Hawaii ball stars aloha spirit -- and poke

By Mary Vorsino

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Jan 21, 2013

~~<p>WASHINGTON » The crowd at this year's "Hawaii ball" was smaller than in 2009, and the budget not quite as lavish, but the pride and anticipation were still palpable as islanders and others gathered on the eve of today's inaugural ceremonies to toast a native son as he prepares for big challenges ahead.</p>
<p>"We're sharing the aloha spirit," said Ernie Takafuji, past president of the Hawaii State Society of Washington, D.C., which put on the event. "We're celebrating a new time, a new term for the president."</p>
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WASHINGTON » The crowd at this year's "Hawaii ball" was smaller than in 2009, and the budget not quite as lavish, but the pride and anticipation were still palpable as islanders and others gathered on the eve of today's inaugural ceremonies to toast a native son as he prepares for big challenges ahead.

"We're sharing the aloha spirit," said Ernie Takafuji, past president of the Hawaii State Society of Washington, D.C., which put on the event. "We're celebrating a new time, a new term for the president." Login for more...