Each is a gift with meaning and, organizers of a special tribute tomorrow to Ronald Reagan hope, a way for Hawai'i to say aloha to a favorite president.

The tribute to Reagan will be held at St. Andrew's Cathedral — the same Beretania Street church that the president and Mrs. Reagan worshiped at during a 1984 visit. Local businesses, churches, the military and Hawaiian groups quickly came together in the past two days to create the nonpartisan event, said Dale Evans, president of Charley's Taxi and one of the organizers.

The ceremony will run from noon to 1 p.m. at the cathedral. The public is invited.

"He came from humble beginnings," Evans said. "He went to a college that people made fun of. And they made fun of him being an actor. And yet, he became president of the United States."

The tribute will include a military honor guard, a 21-gun salute, taps and a Hawaiian chant written especially for Reagan by John Lake and Frank Kawaikapuokalani Hewett.

A kukui nut lei also will be presented by Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona and flower lei will be presented on behalf of Hawai'i's children.

Dr. Franklin Kometani, who was co-chair of the Hawai'i effort to reelect Reagan in 1984, will present the cowboy hat. Kometani met the president at the White House and said it was an experience that left him "dumbstruck with awe."

"I think there is a great deal of respect and adoration for someone who came in when I thought the country needed someone to give us spirit," Kometani said. "When you listened to him and you saw him and you were around him, you were always optimistic. He was going to take care of everything for you."

Syl Kop, co-owner of the Hula Supply Center, helped gather the gifts. Her shop is donating the 'ukulele.

She said Reagan worked for the good of the nation without a hint of selfishness.

"I have always admired Ronald Reagan as a true kupuna of the United States," she said. "He wanted so much good for his people, just like Queen Lili'uokalani."

Hawai'i Episcopal Bishop Richard S.O. Chang was a staffer helping Reagan aides when the president visited in 1984. Tomorrow he will give the invocation.

He doesn't know how many people will show up. In 1984, the 600-seat cathedral was jammed with people.

The tribute is a way for Hawai'i residents to honor a man who had an impact "on the life of our state and our community," he said.

"It's not only the Episcopal Church or the Republican Party," he said. "It is the community coming together. It is important for the community. It is like a family paying tribute to someone they respect."