Sally Parker, event co-chairwoman, said she organized the festivities after seeing Bush's Web site encouraging people to get together as they watched him accept his party's nomination for a second term.

"We decided let's go for it and let's have a great spirit, have a fun time and really share in the enthusiasm of George Bush and his message," Parker said. "The big thing is to say, 'Thank you, George Bush, we feel like we're all winners because we've had four wonderful years and we want four more.' "

Those who attended last night's event applauded and cheered frequently during the taped showing of Bush's speech.

Buck Welch, 59, an architect from Punchbowl, said Bush "hit a home run with his speech.

"He touched on many, many things that are important to the average American, and he contrasted his position against Senator (John) Kerry's very well," he said. "I think it will be a close race, but I feel he will be able to serve us four more years."

Anne Beidleman, a 57-year-old retired swim coach from Diamond Head, attended the event because she wanted "to take an active part in electing the right man for president."

"I love his family values and I always have. I love his vision and suremindedness," she said.

Kirk Christman, a 45-year-old insurance executive from Niu Valley, said Bush's speech was "inspirational" and praised his "clear vision (and) his candor."

"Slam dunk," added his wife, 44-year-old Carrie Christman, a personal trainer. "He's been faced with tough decisions and he's stood by them."

But while Republicans celebrated, about 90 people lined the sidewalk in front of Ward Centre protesting the Bush administration and the war in Iraq.

Among them was Carolyn Hadfield, an organizer with Not in Our Name Hawai'i. She said she is against the Bush administration in general, but that the recent arrests of protesters — including four people from Hawai'i — outside the national convention in New York City gave yesterday's demonstration added importance.

"It's part of the continued series of attacks on civil liberties, and for (Republicans) to be talking about four more years and compassion and all of these kinds of things is outrageous," Hadfield said.

Vickie Ramirez, a 28-year-old graduate student from Makiki, held a sign reading, "Neither compassionate nor conservative."

In New York, as Bush accepted the nomination, Hawai'i delegates to the convention praised him for his first four years.

"Most Republicans feel like it would be a disastrous occurrence for anyone other than George Bush to be elected. He stands up for his beliefs, he's going to defend America," said Miriam Hellreich of Kailua.