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President George W. Bush

Associated Press
George W. Bush takes the oath of office as the 43rd president
of the United States of America today from Chief Justice
William H. Rehnquist at the U.S. Capitol, while his
wife and twin daughters watch.

Isle residents in
D.C. get thrills—
and plenty chills

GOP Chairwoman Lingle hears
Bush's entire speech from the
back seat of a taxi

---

By Leila Fujimori
Star-Bulletin

Despite freezing temperatures and crowds, dozens of Hawaii residents thrilled to hear George W. Bush's inaugural speech in person.

"He talked about cutting taxes for the people, and we heard everybody stand up and cheer for that," said Aiea High School senior Lena Wong, who stood across a lake and watched Bush on a big-screen monitor and heard only bits of the speech because of poor sound reception.

But what the 17-year-old Bush supporter said she liked the most was what he said about abused and abandoned children, that it was not because God did something to them, but due to a lack of love. Wong spent grades 7 to 10 in Texas while Bush was governor and said he was a strong proponent of improving education.

By Ken Sakamoto, Star-Bulletin
About 80 people turned out this morning for a protest against
Bush's inauguration outside the federal building on Ala Moana.

Seeing Bush and his wife even topped seeing Ricky Martin perform at a pre-inauguration concert yesterday.

Wong joined fellow Hawaii students who saw government in action with the Close-Up Foundation.

GOP Chairwoman Linda Lingle ended up hearing the entire inaugural speech from the back seat of a taxi. After spending a couple of hours trying to get to her reserved seat, she was disappointed that security gates kept her from arriving on time.

So she headed back to her hotel in a taxi. The African-American driver from Detroit offered to let her hear the speech on the radio and discussed poverty in America.

"I think (Bush's) call upon all citizens (about) not passing anybody by if you see that the person's in trouble -- that's the spirit everyone should have," said Lingle, who describes herself as a social moderate.

Although Bush is more conservative than she is, she said she believes "there's not a phony bone in his body" and will be true to his word.

Newly elected state Rep. Kika Bukoski from Upcountry Maui said seeing the president being inaugurated was a once-in-a-lifetime event he made every effort not to miss.

Bukoski, who says he is from a very humble background and registered as a Republican in 1998, said he was struck by Bush's humility and ability to bring everyone together and found those qualities reflected in the ceremonies and speech.

Rep. David Pendleton, dressed in sweatshirt, jeans, heavy overcoat and a cap that covered his ears, marveled at Bush giving his speech in his suit and no overcoat.

"I was really impressed with the conciliatory and gracious remarks that President Bush made," Pendleton said. He said his words of furthering the progress and prosperity to those who were not so fortunate were inspiring.

Others were not so fortunate as to hear the speech. A hula halau from the Red Hill First Assembly of God was stuck in transit, but they awaited the inaugural parade and shouted with joy when the rain turned to snow.