A lot of Hawai'i's Democrats, unaccustomed as they are to voting in a presidential party caucus, are feeling justifiably upset about the way party politics are playing out. But instead of rallying as they should to change the way candidates are chosen, they're up in arms about a rule set in place long ago.

That rule is: Hawai'i's party gets to choose 29 delegates in the Democratic National Convention to finally name its candidate, but only 20 of those votes are committed according to caucus votes.

The other nine are "superdelegates" — local party leaders who get to vote however they choose. What's got the rank-and-file riled is that these superdelegates have said they may not pledge their votes in the same proportion as was seen in the hugely attended caucuses on Feb. 19.

That ratio was roughly three votes for Barack Obama to every one cast for Hillary Clinton. Although the party is now conducting a recount of the votes cast, the basic outcome is unlikely to change: Obama will get 14 of 20 delegates, leaving six for Clinton.

But party leaders have said the superdelegates may break for Clinton, which could give the New York senator 15 of Hawai'i's votes, a razor-thin lead, but a lead nonetheless.

Critics cry foul, for obvious reasons. In a state where a whopping voter turnout has become a sadly rare event, it would be frustrating to see the popular will overcome.

But like it or not, the caucus was set up to give party leaders discretion to vote as their more extensive political experience would guide them. Rather than beat up party leaders about the system, Hawai'i's Democrats should focus their energy on changing the system. Isle Republicans, whose nomination process is even more arcane, should do the same.

In 2005, the Commission on Federal Election Reform proposed a more orderly system of four regional primaries: groupings of states casting ballots on successive dates. There would be no superdelegates. Congress needs to take a serious look at the idea before the 2012 campaign season.

In an era when voters can more easily inform themselves about candidates, the idea of scattered state caucuses is outdated. Hawai'i residents — all Americans — should be choosing presidential candidates in a way that's more rational and fair.