Hawai'i veterans who support U.S. Sen. John McCain say they are unfazed by the attention U.S. Sen. Barack Obama has received on his trip to Hawai'i this week and are campaigning "as usual" for the Republican presidential candidate.

About 60 people who call themselves Hawai'i Veterans for McCain gathered yesterday for the group's inaugural get-together at Hawai'i Republican Party headquarters. They were joined by Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona, state lawmakers and Jerry Coffee, McCain's campaign chairman in Hawai'i.

Local McCain supporters also are launching a public service-oriented Kokua Campaign this week that Coffee said echoes the presidential candidate's 44-year commitment to government and military service.

Volunteers have been asked to wear old clothes and work gloves to remove trash at Kapakahi Stream in Waipahu this morning. Future projects will involve similar service activities.

Coffee, who like McCain was a Navy pilot and a prisoner of war in North Vietnam, said experience remains for him the most compelling reason to back McCain, and that the recent conflict between Russia and Georgia demonstrates a need for someone with "life experience."

The presidential contender had sharply criticized Russia's attacks on Georgia this week and called for a re-evaluation of U.S. relations with Moscow.

"He understands that there are people in this world who really mean to harm us and who only respond to force, whether economic or military," Coffee said.

Others in the room echoed that sentiment.

"We feel there are perilous times ahead," said Darrell Large, chairman of Hawai'i Veterans for McCain. "After what's happened in the last week, I think people will realize that John McCain is the most experienced to deal with national affairs and national security."

"John is an extremely strong person," said Jim Hickerson, 74, who was a prisoner of war at the same time as McCain, at the same prison camp, dubbed "Hanoi Hilton" by POWs.

"His main attribute is his patriotism, his loyalty to his country," Hickerson said. "He's going to put his country first."

Coffee said Obama's visit to Hawai'i could be an opportunity for residents looking more closely at the presidential race.

"It gives voters a chance to look at the two candidates and be more discerning about the contrast between the two," he said.