Hawaii, very very Obama

Hawaii voted overwhelmingly for native son Barack Obama, giving him four electoral votes toward his victory.  71.8% of voters cast 298,621 votes for Obama and 26.6% of voters cast 110,848 votes for John McCain.  1.5% of voters cast 6,526 votes for other candidates.  Hawaii's voter turnout was only 65.9% this election, less than the 67% who voted in the 2004 election when Hawaii had the lowest turnout in the country.

Turnout by island:

• Big Island: 67.7 percent, or 67,243 of the 99,337 registered voters cast their ballots.

• Maui County: 61.1 percent, or 52,035 of the 85,197 registered voters cast their ballots.

• Kauai: 68.2 percent, or 27,487 of the 40,323 registered voters made it to the polls.

• Oahu: 66 percent, or 308,061, of the 466,499 registered voters cast their ballots.

Hawaii's Republican party suffered losses Tuesday night.  They went from 11 to just eight seats in the 76-seat state legislature.  Republican's failed to even produce candidates for 20 legislative races, on top of Obama's immense local popularity.  The GOP did not dislodge any incumbent Democrats.

Obama has planned another trip to Hawaii in December to honor his grandmother who passed away during the final days of his campaign.  Tickets to the Hawaii State Society's presidential inaugural ball are also on sale and selling out quickly.  Hawaiians are undoubtedly proud of the Democratic candidate, who is not only the first Black president but also the first Hawaiian.

One day to go - Hawaii will vote Obama

With one day to go, Hawaii will vote for its own celebrity frontrunner, Democratic candidate Barack Obama.

Hawaii has a history of voting Democratic, and the state has a personal connection to the candidate.  Hawaii has also felt the pressure from the poor economy and sees hope in Obama's plans for America's future.  There are actually speculations that Obama's trips to Hawaii to visit his grandmother could help tourism there.  Democratic Senator Daniel Inouye has been voicing support for Republican Senator Ted Stevens, claiming injustice in his conviction and saying that he will keep his Senate seat.  However, this is not expected to turn the Hawaii election for McCain.

Democrats in Hawaii are planning celebration parties for Obama's expected victory.