Democrats see wave
of new members
Before this year, Kristie Nakasato did not consider herself a political activist, and was not a member of a political party.
But after hearing the message of U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio -- the only presidential candidate to campaign in Hawaii -- Nakasato signed up as a card-carrying Democrat.
"Basically, I joined the party to vote in the (February) caucus because I wanted to vote for Kucinich and show support that way," said Nakasato, 28, of Moiliili. "That was the only way to do it."
She's not alone. Whether it's to support a candidate, an issue or just to vote against President Bush, Hawaii Democratic Party leaders say the 2004 political season is bringing in thousands of new members, infusing the party with a renewed energy and enthusiasm.
It's welcome news for Democrats, who have controlled state government and, until 2002, the Governor's Office, for more than 40 years.
Party leaders say the influx of new members -- roughly 4,000 since the beginning of the year -- has boosted enrollment to about 25,000 statewide.
"I met a lot of people who hadn't ever been involved in politics before," Nakasato said Saturday at the state Democratic Party convention, where she was working as a volunteer handing out literature and drumming up support for Kucinich.
Now that she's a member, the part-time teacher says she will continue to work for the betterment of the party, "as long as people like Kucinich are in the party -- who really have vision on where the country can go."
Veteran Democrats are thankful for the renewed interest in the party.
"It's a reactive phase, but I think it's a reactive phase that definitely needs to occur," said Donald Koelper, a 17-year party veteran and volunteer at state party headquarters. "People realize what's at stake here -- the future direction of our country."
Koelper, like others, says he believes people are joining the Democratic Party in droves as a reaction to the Republican Bush administration.
"As far as this presidency goes, it's not a matter of 'D' versus 'R' anymore, it's a matter of good government vs. bad government," Koelper said. "I think with people, there's a great sense of unease and that's what's fueling the surge in the party."
Koelper said he expects that feeling of unease to carry into the 2006 elections, when Republican Gov. Linda Lingle runs for a second term. Lingle has been one of the Bush administration's most ardent supporters.
"Her turn will come," Koelper said.
Meghan Chin, 19, acknowledges she doesn't follow politics "as closely as I should," but now that she's a registered Democrat, that's about to change. A University of Hawaii student, Chin said she's primarily interested in education issues.
Hawaii Democratic Party:
www.hawaiidemocrats.org