They'll be listening on car radios as they head to work, in classrooms when they get to school, at coordinated viewing parties in eateries or last-minute affairs in living rooms.

Across the state Tuesday morning, thousands of Hawai'i residents will tune in to hear the first black president of the United States — none other than a native son -take the oath of office and address the nation.

Some say they're getting up — early perhaps — to catch the inauguration because they want to watch history unfold. Others say, despite the five-hour time difference, watching it live in the birthplace of the president is the next best thing to seeing it in person.

"Often, Hawai'i feels left out of elections," said Bart Wilson, an American government teacher at St. Francis School in Manoa. But this year, he said, Hawai'i residents feel a special connection to the president.

And, he added, young people especially find his story inspiring.

"These kids really feel a strong tie to Barack Obama. They feel that they have the potential to come out of this island and actually become the president," Wilson said of his students, who will be given the option of watching the inaugural address live at the school before classes start.

"We're trying to put it on a big screen," Wilson said.

The inauguration day festivities will kick off about 5 a.m. Hawai'i time (around 10 a.m. Eastern Standard Time), with Obama set to take the oath of office by 7 a.m. in Hawai'i (noon in Washington, D.C.).

The time difference is a hassle. But Hawai'i residents, many of whom were Obama supporters long before he was a front-runner, aren't letting it bother them.

Scores are expected to gather at early-morning viewing parties.

Schools are incorporating the inauguration into their lesson plans.

WATCH IT LIVE

Obama supporters in the Islands plan at least two live viewing parties for the inauguration. One at Don Ho's Island Grill in Aloha Tower Marketplace will likely draw about 180 people, while at least 75 people are expected to come out for a "inaugural breakfast" at the Plaza Club.

Not all Obama supporters, though, have the luxury of getting to a viewing party or showing up a little late for work so they can catch it.

"The timing is a little tough," said Scott Yoshino, a teacher at the Apple store at Kahala Mall, while eating lunch outside the mall with co-workers last week. He added he'll likely be going to work from Mililani about the time of the inauguration, which he'll listen to on the radio.

Daniel Bow, 72, of Hawai'i Kai said he doesn't need to see the inauguration live. He plans to sleep in, he said, and watch a recorded version later. "We're proud that he's from the Islands," Bow said.

But getting up early for the speech? Just not worth it.

"They'll have it on in the evening," he said.

Ed Auld, a retired businessman from Kane'ohe, couldn't disagree more. He organized the breakfast at Don Ho's Island Grill so that people could gather and "enjoy the moment." The 68-year-old got the idea to hold the party when he saw Obama address an ecstatic crowd at Chicago's Grant Park after being announced the winner.

Of the viewing party, Auld said, "It's really just a fun thing" and meant to mark the landmark event with no small amount of good food, laughter and camaraderie. So far, Auld has sold 120 tickets at $30 a head.

He's got about 60 tickets left.

NIGHTTIME FESTIVITIES

Renee Greenwood, a member of the NAACP in Hawai'i and an organizer for the Plaza Club event, said she wants a "diverse gathering" to come out for the event to watch Obama's inaugural speech together.

Greenwood said she expects Obama's inaugural address to be optimistic, but also realistic about the challenges the nation faces. "I think everyone is looking for hopeful insight," she said.

For some, the real inaugural festivities will start at night.

The Democratic Party of Hawai'i is selling tickets for its inaugural gala at The Royal Hawaiian hotel for $250 per person. Less pricey parties are being held at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i, Kings Pub at Hawaiian Monarch Hotel and in more than a few homes and backyards.

Kane'ohe residents Brady and Aubrey Yee are opening up their expansive backyard to 120 guests -and counting -for a "black tie and board shorts inaugural ball." Aubrey Yee said the gathering is designed to be a "real community celebration" in honor of the new president.

The party will include a screening of Obama's inaugural address. "We're all so excited about the new president É and his outlook," Yee said. "The fact that he's from Hawai'i just adds a little something."