FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM Retired Navy Capt. Jerry Coffee, left, and retired Adm. Ron Hays attended a presidential campaign kickoff for Republican U.S. Sen. John McCain yesterday at the Naval Air Museum Barbers Point. Coffee was a prisoner of war with McCain in Vietnam.

McCain backers start isle effort

A fundraiser draws scores, including one person "not impressed" by the Democratic field

Supporters of U.S. Sen. John McCain's presidential bid kicked off the Arizona senator's campaign in Hawaii yesterday afternoon at Barbers Point's Naval Air Museum.

Hawaii campaign co-chairman state Rep. Gene Ward (R, Kalama Valley-Hawaii Kai) thinks military veterans could make the difference for Republican McCain in this heavily Democratic state.

Ward also cited McCain's experience.

"As the examination gets closer, he's going to look all the better, and the others ... they're going to look the worse," he said.

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FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM Retired Navy Adm. Lloyd "Joe" Vasey, left, retired Army Gen. Herbert Wolff and Uncle Sam (Darrell Large) led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance yesterday during a rally to kick off the Hawaii presidential campaign of U.S. Sen. John McCain at the Naval Air Museum Barbers Point.

Austin Pahia showed up at a fundraiser for Republican U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona in Kalaeloa yesterday, hoping to learn more about his choices before backing a candidate for president.

"We're seeking knowledge to figure out which one (candidate) we should go with," said Pahia, a 28-year-old Mililani resident and merchant mariner. "I know I got to get involved."

More than 70 people gave a donation of at least $25 to attend the Hawaii McCain Campaign kickoff and fundraiser yesterday at the Naval Air Museum Barbers Point.

"We're celebrating freedom," said Rep. Gene Ward (R, Kalama Valley-Hawaii Kai), co-chairman of the McCain campaign in Hawaii. "As a man who was freed 35 years ago, we think he deserves to be head of the free world."

McCain, a former Navy pilot, spent 5 1/2 years in a prisoner of war camp in Vietnam.

Several veterans in attendance praised McCain's experience in the Navy and said he would be able to ensure national security.

Herman Gaines, 32, of Makakilo said he supports McCain because the Democratic candidates seem "immature."

"They're going back at it, back and forth," he said. "With our country being in the midst of war, he'd be able to lead us and make sure the safety of America is there."

Mark Giblin, an Airborne Special Forces veteran, broke his back in three places during a practice jump in Germany. Today he uses a powered cart to move around and, concerned about veterans' benefits, believes McCain would understand him most.

"He's supportive of getting veterans what we need," said Giblin, an Ewa Beach resident. "For the last 16 years, it has not happened."

Army veteran Kelly Au, a resident of U.S. Vets housing in Kalaeloa, said she is a member of the Democratic Party but has been disappointed with the party's candidates.

"I'm not impressed," she said. "It's getting to be a high school rally."

Retired Navy Rear Adm. Lloyd "Joe" Vasey, who served with McCain's father in World War II, said McCain would put the needs of the country above politics and secure the country at a time when there are more threats from other nations.

He recalled knowing McCain when he was still a young boy.

"He's a straight shooter," he said. "He's what the country needs right now."