KEN IGE / KIGE@STARBULLETIN.COM
Clinton spoke effusively at Blaisdell Arena yesterday at an event dubbed "A Tribute to Patsy," recognizing the accomplishments of the late U.S. Rep. Patsy Mink. Unions sponsoring the event presented Mink's husband, John, with a $25,000 check for the Patsy Mink Foundation.
Clinton regales Former President Bill Clinton, the politician and celebrity, took on the additional role as storyteller yesterday as thousands cheered, applauded and turned out to see him during a whirlwind tour of four islands.
crowds on political
whirlwind tour
By Crystal Kua
ckua@starbulletin.com
He came to Hawaii to stump for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono.
"You think of your own stories and ask yourself if that's not why you came here today. And if it is, don't you miss a single solitary chance between now and election day to stop somebody, look 'em dead in the eye and tell them what this is really all about," he told the crowd that filled nearly half of the Blaisdell arena last night.
"Tell them that the tougher the times are, the more important it is to have a strong, able, committed human being leading this state. ... I have no doubt that she will be the best governor of Hawaii ever."
Preaching to the faithful, Clinton did not take direct shots at Hirono's Republican opponent, Linda Lingle, but his stories centered on why the policies of Democrats are better for the state -- and the country.
"The further I get away from the White House, the more I can see the big picture and see just how profound are the differences in the dawn of the 21st century between the two major parties," Clinton said. "They're more profound than they have been in a long time, largely because the national Republican Party has moved so far to the right."
As an example, Clinton pointed to when "the Republicans got back in, their most important achievement is, I left a $5.7 trillion projected surplus, and it's gone. It's hard to get rid of that much money."
After the Oahu rally, Hirono said that she believes Clinton's visit will help spur momentum in the campaign.
KEN IGE / KIGE@STARBULLETIN.COM
Clinton and a beaming Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono shook hands with the crowd as they left the arena.
The rallies on Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island were sponsored by several labor organizations spearheaded by the Hawaii Government Employees Association.
After the Big Island, Clinton went on a private jet that will take him to Oregon, Arizona and Michigan.
These events were not only a political rally in support of Hirono and her running mate, state Sen. Matt Matsunaga, the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor, but also were intended to pay tribute to the late U.S. Rep. Patsy Mink.
The unions presented Mink's husband John a $25,000 check for the Patsy Mink Foundation.
Clinton originally was scheduled for the Oahu rally on Tuesday, but he delayed his arrival by a day so that he could attend the memorial service for U.S. Sen. Paul Wellstone of Minnesota, who died Friday in a plane crash.
Yesterday was an opportunity for Clinton to eulogize both Mink and Wellstone.
On Maui, Clinton -- who is famous for his impromptu snacking -- made a special stop to have a two-scoop mix of pineapple and strawberry ice cream at Tasaka Guri Guri Shop in Kahului.
"He's the most famous person ever to be here," said Cindy Tasaka-Ing, whose great-grandfather Jokichi Tasaka founded the business close to 90 years ago.
More than 1,200 people listened to Clinton at Baldwin High School Auditorium.
On Kauai the party faithful (along with quite a few curious Republicans) jammed the Kauai Veterans Center to hear Clinton's down-home, upbeat message. The cheering crowd numbered about 800.
Much of Clinton's appeal had more to do with star power than politics.
As Clinton worked the crowds and shook hands like he was still running for office, the song "All Star" by the rock group Smash Mouth played in the background.
When people had a kind word for him, he replied, "God bless you."
"I'm not washing my hands," giggled Tala Suafai, a 50-year-old state employee, after shaking Clinton's hand at the Blaisdell arena. "It was a thrill."
Suafai said that she believes that Clinton's visit will make a difference for the Democratic candidates. "Bill, he was charismatic. The whole thing was very touching."
Capsun Poe, a nonprofit employee and student member of the UH Board of Regents, also shook the ex-president's hand.
"He's been my hero ever since he first ran in '92," Poe said. "The rally was great evidence that he can still rally a big crowd together and motivate people, everyday people."
On Kauai a woman who placed a lei around Clinton's neck said, "He's really good-looking."
Another told her girlfriend, "Well, pinch me," as they left after Clinton's speech. "He was really here, and we were really here to see him."
On Maui, Rowena Dagdag, who also shook Clinton's hand, said she works as a special-education teacher at Wailuku Elementary School and agreed with his remarks about continuing the legacy of supporting equal opportunity.
Star-Bulletin reporters Gary T. Kubota
and Anthony Sommer contributed to this story.
