Still, a group of Korean-Americans and Korean nationals has been preparing excitedly for their brief encounter. It has been nine years since a sitting South Korean president has visited Hawai'i, and several community leaders say they want to capitalize on the opportunity to take pride in Korean heritage.

"To us it's really a big deal," said Jennifer Myung Hui Kim, best known for her local broadcast on Radio Seoul (KREA, 1540 AM). "You could have a different philosophy from the president ... maybe people have a different opinion, but they're happy to welcome him."

This is supposed to be a low-spotlight visit for Roh, but nobody wants a dignitary to leave the Islands without an aloha package, something that Kim is putting together.

Designer Young Lee, owner of the Fabric Mart stores and the Printex textile firm, created an aloha print for Roh and family. Chong Mi Cho Yamaki sewed up the gifts — a pair each of aloha shirts, mu'umu'u and baby outfits for the couple's grandson — at her 'Aiea shop, CC Fashions.

Along with assorted golf balls from private clubs, pineapple wine, books, Hawaiian salt and other foods, the clothes will be packed in a lauhala box, topped with a flower lei.

"Everything has to be Hawaiian," Kim said. "My big objective is if he can wear the aloha shirt, that would be successful."

Joining Kim aboard the welcome wagon — though not related to her — is Peter Kim, who heads the newly established Korean American Foundation. He's thrilled by the visit, which he terms "a positive for the Korean community."

The foundation, a product of last year's celebration marking the Korean immigration centennial, seeks to plan events that will maintain the higher profile the culture enjoyed during the 2003 observance, he said.

Korean consciousness here has been a bit muted when compared to the more politically charged environment of Mainland Asian America, said Peter Kim and others. Hawai'i Koreans consider themselves a part of local culture first and Koreans second, said Korean-born state Rep. Sylvia Luke, especially if they descended from early immigrants.

"It's a little more close-knit here, and interracial, too," Luke said. "It's something Hawai'i should be proud of."

Despite the general ambivalence about Korean politics, some observers have given thought to the tides of current events in South Korea. Jungmin Seo, a University of Hawai'i political science professor, said he has watched Roh's popularity fluctuate as he seeks the middle ground between his own progressive roots and the conservative business interests.

He also has struggled to assert a greater Korean autonomy, having made a pragmatic political decision to become a U.S. military ally in Iraq, Seo said.

"Many progressive Korean people expected he would have his own voice against America, but he realized you have to cooperate with the U.S.," he added.

Roh is homeward bound following the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting this weekend in Santiago, Chile, where he also was to meet privately with President Bush. While in Los Angeles last weekend he restated his policy favoring increased dialogue with North Korea to curb its nuclear program.

Roh's opposition to a "hard-line stance" ruffled some feathers among the more conservative Koreans there, said UH history professor Jun Yoo.

"He made it clear what his vision is, but that's in direct conflict with what the U.S. wants," Yoo said. "I would hope that the Americans could move forward. Every conference on Korea always talks about the hope for reunification, but that cannot happen until the U.S. gets involved in direct talks with North Korea.

"His visit is timely in that he's trying to tell the administration, 'This is what the South Koreans are doing.' "

The visit also gives prominence to South Korea among Hawai'i residents, those closely involved in planning Roh's welcome and those merely watching from the side.

"It's a kind of a sense of pride," said legislator Luke. "It bodes well because we just had the 100th anniversary of the community, and for this to happen it keeps the community motivated."