The University of Â鶹´«Ã½ is leading the charge for a Barack Obama Presidential Center in Honolulu, and state government, business and community leaders are lending their support.
They gathered in the nation’s capitol on inauguration weekend to attend the Â鶹´«Ã½ Presidential Center Inaugural Gala and start the effort to raise money for the project.
The crowd of about 300 consisted mostly of Â鶹´«Ã½ residents, former island residents and people with Â鶹´«Ã½ ties. They included Â鶹´«Ã½’s congressional delegation; AOL Founder Steve Case; educator, author and President Barack Obama’s sister Maya Soetoro-Ng; county mayors and UH President M.R.C. Greenwood, who is among those leading the effort to secure the Obama Presidential Center in Honolulu.
“Some thought this was an impossible dream. I’m here to tell you that we can do this and we’ve been encouraged by the President. We are committed to doing this with all of you, because there is no way we could do it without you,” Greenwood told an energized crowd.
“We are committed to doing everything we can to build a center that will advance collaborative solutions to global problems and cultivate a new generation of community leaders. The center will carry forward the President’s work,” Greenwood said.
Â鶹´«Ã½leads Â鶹´«Ã½ bid for presidential center
“The idea was hatched by a bunch of UH professors sitting around a kitchen table,” said Connie Lau, president and chief executive officer of Hawaiian Electric Industries, a major sponsor of the gala.
“We want to thank the university for leading our state’s efforts in bidding for the Â鶹´«Ã½ Presidential Center. But UH cannot do it alone. All of us have to pitch in and do our part. This will bring to Â鶹´«Ã½ significant economic, educational and environmental benefits. It will teach and inspire children and our visitors throughout Â鶹´«Ã½,” Lau said.
Soetoro-Ng, who is also a UH faculty member, arrived at the fundraiser gala after attending a string of other inaugural festivities.
“I think Â鶹´«Ã½ has put together a wonderful proposal, it’s insightful, thoughtful and I know that regardless of the outcome, that my brother will want to take a hold of all of the people and the resources and the ideas that Â鶹´«Ã½ brings. I am looking forward to having my home be part of the rich conversation about the future,” Soetoro-Ng said.
Â鶹´«Ã½’s congressional delegation pledges support
Â鶹´«Ã½ will have to compete with Chicago, President Obama’s other hometown, for a piece of the presidential center.
U.S. Representative Colleen Hanabusa suggested the dueling states share the center.
“He calls both places home. I know the president will want to have part of his legacy with us,” Hanabusa said.
“Â鶹´«Ã½ has unique assets that it brings to this conversation. The whole community in Â鶹´«Ã½ is supportive of this effort and we’re in the conversation on the national level. So we have to stay unified and make our best case at the appropriate time,” said U.S. Senator Brian Schatz.
“President Obama and his advisors should strongly consider building a piece of his presidential legacy in Â鶹´«Ã½. I know Â鶹´«Ã½ is a special place to him, and Â鶹´«Ã½ residents are proud to call him one of their own. I will work closely with other members of the Â鶹´«Ã½ delegation in moving the Â鶹´«Ã½ presidential center initiative forward,” said U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono.
Read more about the gala and view a slideshow of photos from the event on Greenwood’s blog,