January 25, 2010The Republican National committee is putting the spotlight on Hawaii by holding its winter meeting here.
It's the first time the islands are playing host, thanks to a pick by RNC leader, Michael Steele.
“It’s a chance to kind of expose Hawaii to the rest of America, I mean it’s, it’s part of the growth and fabric of the nation and I think its important for us as a party to be here,” said Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele.
168 Republicans will attend the meeting starting this Wednesday through Saturday at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.
Critics say it wasn't smart to choose paradise for such a critical meeting, but Steele disagrees.
“A lot of folks out there relax, we're working hard out here, this is not a vacation this is a working meeting this is our winter meeting, we're here to do the business of the party and we'll get it done,” said Steele.
Business includes boosting red power in this blue state, with two races coming up in their cross hairs -- the possible special election to fill democrat Neil Abercrombie's empty congressional seat, as well as the gubernatorial race.
“This is another chance for us, again as a national party to come here and say this, this state for Republicans is a competitive state and we intend to compete here at all levels,” said Steele.
The meeting couldn't come at a better time, a week after the people of Massachusetts elected republican Scott Brown to the U.S. senate seat. A seat once held by the "liberal lion" Ted Kennedy.
“We're always counting on repeats of Massachusetts and I think the people of Hawaii have gone away from their traditional partisan ideals and they're moving more towards their independent ideals which rings best for the republicans,” said Hawaii Republican Party Chairman Jonah Ka'auwai
It could also do more than get the momentum going for the republican party here in Hawaii, it could also help boost our local economy.
“Coming to Hawaii now is good for us and good for our economy because the group market has decreased dramatically over the last year,” said State Tourism Liaison Marsha Weinert.
“Just the overall amount of publicity, the news that goes out in regards to it, is going to put Hawaii front and center across the nation and that can only be good for us!”
“Glad to be here where the weathers nice, yes, but the opportunities are even better and that’s what I'm looking forward to,” said Steele.
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