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Ho'omaika'i Iā 'oe, e Pelekikena Obama!

20 'Ianuali 2009

From Washington, D.C., to Waikīkī, Americans toasted the inauguration of the 44th president of the United States, Barack Obama, who was born in Hawai'i and graduated from Punahou School. In Waikīkī at the Aloha Inaugural Ball at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, former governors and their first ladies: Ben and Vicky Cayetano, John Waihe'e III and Lynne Waihe'e, Jean and George Ariyoshi, and Jim Burns, who represented his father John Burns, prepare to raise their glasses to Obama. The governors belted out their heartiest good wishes, led by Burns' "Cheers!" Ariyoshi's "Banzai!" Waihe'e's "Imua!" and Cayetano's "Mabuhay!" Other revelers include, clockwise from right, Kumu Hula Kaleo Trinidad and Jimmy Borges. Trinidad performed a mele inoa, or name chant, which was written for Obama and earlier performed at the Kāhala fundraiser for Obama's campaign when the then-presidential hopeful visited Honolulu in August (at left). The Aloha Inaugural Ball, a fundraiser for the Democratic Party of Hawai'i, displays collectibles for sale. Puamana Crabbe, "came out of retirement" to design a red gown for Cayetano, made especially for the occasion.

Photos in the PDF from top row, left, Miss Hawai'i USA. Aureana Tseu and sister Tatiana. And in Washington, the Hawai'i State Society Ball welcomed Antoinette Lee, former Miss Universe Brook Lee and OHA Trustee Boyd Mossman and family. Also in the crowd, U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye and wife Irene. Middle row, OHA Trustee Colette Machado (Gini Moore photos). Below, OHA Trustee Oswald Stender talks with Kohono Mossman (Julie Coleson photo). An exuberant U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie (Gini Moore photo). Hālau Ho'omau I ka Wai Ola O Hawai'i musicians and dancers perform at the Aloha Inaugural Ball at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel (Paul Rudin photo). Raiatea Helm entertains at the Hawai'i State Ball. (Raiatea Helm courtesy photo) All other photos: Blaine Fergerstrom