On the steamy, chaotic  floor of the Democratic national convention,  you get a choice: See or be seen.

For the Hawaii delegates their fate is to be seen. The delegation is directly adjacent to the convention floor, which means easy access and a steady parade of delegates and celebrities passing by. The delegation just got through chatting with former Hawaii resident and war hero Tammy Duckworth.

But getting a gander of the podium is a bit of a problem. The delegation is directly behind a big camera platform that partially blocks the view. But the upside to that is that Hawaii makes a convenient target when the cameraman needs a cutaway shot of the audience. All the flowers and aloha wear don’t hurt either.

DENVER -The glittering hotel ballroom was alive with laughter, loud talk and music as the Asian Pacific Islander American Vote “Living the Dream” reception got underway last night following the first session of the Democratic National Convention.

Then the MC asked the crowd to hush up for a moment so everyone could hear someone whose record of “service and sacrifice” is unparalled: Hawaii Sen. Daniel Inouye. The room fell almost silent as Inouye took the stage. It was clear Inouye holds a position of near-reverence within this politically savvy, largely Mainland-focused group.

It was, actually, a little awkward. And Inouye quickly lightened the mood by joking that he’d been so busy to that point he’d hardly had time to get to the men’s room. Now, he said, he’s relaxed and won’t have to rush his speech.

Inouye, a veteran of Democratic political conventions since 1952, said this one was particularly historic for him and most of the people in the room.

“This convention is the first time where members of the so-called minority constitute the majority,” he said.

Well, not exactly, according to statistics from the Democratic National Committee, which says 56 percent of the delegates are white. But that is a historically low number, meaning the percentage of non-white delegates is at an all-time high. About 4.6 percent of them are Asians or Pacific Islander.

But getting minority participation in the convention to this level and then and nominating a minority for president is one thing, Inouye admitted. The other is getting the general public to accept that change. “I hope people can set apart their emotions of the past,” he said.

Inouye was one of several Hawaii officials to appear before the group, which has been quite active this convention. They also heard from Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann, Congresswoman Mazie Hirono and Senate President Colleen Hanabusa.

One of the highlights of the first night of the Democratic convention, for the Hawaii delegation at any rate, will be the appearance of the candidate’s half-sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng.

She will be part of a parade of speakers who will sketch out Barack Obama’s compelling personal history. The big finish is Michelle Obama, who will follow the emotional highlight of the night: an appearance by the ailing Sen. Ted Kennedy.

Maya (everyone calls her that) has a good sub-prime slot, right after a tribute to former President Jimmy Carter. She’s up around 3 p.m. Hawaii time, if you’re inclined to watch.

Everyone wants a piece of nominee Barack Obama at this convention, and that includes the Asian American and Pacific Islander caucus.

The group has a strong presence here with events almost every day and a record number of Asian and Pacific Islander delegates in attendance. Monday night the Asian American and Pacific IslanderVote program will hold a “gala” reception featuring remarks from Senior Hawaii Sen. Daniel Inouye and State Senate President Colleen Hanabusa.

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders like Obama, and as you will read below, he has some specific ideas on how he can support the Asian and Pacific Islander community. (more…)

DENVER — Sen. Hillary Clinton’s name will be symbolically placed in nomination for president at this week’s Democratic convention in Denver.

But lot of work is going on behind the scenes to make sure the symbolism does not become ugly reality for the millions who will be watching on television and following the event around the world.

Formally placing the Clinton name in nomination will recognize the historic achievement she made as the first (almost) major party nominee for president. It will be a moment of high drama and a fair amount of emotion for long-time Clinton backers in the Hawaii delegation and elsewhere on the convention floor.

No one wants catharsis to slip into chaos. Convention organizers want Clinton to have her moment in the spotlight, not just as a convention speaker but as a recognized and delegate-rich candidate for president. But since she will not get the nomination, they are doing all they can to ensure this moment goes smoothly.

The Clinton campaign is organizing a group of “whips,” or floor managers, who will do their best to see that emotions do not get out of hand. One whip is Clinton supporter Colleen Hanabusa, president of the Hawaii State Senate.

She said she has been asked to make sure Clinton delegates are enthusiastic, but not too much so. The last thing anyone wants is a chorus of boos when Obama’s name is places in nomination alongside Clinton. It will be the task of Hanabusa and other whips to make sure things don’t get out of hand.

Within the Hawaii delegation, Hanabusa said, there is little concern. But who knows what might happen elsewhere? That’s what the whips are for and why they will be active on the convention floor when the formal nomination process begins.