Former President George W. Bush adviser Karl Rove urged Hawaii Republicans to not just “;surf on a wave of dissatisfaction,”; but to connect with the grass roots and voters.

Rove, in Waikiki last night for the Hawaii GOP's annual Lincoln Day Dinner, told reporters before his keynote speech that Hawaii could develop a strong Republican base. “;The people of Hawaii are basically conservative. It is state that has been basically center-right with strong family values. It makes it a natural fit for the Republicans,”; he said.

Rove predicted that Hawaii-born President Barack Obama would be “;a drag on the national Democratic ticket.”;

“;The president is going to be even more of a drag because he ran as relentless centrist and governs as relentless liberal,”; he said.

Besides the dinner last night at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, he plans to attend a $2,500-a-person breakfast today before flying back to Washington, D.C.

Also speaking last night was City Councilman Charles Djou, who is running for the 1st Congressional District seat being vacated tomorrow by Rep. Neil Abercrombie. Rove said Djou “;has a good shot”; at winning.

“;The House race is going to be an important race. Djou can win,”; Rove said.

Local state GOP Chairman Jonah Kaauwai called 2010 a “;fantastic year to be a Hawaii Republican.”;

“;First the Republican National Committee held its winter meeting here, and now one of our generation's premier Republican strategists joined us,”; he said.

Kaauwai declined to say how much was raised. Security officials estimated the crowd at 800. Tickets were priced at $150 and up.