State parties will publish their delegate selection rules and clearly explain how to participate in the summer of 2007.

Hawaii Democratic Party
1314 S. King Street, Ste. G-4
Honolulu, HI 96813
808-596-2980
808-596-2985 (fax)

District-Level Delegates: 13
At-Large Delegates: 4
Pledged Party Leader & Elected Official (PLEO) Delegates: 3
Unpledged Delegates: 9
TOTAL Number of Delegates: 29

Alternates: 4

TOTAL DELEGATION SIZE: 33

System type: Caucus

State convention page: Available
State plan: Model plan available
State filing form: Not available online. Please contact the state party to receive a copy.

** This information is prepared by the DNC's Office of Party Affairs and Delegate Selection and may be subject to change. For more information, please call 202-863-8000.

The American people want a new direction in Iraq. Post-election polls showed that 37 percent of Americans said "the war in Iraq should be at the top of the congressional agenda during the next two years," more than 22 points higher than the second ranked issue. [AP, 11/15/06] When the new Congress convenes next year, Democrats will work to implement a comprehensive strategy for Iraq that includes:

• a phased redeployment of our troops and, for troops remaining in Iraq, a refocusing of their mission on counter-terrorism, training, logistics and force protection;
  
• placing real pressure on the Iraqi leadership to reach a sustainable political settlement that resolves critical issues of federalism, oil revenue sharing, combating militias, and achieving a fair power sharing arrangement;
  
• calling on the Bush Administration to convene an international conference and develop a regional strategy to support a political settlement in Iraq and to preserve Iraq's sovereignty; and
  
• laying out real benchmarks for the Iraqi government to make clear that Iraqis need to take responsibility for the future of their country.

"Voters in Hawaii and across the country sent a clear message rejecting the Bush Administration's permanent commitment to a failed strategy in Iraq," said Democratic National Committee spokesman Damien LaVera. "Democrats are united behind a tough and smart plan to change course in Iraq. At every critical juncture in Iraq, Democrats have offered detailed, constructive criticism and a way forward. Now that the election is over, it is time for President Bush and the Republicans in Washington to listen to the American people and join Democrats in offering a new direction in Iraq."

"Democrats in Hawai'i have the honor of closing out our nation’s exciting primary season, one that showed the Democratic Party to be united, energized and committed to providing a new direction for America that puts the interests of working families first. All across America, we have seen record turnout, strong Democratic candidates, and a profound commitment among the American people to restoring America's sense of community.

"Last night's primary victory by Senator Daniel Akaka is a resounding endorsement of the strong Democratic leadership that Senator Akaka has provided the Hawaiian people for more than three decades. As a true champion for all Hawaiians and a steadfast critic of the Bush Administration's failed leadership and misplaced priorities, Senator Akaka has been an example of the kind of strong, positive leadership offered by Democrats across the country.

"Today, I thank Congressman Case for his service on behalf of the people of Hawai'i. While his the vision and leadership will be missed, we all appreciate the contributions he made to the democratic process in Hawai'i and look forward to working together as a united Democratic party to ensure that Hawai'i continues to have an all-Democratic Congressional delegation. Together, we are going to reelect Congressman Abercrombie and elect former Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono as Hawai'i's next member of Congress, and make Randy Iwase Hawai'i's next governor."

"We wanted to bring all the candidates together to speak in one place," Progressive Democrats Co-chairwoman Rachel Orange said in a news release. "But with 10 candidates, it was unmanageable under a traditional format."

Using the speed dating concept, candidates rotate between small groups of 9 to 12 people and are allotted 10 minutes to field questions. The process is completed once each candidate has talked to every group.

"I usually don't talk politics on a first date, but I'll make an exception in this case," said [one candidate]

To listen to the audio, click here.

Good morning. This is Senator Daniel Akaka, United States Senator from Hawaii.

On Monday, our nation observes a sacred holiday-Memorial Day. It's the day America pays tribute to the men and women who gave their lives in service.

As a veteran of World War II, Memorial Day holds special meaning for me. Like veterans of all wars, I have vivid memories of those who served but did not come back.

