Thursday, August 14, 2008

Shave ice secured, Obama heads back to the Mainland

Obama made a campaign promise, err, told the local folks that he was going to get some shave ice while here. He made it, just in time. Tons of folks caught him and his family getting some of the cold, sweet treat in Lanikai yesterday. Since his fundraiser on Tuesday night, he’s also gone local by picnicking at Ala Moana Beach Park, golfing on the Windward side, and visiting his grandfather’s gravesite at Punchbowl Cemetery. Vacation itinerary: check, check, check. He leaves tomorrow and turns his attention to picking a VP (assuming he hasn’t already) and the Democratic National Convention later in the month.

Noel won’t be there. It was a thought early on that it would be fun to go, but the idea soured on him quickly. Turns out going into the Hawaii Democratic Convention in late May that there were only three spots available. And if you wanted to go, you campaigned. For real. He started receiving postcards and flyers in the mail from serious candidates in the weeks leading to the convention. Then the phone calls came! Yes, folks called Noel to ask for his vote. I was floored. And to top it off, wannabe attendees hosted Convention goers in separate hotel rooms at the Hilton Hawaiian Village where the Convention was held, stocking the room with catered food and drink. Eager convention attendees crowded the elevators and one got stuck for an hour. No kidding. Noel saw that it was too crowded and backed away, only to hear a short time later the bells go off signaling it was stuck in the elevator shaft somewhere.
Overall the politicking and ridiculousness of some attendees got under Noel’s skin too much. This may be his first and last brush with politics. I’m not saying that’s all bad.

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