Criticism of the Bush administration was an overriding element and rallying point for the party faithful throughout the three-day convention at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel. Democratic officials have said anti-Bush sentiment has prompted thousands to join the party, and speakers at the convention took every opportunity to take a swipe at the administration.

Sen. Dan Akaka, D-Hawai'i, said enthusiasm is building across the country for Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry.

"The message is straightforward: Are you better off than you were four years ago?" Akaka asked, prompting a loud "No" from the hundreds of delegates in the audience. "Of course not. Resoundingly and unfortunately, the answer we are hearing from most Americans across the country is no."

Akaka said Bush's policies have resulted in higher unemployment, "skyrocketing" budget deficits, a lack of financial support for public schools and a poorly executed battle against terrorism.

Rep. Neil Abercrombie, D-Hawai'i, said: "You're going to have your children and their children paying on this debt that George W. Bush has rung up. ... The selfishness and arrogance of this administration literally knows no bounds."

The convention also included a contested race for party chairman, in which Galuteria, a local entertainer, beat out O'ahu County Chairman Jimmy Toyama. Both pledged during pre-vote speeches to support the winner.

Galuteria, a 1973 Kamehameha Schools graduate, said the party needs to improve its communications and "step up our response to the GOP spin doctors." He also adopted what he said was outgoing chairman Alex Santiago's term — "new day Democrats" — to describe the party.

While members appreciate those who pioneered the party, Galuteria said, "we're also regretful that we missed some opportunities in the past few years and we admit the fact that we've made some mistakes."

Galuteria noted that Republican Gov. Linda Lingle won the 2002 election with fewer votes than she received in 1998, when she lost to then-Gov. Ben Cayetano.

"What we obviously understand is we lost our base, so we're going to try and galvanize our base," Galuteria said. "They're out there. Maybe they just don't trust the party right now, but we want to reframe it and give them something to come back to."

He said the party's immediate goals will be to maintain or increase its majorities in the House and Senate and win the governor's office in 2006. Democrats hold 36 of the 51 House seats and 20 of the 25 Senate seats.

The Hawai'i Republican Party, which is holding its state convention this weekend, is hoping to win enough seats in the Legislature to block veto overrides. That would mean winning three more seats in the House or four more seats in the Senate.