The state Capitol came alive Wednesday as lawmakers, lobbyists and interest groups anxious to be heard gathered for opening day at the Legislature.

Several groups representing the senior population were present, including the Lahaina-Honolua Senior Citizens Club.

"We had a lot of programs going on that were cut (that) we’d like to put back," said June Kaaihue-Yong, a resident of Lahaina.

One is the B.E.S.T. program run by Maui Economic Opportunity Inc., which worked with inmates being released from prison.

"They’re going back to jail because they have no place to go, no one to show them the ropes of what’s going on in the world now," Kaaihue-Yong said.

Sen. Brian Taniguchi (D, Moiliili-Manoa) said he enjoys talking with interest groups, and sometimes they can make a difference.

"But I can’t guarantee that just because we introduce their bill that the bill’s going to pass," Taniguchi said, "so we give them advice on who to meet with, what chairman to talk to so that they can get their best (effort) forward."

An interest group supporting labeling of genetically modified foods had one of the biggest turnouts.

Fikry Andrawes, who has a doctorate degree in chemistry, said European countries refuse to use GMO products and some African countries have refused donations of corn because it was genetically modified to increase its shelf life.

"There are still lots of unanswered questions regarding GMO (and it’s long-term affect on humans)," he said. "In principle it’s good, but when fed to rats, they refused to eat it. When we force them to eat it, they got sick and ruined some of their organs."

Native Hawaiian advocacy groups had a good showing as well, supporting everything from protecting farmland to taking care of Hawaii’s aging population.

"They cannot let kupuna programs go down the drain," Uncle Joe Tassill, affiliated with Alu Like, Inc., said. "2011 was an eye-opener; 2012 will be a door opener."

But some groups such as the Waipahu Aloha Clubhouse, which serves more than 100 adults with mental disabilities, are not interested in pushing particular legislation; they just want to be a presence.

"We actually come every year on the opening day of the Legislature in hopes that we get our word out, dispel some myths and stereotypes about adults, and actually anybody, with mental illness," Shea Yonamine, a Clubhouse specialist, said as his group went door-to-door saying "aloha" and handing out cookies and information to senators.

"I guess I’m hoping for what we hope for every year — just to familiarize all the politicians in our community and out, of who we are, what we do."