Hawaii DNC delegation divided over Gaza, with 7 members still uncommitted to Harris
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - It’s Day One of the Democratic National Convention, protests are filling the streets of Chicago and it’s going to be a big night for President Joe Biden as he’s set to make a keynote speech.
The convention is being held at United Center with the main program kicking off at 12:30 p.m. Hawaii time.
It’s a very celebratory mood in Chicago, but the only cloud is a continuing dispute over the U.S. policy to Gaza and Israel, which has actually split the Hawaii delegation more than most.
Thousands of protesters demonstrating over the crisis in Gaza as well as for reproductive rights marched through downtown Chicago on Sunday night — the first of many daily protests.
Security is very tight with Chicago and Illinois State Police, as well as Homeland Security and Secret Service keeping watch.
The protestors had a permitted marching route, but some arrests were made Monday and the perimeter was breached, delaying people coming into the hall and through security checkpoints.
Hawaii’s delegation is actually the most divided over Gaza, with seven of 31 not voting for Kamala Harris on Tuesday. They will instead be voting “present” as a protest even though they do support her.
But it was all smiles and hugs Monday morning at breakfast at the Hyatt Regency Chicago as the delegates prepare to hear the president speak.
“I think it’s going to be bittersweet,” said Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam, who is also the head of Harris delegates. “I ran his campaign in Hawaii in 2020 and it was all in. But again, it’s time for, you know, new leadership. He stepped aside so Kamala Harris could step up and potentially be our first female president. That’s so exciting.”
Gov. Josh Green shared a similar sentiment.
“I’m going to have kind of a melancholy moment as we’ve loved President Biden. He’s been so good to our state and our family. So, of course, you know that will weigh heavily on my heart,” Green said.
“But I’ll also be so excited on Thursday when Vice President Harris gets the nomination and begins the process of becoming the first woman president, which I really believe is going to happen.”
“This is a changing, pivotal moment,” added state Rep. Della Belatti, a convention volunteer. “It’s a time of generational transition. So you’re seeing a lot of energy. You’re seeing a lot of gray hair, but you’re seeing a lot of youth as well. And I think that’s what’s really important. So it’s an exciting time for change.”
Most of the delegates spent the day at caucuses at another convention center before heading to the main event.
The program at the United Center will be starting at 5:30 p.m. in Chicago (12:30 p.m. HST) and will include multiple speakers, including Hillary Clinton, Jill Biden and what’s being called a valedictory speech by Biden who gave up his candidacy for Harris.
This story will be updated.
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