 20 Republican Party supporters paid $10,000 each for the chance to meet him.
Last night's fund-raiser at the Hilton drew Hawai'i Republicans including Gov. Linda Lingle, Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona and state lawmakers, as well as other prominent figures such as developer Jeff Stone, Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc. president and CEO Robert Clarke and attorney Jeff Watanabe.
Attendees dined on plates of blackened ahi, roast beef and shrimp, and were dressed in a mix of suits and aloha shirts, evening gowns and office attire. The crowd greeted the president with a standing ovation, cheers and whistles, and interrupted his speech dozens of times with applause.
State Rep. Barbara Marumoto, R-19th (Kaimuki, Kahala, Wai'alae Iki), was thrilled to be photographed with Bush, saying she will put the picture on her wall and "definitely" use it in her campaign literature next year.
"It's a real upper for Republicans and President Bush fans," she said.
Rep. Guy Ontai, R-37th (Mililani, Waipi'o), said to call the president's visit a morale booster is "an understatement."
"Sure, he raised us some money, but I think what he really does is that personal touch. It kind of re-affirmed the belief that I'm on the right side," he said.
Ontai said although many of his constituents voted for Democratic presidential candidate Al Gore in 2000, he will use his photo with Bush in his campaign brochures next year.
Hawai'i Republican Party chairman Brennon Morioka said the Kahala Mandarin fund-raiser brought in about $200,000, which will go toward local efforts and the presidential campaign next year. He declined to say who attended that fund-raiser.
The party is aiming at increasing the number of Republicans in the state Legislature. Republicans hold 15 seats in the 51-member House, and five of the 25 seats in the Senate.
Reach Lynda Arakawa at larakawa@honoluluadvertiser.com or at 525-8070.
