2016 Hawaii Democratic Convention

Andrea and I attended the 2016 Democratic Party convention over Memorial Day weekend, staying at the Reef Hotel, Friday, May 27^th through Monday, May 30^th.

Friday

We arrived at the (Outrigger) Reef at check-in time of 3:00 PM at valet parking. We got a nice garden view room with a lanai. After walking on Beachwalk Street and Kalakaua Avenue, we dropped off our purchases in our room and walked down via the beach to the Moana Hotel Banyan Court Beach Bar for cocktails and pupu.

Andrea in the inner courtyard of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel.

We scouted out the Sheraton Hotel where the convention was to be held and noticed some interesting large abstracts by local artists.

At the ocean walkway by the Hale Kulani Hotel with the famous Kiawe tree. Photo by Andrea.

We had ahi poke nachos at the Moana Hotel. Photo by Andrea.

Andrea had a cosmopolitan.

An outrigger was part of a beach wedding ceremony. Photo by Andrea.

A drummer in the canoe was answered by a drum on the beach. Photo by Andrea.

We also went to Hula Grill above Duke's at the Outrigger Hotel.

Two brothers played Hawaiian music at Hula Grill.

Saturday

We arrived at the Sheraton to register and lucked out getting into the short line. The start of the convention was delayed an hour by the typical chaos associated with the non-organized political party.

Having gotten through the chaotic registration relatively easily, the hall remained empty for a while. Seating for over a thousand was available.

Governor Ige gave an inspiring speech.

A Bernie Sanders rally was held at the Royal Hawaiian Center grassy area.

It began to rain during the Sanders rally. The "grass" here is actually fake. Photo by Andrea.

U.S. Representative Tulsi Gabbard spoke while the security officers had questions.

Andrea stood by a very nice large abstract painting at the Sheraton on the way back from the rally.

Andrea was an alternate, but was upgraded to delegate along with Laurel, also from Aina Haina. Here they are in line to vote with
Hawaii State House Representative Mark Hasham, showing their yellow voting cards.

Diamond Head from Gov. Ige's hospitality suite on the top (31^st) floor of the Sheraton.

Sunday

The convention continued on Sunday with the election results given and new business including Rules Committee report and Resolutions Committee report. We voted to adopt recommendations with some changes, e.g. a resolution that superdelegates vote with the majority of Presidential Preference Poll voters, i.e., for Bernie Sanders. A resolution is non-binding, but an elected official could face difficulties if he goes against the convention resolution.

Senator Schatz gave an inspiring speech before lunch.

There seemed to be some sort of flotilla going on in front of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel.

On the way back from the convention in the Sheraton, we stopped at the Hale Kulani for mai tais and Hawaiian music.

We had dinner at the Ocean House Restaurant in the Reef.

Monday

Monday was Memorial Day and a free day for us.

We walked to Cinnamon's in the Ilikai for breakfast through the park at Fort Derussy.

After we got coffee at Cinnamon's.

Me with coffee. Photo by Andrea.

The Ilikai, looking up toward Sarento's restaurant.

Andrea went out for a walk by herself after breakfast. View from Kapahulu groin at Kuhio Beach.

I walked out of the hotel at 9:00 AM to see the Memorial Day Parade. I stood in front of the Royal Hawaiian to watch. Miss Hawaii
and other beauties in a line of Corvettes.

Dancers from the Polynesian Cultural Center.

Hot rods!

I met Andrea at the lei stand near Lewers and we walked back to the hotel and went for a swim. On the jetty by the Reef Hotel.

Andrea with Diamond Head.

We walked to the Outrigger hotel and had lunch at Hula's Bar and Grill.

I had the fish and chips and Andrea had the fish tacos.

Andrea stopped at Forever Flawless in the Royal Hawaiian Center for a product demonstration by Irena.

We had dinner at Sarento's at the "Top of the I" (Ilikai). Photo by Andrea.

Andrea had the "Little Italy" cocktail.

It rained all around, even on the lantern floating ceremony at Ala Moana Park. Photo by Andrea.

The lantern floating ceremony. Click the image to see the full resolution version.

A zoomed in version of the photo above.

My friend Ron Van Clief's photo of the lanterns floating.

Tuesday

We had breakfast at Giovani Pastrami on Lewers Street and then went back to the hotel to pack up and check out.

I got this photo of the Reef Hotel front entrance on the way back from breakfast.

Email Richard dot J dot Wagner at gmail dot com