In America, we pay a heavy price for freedom, something the people of
Hawaii were reminded of again last week.

Three more of our brave Kaneohe Bay Marines died in Iraq. The 3rd
battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment has now lost eleven Marines since it
deployed in March. My prayers go out to their families, as well as to
all those who have lost loved ones fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.

But this Memorial Day, we remember the cost of America's freedom is not only measured in the lives we have lost. It is also measured in how we take care of those who've served and are serving today.

As the highest ranking Democrat on the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, taking care of America's troops and veterans is my top priority.

That is why I was shocked to learn the Department of Veterans Affairs
not only allowed the names, Social Security numbers, and addresses of 26 million Veterans to fall into criminal hands-but then waited weeks to report the theft.

Such recklessness must not be tolerated. The Administration needs to
get a handle on this situation immediately, assist victims in obtaining free credit reports and monitoring, and make sure they are protected from financial or other harm.

America's veterans gave us their best in service; we must always give
them ours.

Earlier this month, I was proud my amendment to increase funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs by $430 million was adopted in the
Senate. It includes much needed money for new Vet Centers, for Veterans Hospitals, and mental health care.

Health care for America's heroes is not the place to cut corners, which is why I have always been against imposing burdensome enrollment fees and increasing the co-pays for those in the VA system. We need mandatory funding for veterans health care, not mandated fees imposed on veterans who need care.

In good times and bad, our nation's commitment to those who wear the
uniform must never waver. From the day recruits join the military - through their years of service - to the day they leave this Earth, America has promises to keep.

To give them the best equipment, body armor, training and support they
need.

To never send them into battle without a strategy to succeed.

To give them the care they require when they come home.

And to take care of the survivors of those who die in service or from
conditions attributed to their service.

These are promises the United States government kept with my generation after World War II, and they are promises Democrats are fighting to ensure are kept today.

I'm Senator Daniel Akaka from Hawaii. Thank you for listening.

Iwase said he was running to help education, bring about “great energy self-sufficiency, better wages for workers and the development of affordable housing.” He made his announcement at Kaimuki High School, his alma mater.

The announcement drew the immediate support of fellow Democratic U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie, who briefly considered a run for governor but decided against it. Abercrombie said he would now support Iwase’s campaign.

This week, the state of Hawaii became the first state in the nation to cap wholesale gas prices, and USA Today reported that rising gas prices have forced state and local governments to consider laying off workers, raising local taxes and cutting back on essential services. [Reuters, 8/25/05; USA Today, 8/24/05]

"President Bush has sat on his hands as ordinary Americans and their communities have been blindsided by skyrocketing gas prices," said Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean. "While oil companies have enjoyed record profits, President Bush's lack of leadership has allowed the gas price crisis to spiral out of control, leaving painful decisions to state and local governments. It is time for President Bush and the Republicans in Washington to put the pedal to the metal and steer us toward a sound strategy for reducing gas prices."

http://www.hawaiidemocrats.org/

Chair: Michael McCartney
Vice Chair: Beverly Jean Withington
Executive Director: Florence Kong Kee

The Democratic Party is committed to winning elections at every level in every region of the country, and we're getting started right now with a massive effort to fund organizers on the ground in every state.

The ultimate goal? An active, effective group of Democrats organized in every single precinct in the country. Here's what we're doing to get there:

1. The Democratic Party is hiring organizers chosen by the state parties in every state -- experienced local activists who know their communities.
2. We bring those organizers together for summits where they can learn from each other the best practices for getting organized to win elections.
3. Armed with the knowledge they've shared with each other, Democratic organizers return to the states and recruit and train leaders at the local level.
4. Those local leaders recruit more leaders and volunteers until every single precinct in their area has a trained, effective organization of Democrats dedicated to winning votes for Democrats.

Success Stories

We're going to win by putting people on the ground to organize right now -- today. So the Democratic Party has identified the first few rounds of states to get this program started.

A 50 State Strategy Success Story: North Carolina

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A 50 State Strategy Success Story: West Virginia

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