Gov. Lingle told the crowd our size was 10,000 - and I'm sure they counted heads as we all came in the door.
What was the crowd like? Completely, 100% stoked. Many of us locals have been waiting a lifetime for a rally like this. My Dad says he remembers Nixon coming in '60, but I was just a little thing then.
I was wondering who would show up, and it warmed my heart to see we had a wonderful cross-section of Hawaii's people. For example, sitting in front of me were two lovely old Hawaiian women. They are sisters, 76 and 77 - they wouldn't tell us which was which! They were charming and friendly. Told us how they brought up their children to work hard. So much for the myth about lazy Hawaiians! They're praying for Pres. Bush and so am I.
Who would have thought that Hawaii was even a remote possibility? Kerry and company must be messin' their drawers over things like this.