Hawai'i will celebrate the Jan. 20 presidential inauguration of native son Barack Obama with its own inaugural ball at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel featuring "island elegant" attire.

"Men should be wearing anywhere from their nicest aloha shirt to black tie," said Brian Schatz, the chairman of the Democratic Party of Hawai'i. "Women? I would never presume to tell women how to dress."

The Inaugural Gala for Barack Obama coincides with the official grand reopening of the Royal Hawaiian, the so-called "Pink Palace of the Pacific," which opened in 1927.

"We had not originally planned to do an event because most balls traditionally occur in Washington, D.C.," Schatz said. "But the demand locally for an opportunity to celebrate encouraged us to do something here. We think it's going to be so much fun that the people in Washington, D.C., might even get jealous."

Two hundred of the $250 tickets have been presold and organizers expect a crowd of 1,000, Schatz said. VIP tickets cost $1,000 and money for all tickets has to be received to confirm a reservation, Schatz said.

The event is a Democratic Party of Hawai'i fundraiser and only American citizens may contribute. Former Hawai'i governors George Ariyoshi, John Waihee and Ben Cayetano, and first ladies Jean Ariyoshi, Lynn Waihee and Vickie Cayetano are honorary co-chairs.

The Royal Hawaiian is offering $280 kama'aina rates for residents who want to stay at the hotel, including a breakfast for two at the Surf Lanai.

The event is also being marketed to visitors. A "Presidential Package" of $1,800 per couple includes four nights in a Garden View guest room, a bottle of pink champagne, and two tickets to the ball.

An upgraded package for "Royal Ocean Junior Suite" is priced at $2,760 per couple.