WASHINGTON » Islanders who made their way to Hawaii’s congressional offices Saturday to pick up free tickets to the inauguration didn’t encounter the long lines and security slow-downs that characterized the experience in 2009.
Most onlookers are anticipating that turnout at Monday’s inauguration will be smaller than four years ago, when a record number of people turned out see the nation’s first black president sworn into office.
Still, the crowds will no doubt be impressive.
Staff for Hawaii’s congressional delegation said all of their tickets — about 1,200 among the two senators and two representatives —are spoken for, even though fewer Hawaii residents appear to be in town for the inauguration.
A number of those who did pick up tickets Saturday said they had attended the inauguration in 2009, and wanted to return to celebrate the re-election of a native son.
Mun-Won Chang, of Ewa Beach, is attending the inauguration with her husband. While both flew into the nation’s capital four years ago to attend inaugural balls, neither wanted to brave the swearing-in ceremony, which is held outside.
This time around, though, they do want to see Obama take the oath of office.
Chang said she wanted to come because Obama’s re-election, just like his first election, is a "historic event."
"The fact that he was re-elected was even more important," she said. "It’s a confirmation that … it wasn’t just a fluke, that he was meant to be there."
Gloria Borland, a documentary filmmaker who lives part time in the islands, attended the 2009 inauguration with her daughter, Imi-loa.
She said she wanted to go with her daughter again to show her support for the president.
Borland added, patting Imiloa on the shoulder, "It’s history for her."
Alden Adaoag, of Puhi, Kauai, brought his wife and their four children, who range in age from 8 to 16, to Washington, D.C., for the inauguration.
Adaoag also attended four years ago.
"Basically, it’s about how he is making history again," Adaoag said, when asked why he’s making the trek a second time.
But not everyone is a return attendee.
When Mililani resident Iris Mizokami requested free tickets to Obama’s swearing-in, she didn’t think she would actually get them.
She was granted the tickets in December, and knew she couldn’t turn them down.
On Saturday, Mizokami and her 14-year-old niece, Rachel Sunada, picked up the tickets (in a standing section) from the offices of U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, and then went to the Dirksen Senate building to meet U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono and sign U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz’s guestbook.
Mizokami said she’s excited at the prospect of being in the middle of something that will be watched by so many people around the globe.
"You can see it on TV," she said, "but if you see a million people around you, that’s a different experience."
