ajfortin.com

By overwhelming numbers, with an over 3 to 1 margin, Hawaii Democrats embraced Obama yesterday in caucuses across the state as their choice for President. Despite the confusion, lack of ballots, long lines and hours of frustration, the desire to support “Barry” (his Hawaii Punahou high school name) was too strong and could not be denied. All of this in the face of significant support of Clinton by Hawaii’s beloved and long time political leader, Senator Dan Inouye and many of Hawaii’s strong unions.

As Obama’s “home state”, national pundits figured correctly that Hawaii would line up behind him. But here on the ground in Honolulu, all was not too clear about what would happen. That anxiety — that indifference may lead to a Clinton victory — probably fueled the extraordinary caucus turnout for Obama. In any event, the arcane and indecipherable caucus system was simply flattened by the rush. One big winner riding on the Obama victory was Congressman Neil Abercrombie a highly visible and vocal supporter of Obama.

All, in all, it was an amazing day, one that could change the political landscape not only in Washington, but in the islands as well.

Hunkering down in Honolulu and waiting to see if Hurricane Flossie expected in a few days gives us a run for our money. The reports are that it will weaken before it hits the islands. The skies outside are still blue and beautiful. Many years ago like my father before me, I became a licensed amateur radio guy so my trusty little hand-held radio sits nearby with charged batteries. I found that in the last major event we had (an earthquake) that took out electrical power, I knew what was going on long before the TV and radio stations got their act together by tuning in to other hams (amateur radio lingo) who were connected to the emergency response service system. And during Hurricane Iniki in 1992 which hit the island of Kauai very hard, amateur radio operators played a crucial role in reestablishing emergency communications. Despite the communications takeover by Internet and cell phones, amateur radio lives on and hams are there when you need them. One thing though — Hurricane Flossie? I can’t tell you how many ridiculous images that name has deployed in my imagination.