They argued over genetically modified crops. They debated the pros and cons of the SuperFerry. They wrangled over the controversial issue of vacation rentals and bed and breakfast businesses.

But by far the most sensitive issue on the first full day of the Democratic convention was the prospect of a new state Constitutional Convention. It may not have produced the most public talk, but for many delegates it was the issue with the greatest long-term political consequences.

The dividing line is rather clear: Some of the younger delegates and reform-minded Democrats believe it is time to take another look at our Constitution, which has not been taken up by a convention since 1978.

Others fear a constitutional convention might open the door for repeal, or at least the watering down, of constitutional rights hard won by the 1978 convention.

That played out in a resolution which talked about the need to educate voters on the possibility that precious social, environmental, workers and cultural rights could be “imperiled” by a new convention. A minority version would have tamed that down by throwing  out most of the apocalyptic language. The pro- convention folks also called on public funding of the con-con progress, including paying a “living wage” to constitutional delegates, to ensure it would be a “Peoples’ ConCon.”

Here’s why this was important, both to labor delegates and others as well as the “reformers”: The fault lines on this issue in some ways reflect a larger concern about the Democratic Party, both in Hawaii and across the country.

Is it most concerned with protecting hard-won rights and privileges, or is it interested in changing things toward an uncertain, but perhaps even better future?

Those themes are part of the national conversation about who should be the Democratic nominee for president as well.

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That’s all for Saturday. Watch for more reports on Sunday!

The 2008 Democratic convention draws out more than a little “back to the future” memories from delegates who have been around for a while.

Memory No. 1: The 1972 state convention in which young, progressive and anti-war Democrats made an impressive run against the ruling lords of the party — at that time the Burns Democrats loyal to Gov. John A. Burns.

The anti-war group gained numbers by forging a marriage of convenience with supporters of maverick Democrat Frank Fasi to form “Coalition ‘72.” The group made its mark at the convention but in the end were largely out-hustled by the cannier and more disciplined Burns troops.

But seeds planted often take time to fully take root.

One of the young anti-war delegates in 72 is back this year, but this time not as an outside challenger but rather in a position of spotlight prominence: U.S. Representative Mazie Hirono.

It’s taken a little time, Hirono admitted, but the party has evolved. “Our hopes and aspirations (then) are embedded today in the candidacies of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton,” Hirono said.

Is that another way of saying the young turks have become the establishment, or is this now a political movement finally in full bloom?

As at any party convention, the background noise is always about politics: Who is running, who isn’t, who is going to use the occasion to make a public move and so on.

So, in the hours leading up to Congressman Neil Abercrombie’s pre-lunch speech, there was a lot of speculation about whether he might use the occasion to announce his political plans to the future. There’s a lot of talk about Abercrombie running for governor in 2010.

Well, Abercrombie  didn’t have anything to say on that front. Directly.

But the next election cycle was obviously on his mind.  The exciting presidential year of 2008, he said, “is just a prelude to 2010.”

That will be the year Abercrombie suggested, when the tone will shift from one of confrontation (with Republican Gov. Linda Lingle) to cooperation at the Legislature.

And who will be on the cooperatin’  end of the stick on the fifth floor of the Capitol? Might he be thinking it could be Gov. Abercrombie?

Meanwhile, they’re still debating those resolutions. Sounds like people truly do care about these issues.

Was that a political gathering or a church revival?

Congresman Neil Abercrmbie, Obama-backer No. 1 in Hawaii, had the Democratic convention crowd on its feet with a “change-is-coming” speech that would not have been out of place in a revival meeting. You got the feeling: For Neil and many others, Obama is not just another political candidacy, he is a movement. And it’s been a while since we had a movement that got the juices flowing this way.

So the question is, do movements last, and can they translate into gut political reality? Sometimes they do, the civil rights movement, for instanc. Other times they fizzle when attention or their charismatic leaders drift elsewhere.

Abercrombie also had some intriguing things to say about the caucus system, such as in Hawaii, where Obama did his best. “The caucus system is the glory of democracy,” he said.

Yes, but it also tends to amplify the passions of the engaged . Hillary Clinton has been talking about this precise point, noting that Obama did best in caucus states (where activists dominate) and less well in states where a broader spectrum of Democrats participate: the regular primary states.

Her point: She’s winning in the kind of game that will be played out in the general election. And it is true, Obama will have to take his “movement” and convert it into a much broader general election arena.

That’s the next big job.

Oh my, the excitement is nearly unbearable.

Obama’s sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng (da sistah!) is introducing Congressman Neil Abercrombie, who will give the big speech of the day. In the audience, a “spontaneous” Obama demonstration is ready to erupt, when the signal is given.

Maya says she has watched Neil “shout, and dance, and preach for my brother.” He’ll no doubt do it again today. This is red meat time.