"The Republican National Convention now stands in recess," Lingle said, banging her gavel to send delegates out to the streets of New York until later this evening. Lingle is the convention's temporary chairwoman all week, standing in when House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., is not available to preside.

Just before closing the proceedings, Lingle introduced the morning's benediction speaker, disability advocate Joni Eareckson Tada. A diving accident in 1967 left Tada a quadriplegic, but during her rehabilitation she learned how to paint by holding a brush in her teeth. She now travels the country speaking on behalf of disabled people.

"Enable us to stand firm on issues touching your heart, speaking courageously on behalf of those too weak to speak for themselves," Tada said in her prayer. "In being conservative, grant us compassion."

Lingle had seen Tada speak on television and was moved by her story, said the governor's spokesman Lenny Klompus.

Earlier in the session, Lingle cast all of Hawai'i's 20 votes to nominate Bush for another four-year term.

"We proudly represent the great state of Hawai'i, the 50th state in our nation," Lingle said. "The state where cultural diversity is not a slogan, but a way of life."

The Hawai'i delegation draped an orchid lei over the state's sign on the Madison Square Garden floor, and they attached a pineapple and some flowers to the bottom of it. Hawai'i Republican Party Chairman Brennon Morioka said it was important to bring some aloha spirit to the convention.

All the delegates wore T-shirts with Bush's campaign logo on them that read, "Keoki W. 2004," using Bush's Hawaiian first name. They were a big hit with other delegates, but Morioka said they didn't have enough to share.