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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, July 27, 2008

ELECTION '08
Obama event at Kahala Resort

By Derrick DePledge
Advertiser Government Writer

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Barack Obama

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A private fundraiser for U.S. Sen. Barack Obama's presidential campaign looks set for the evening of Aug. 12 at the Kahala Resort, not the Halekulani Hotel as was originally discussed by local organizers.

A fundraising e-mail circulating to potential donors yesterday includes an invitation that puts the event for the Illinois senator at the Kahala.

Andy Winer, an attorney and Democratic strategist and Obama's state director, confirmed the Kahala event.

Winer could not officially confirm an Obama visit, but he said an announcement by the national Obama campaign is expected soon. Local organizers are hoping for a public rally, at a location still being discussed, in addition to the private fundraiser.

Political Punch, a blog on the ABC News Web site, reported on a conversation yesterday between the Hawai'i-born Obama and Conservative Party leader David Cameron at Britain's Parliament.

An ABC News microphone picked up Cameron telling Obama: "You should be on the beach. You need a break. Well, you need to be able to keep your head together."

Cameron asked Obama whether he has had a break. "I have not," Obama said. "I am going to take a week in August."

Obama's potential trip to the Islands has been described as a vacation to see family and friends and recharge before the Democratic National Convention in Denver in late August. Obama's sister and grandmother live here and he has not been back since December 2006, largely because of his campaign schedule.

Tickets to the fundraising event at the Kahala, according to the invitation, are $2,300, or $10,000 for a VIP reception. Aloha attire is recommended.

The state's congressional delegation is described as the honorary co-chairs, with Mayor Mufi Hannemann and corporate executive Walter Dods listed as the fundraiser's co-chairs.

Reach Derrick DePledge at ddepledge@honoluluadvertiser.com.