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Powell’s address PHILADELPHIA -- Republicans at their national convention are showing a moderate and diverse face that Hawaii delegates hope even Democrats can vote for as retired Gen. Colin Powell called for more diversity and Laura Bush, the wife of candidate George W. Bush, pushed education reform.
leaves Hawaii
delegates uplifted
The retired general's call
An orchid lei from Hawaii
for diversity and improved
education is familiar to
Hawaii's contingentBy Craig Gima
Star-Bulletin
"I think Colin Powell gave the kind of speech that's really in tune with where Hawaii's people are," said Rep. Galen Fox (R, Waikiki), a Hawaii delegate. Fox and other moderate isle Republicans liked Powell's challenge to the party to recruit more minorities and his call to improve health care and education for children "that includes government as well as the private sector."
Tonight, Republicans will hear about Bush's foreign policy and defense policies from retired Gen. Norman Norman Schwarzkopf -- via satellite from the deck of the USS New Jersey, Condoleezza Rice, Bush's international affairs adviser, and Sen. John McCain, who will speak on the importance of military strength.
"When it comes to national defense issues, I think we're the stronger party," said alternate delegate Thomas White, a former Navy pilot.
Hawaii delegates got a preview of the speech from former presidential candidate and Senator Bob Dole at a breakfast meeting today. Dole will lead a salute to veterans tonight.
"Renewing the trust between the president and the military is very important," Dole told Hawaii delegates.
He said Bush would look closely at the controversial program to create a national missile defense system to protect the United States from attack.
"They (ballistic missiles) can reach L.A., which certainly means they can reach Hawaii one day," Dole said.
He also called for military pay raises and said it was a disgrace that some in the military have to go on food stamps to feed their families.
Dole also boosted the credentials of Bush's vice presidential choice, Dick Cheney, noting that he was Defense Secretary during the Persian Gulf war.
"This is my kind of message," said delegate Janice Pechauer.
Delegate Kate Zhou, a University of Hawaii political science professor who was born in China, said she is hoping to hear Republicans endorse a policy of engagement with China tonight and wants to hear about Bush's policy toward Taiwan.
Hawaii delegates were still enthused today from last night's program, which featured a prominent role for minorities, including a performance by a black gospel choir from South Philadelphia.
"Colin Powell emphasized unity and inclusiveness and bringing everyone together," said delegate Philip Hellreich, who noted that Bush was able to attract Hispanic voters in Texas to his campaign.
"He's my kind of Republican," said an energized state Party Chairwoman Linda Lingle. "He's the embodiment, really, of the American dream." Lingle liked Powell's challenge to live up to the mantle of being the party of Abraham Lincoln and to provide health care for children.
"Republicans have always believed in these things, they just haven't been able to articulate it," said Rep. David Pendleton (R, Maunawili).
Pendleton said Republicans believe that government can help improve education despite a platform position four years ago to dismantle the federal Department of Education. What Republicans believe, Pendleton said, is that there should be less federal control and more decisions on local levels.
Former Board of Education member Noemi Pendleton, a guest at the convention, said she liked what she heard on education.
Laura Bush, the nominee's wife, called for a $5 billion reading initiative to make sure every child learns to read at grade level by third grade. She cited a study that found education reforms in Texas resulted in some of the highest achievement gains in the country.
Powell told the delegates that as governor, Bush strengthened standardized testing, insisted on teacher competency and accountability and expanded charter schools.
Noemi Pendleton noted that Hawaii schools superintendent Paul LeMahieu and the Board of Education are already moving toward accountability, more charter schools and performance standards.
"I think we (the board) are aligned with Republicans because we don't want to lower standards," she said.
David Pendleton said the problem in Hawaii is that the system is not set up to move quickly to improve schools.
"You have to take baby steps," he said.
Zhou believes Bush has learned from President Clinton's victory eight years ago.
"He (Bush) is trying to move to the center," she said. Clinton was able to move to the center from left by pushing traditional Republican issues like the economy and defense, she said.
This time, Bush is claiming education from the Democrats and going after traditional Democratic constituencies such as minorities.
"He (Bush) stole the Democratic rhetoric," she said.
PHILADELPHIA -- Hawaii delegate Christopher Baron says one of his first political memories was meeting Barbara Bush. An orchid lei
from Hawaii for
Bush’s mom"I shook her hand as an eighth grader," Baron said.
Last night at the Republican National Convention, Baron and delegation member Kym Colon gave Bush an orchid lei, which she wore for most of the evening.
Baron said the Secret Service wouldn't let them give Bush the lei personally, so he threw it to Bush and she put it on and waved.
That wasn't Hawaii's only moment in the spotlight last night.
The delegation is seated just behind Texas', right in the center of the floor, and was often seen on television wearing their aloha attire and leis.
"It's the best seating we've ever had," said Hawaii Republican National Committeewoman Miriam Hellreich. "New York is behind us."
Hawaii delegates also cast their 14 votes for George W. Bush last night.
In her proclamation, delegation head, Rep. Barbara Marumoto, referred to Hawaii as the Aloha State because of the waves of immigrants that have come to the islands.
"Today, their children live together like a beautiful Hawaiian rainbow working to achieve the American dream."
Bush, Marumoto said, "understands the dreams and aspirations of immigrants and that's why he would make a great leader for our nation."
Craig Gima, Star-Bulletin