My home state of Hawaii is as blue as the Pacific Ocean. By that, I mean that the Democratic Party fares incredibly well here. In addition to the state’s already strong support for the Democrats, there is also the encouraging fact that President Obama was born and raised in Hawaii. However, Hawaii still has its share of card-carrying Republicans, and just yesterday, they were able to express their views in Hawaii’s Republican caucuses.
This is the first time that Hawaii is holding a Republican caucus, and although the Republican presidential candidates weren’t able to make personal appearances in Hawaii, their family members did come here to campaign before the caucuses. Mitt Romney sent out his son Matt, Ron Paul sent out his son Ronnie, and Rick Santorum sent out his daughter Elizabeth (no relative was present from the Gingrich campaign). Each family member has been working to help win the majority of the 17 delegates from Hawaii for their respective candidates.
See this video segment from Hawaii news station KITV4 on the Republican caucuses:http://www.kitv.com/video/30664694/detail.html
Overall, I’ve found the Republican caucuses in Hawaii to be an interesting experience. Up until this point, I have enjoyed following the news about the Republican caucuses in other states, but no matter what, I felt a sense of distance between myself and the elections. The Hawaii caucuses have allowed me to get a more personal sense of the presidential candidate nomination process. Although Hawaii may be a small state, its residents (myself included) are just as interested in the political process as those of larger states, and I think it’s great for Hawaii to create more opportunities for its residents to participate in politics. In the end, these opportunities will allow Hawaii residents of all political parties to learn more about the American democratic process.
———
Sources:
- http://www.kitv.com/slideshow/politics/30673656/detail.html (Photos)
- http://www.kitv.com/politics/30664551/detail.html
- http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/03/13/hawaii-republicans-to-vote-in-first-ever-gop-caucuses/
- http://www.gophawaii.com/
OSG's AP Government & Politics 
William Chamberlain (@wmchamberlain)
March 14, 2012 at 2:38 pm
Do you feel insulted that the candidates didn’t bother to show up? I would be peeved if that had happened in my state.
mklstudent
March 14, 2012 at 4:57 pm
Hi William!
Thanks for your reply! I would have found it interesting if the candidates actually did visit Hawaii before the caucuses. However, compared to four years ago, when Hawaii didn’t have Republican caucuses at all, I feel that having some form of representation from the presidential candidates was a positive step in the right direction.
Thanks again!
-Melissa
Laura Gilchrist (@Gil2point0)
March 14, 2012 at 2:45 pm
I didn’t know this was going on in Hawaii right now, so I’m glad I read this! Thanks for sharing the facts and your viewpoint so clearly and positively. I enjoyed reading this and seeing the video. Your blogging post gives me ideas for my students! I teach 6th grade Science. Keep blogging!!
mklstudent
March 14, 2012 at 4:40 pm
Hi Ms. Gilchrist!
Thanks so much for your response! I’m so glad this blog post helped to give you ideas to use with your students. Best wishes for you and your science class!
-Melissa
LeeAnn
March 14, 2012 at 2:48 pm
I love to hear students who are interested in the democratic process. Your writing is very well organized and I loved your beginning–comparing the blue of the ocean to the “blue” of the Democratic party. And I have no idea who you would vote for. That objective viewpoint would suit you well if you choose a career in journalism. 🙂
~LeeAnn (@heyleeann)
mklstudent
March 14, 2012 at 4:45 pm
Hi LeeAnn!
Thanks so much for your reply! I’m actually taking a journalism course right now, so thanks for your encouraging feedback on my writing.
-Melissa
Tyler
March 14, 2012 at 2:54 pm
What a great post!! Well done. If you were to change one thing about the Caucus what would it be?
Again, great work!!
mklstudent
March 14, 2012 at 4:53 pm
Hi Tyler!
Thanks for your response! To answer your question, I don’t think I’d change anything about the caucus procedure in general. However, as I’ve stated in my post, I do feel that having the Republican caucuses come to Hawaii for the first time was a positive step to encourage more political involvement in Hawaii.
Thanks again!
-Melissa
Tyler
March 15, 2012 at 10:46 am
Makes sense. And yes, having it for the first time is pretty cool.
Sam
March 15, 2012 at 5:09 am
very interesting! has Obama ever made any appearances in Hawaii as a president and how is he percieved in hawaii since he was born there?
mklstudent
March 15, 2012 at 11:37 am
Hi Sam!
Thanks for your response! To answer your question, Obama has made several appearances in Hawaii. He visited Honolulu towards the end of 2011 as part of the APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) conference, and he also spends his winter vacations here every year. The fact that Obama was born and raised in Hawaii is a contributing factor towards his popularity here.
Thanks again!
-Melissa
Heather Nadolny (@hnadolny)
March 15, 2012 at 10:05 am
Hi Melissa,
Job well done- I’m sure it was very exciting to have all this happening around you, as opposed to just on a news network. It’s interesting how networks consider certain states to be a “lock” for one party or the other, especially since, as this video shows, political opinions differ everywhere.
I wonder if the actual candidates will come to Hawaii to campaign in the near future? Or for the next election?
As someone who studied journalism, I also appreciated seeing a local Hawaii news station! Thank you. 🙂
mklstudent
March 15, 2012 at 11:48 am
Hi Ms. Nadolny!
Thanks so much for your reply! I’m glad that you enjoyed watching the video clip from KITV4. I am actually studying journalism right now–do you have any advice? 🙂 I really do hope that the actual candidates will come to Hawaii to campaign. That would be a great experience!
Thanks again!
-Melissa