KOLOA, Kaua'i — At the Koloa Public Library at 5:45 p.m., there were just five people standing outside, wondering when "the officials" would arrive.

Within 10 minutes, the doors were open and volunteers were instructing a steady stream of people to sign blue cards to become Democratic Party members. Those not registered to vote were given voter registration cards to return to the voter registrar.

"Come back at 7 o'clock to vote in the presidential primary," Kaua'i Democratic Party Chairwoman Linda Estes told people as they handed in the forms.

Between 6 and 6:30 p.m., the crowd swelled to more than 75, with more coming. Many chose not to leave the library grounds while waiting for the presidential preference voting to begin at 7 p.m. They visited in clusters as the blue sky darkened, catching up with friends.

Jim and Joan Reid of Lawai are participating in their first caucus. It's also the first time they've registered as Democrats.

"We're both raised Republican and have always voted Republican," Joan Reid said. "But we like Obama. That's why we're doing it. I think he's brilliant and has leadership qualities," Joan Reid said.

"He gets people to come together," Jim Reid said.

The couple said they are confident that Obama, a number of years their junior, is mature enough to run the country.

"Where I come from, if you're not an officer in the company by the time you're 46, you're not going anywhere," Jim Reid said.

Independent voters Bill and Marina Brown also had never participated in a caucus.

"Barack Obama reminds us of how we felt about John F. Kennedy 45 years ago when we were in college," Marina Brown said.