The recent release of "Rock Obama (Mahalo America)," an urban/hip-hop/rap dance anthem is enjoying a growing presence on the Web and in Obama city, Japan, where the Hawai'i native and presidential candidate Barack Obama has reportedly embraced as an idol of sorts.

The CD single, co-written by and performed by former Island resident Scott Katsura, has all the elements of a club dance ditty with a repetitious but catchy refrain, "Barack Obama-bama, rock Obama-bama, rock Obama-bama, Barack Obama."

A YouTube video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=El-0bgCV8aU ) features our native son prancing in front of a podium, with wife Michelle also very mobile. Oprah Winfrey appears briefly; and singer-composer Katsura pumps out the tune while driving a car.

A Hawaii Music Award winner who is Manhattan-based, Katsura drops a few Hawaiian words (a hui ho, which means until we meet again, plus the obvious thank you) and places (Honolulu, Kona) to add a local vibe.