Hawaii Republicans gave former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney the state GOP’s presidential caucuses on Tuesday night, the first time island voters had a voice in selecting the GOP nominee.

With nearly all of the votes counted, Romney held a substantial lead over former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum and U.S. Rep. Ron Paul. Former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich trailed.

The caucus results will determine which candidates share 17 of the state’s 20 delegates to the Republican National Convention this summer in Tampa, Fla.

“I think it’s a wonderful way to spread the Republican message of smaller government and responsible government,” said Frederick “Fritz” Rohlfing, chairman of the Romney campaign in Hawaii. “So, as far as I’m concerned, it’s a success no matter what the outcome is.”

Warner Kimo Sutton, a Hawaii volunteer for the Santorum campaign, said he had hoped that the former senator from Pennsylvania would add to primary victories earlier Tuesday in Alabama and Mississippi.

Earlier in the evening he said, “While we’re very, very hopeful to make it a sweep today, we’re waiting for all the results to come in before we celebrate,” he said.

Many voters said they were driven by a desire for change to a federal government that they think spends too much money.

“I came out because I’m not satisfied with what’s going on with our government today,” said Larry Lusk, a property manager who lives in Kaneohe. “We should be saving money and we’re not. We’re spending money all over the place.

Lusk said he was not motivated to vote by any one candidate, but thinks conservatives have something to offer this year.

“We need to tighten our belts. I’ve tightened my belt. Most of my friends have tightened their belts,” he said. “Our government just doesn’t seem to get the hint.”

Several voters said they realize Hawaii is Democratic territory. Hawaii-born President Barack Obama is expected to capture the state’s four electoral votes in November. But the caucuses gave island Republicans an opportunity to have a direct say in selecting the GOP nominee for the first time, so many saw value in participating.

“It’s always good for everyone to be able to have their voice, do what they think is right,” said David Parker, a carpenter who lives in Enchanted Lake.

Ivy McIntosh, a homemaker from Kahala, said she switched her party affiliation to Republican despite being a liberal for most of her life. She persuaded her husband to vote for Obama four years ago, but she is disappointed and thinks he has not fulfilled his promises, such as reducing the influence of lobbyists in Washington, D.C.

“I’m surprised that I’m here,” she said while waiting to vote at Kalani High School with her three children, Kaila, 11; Nai‘a, 6; and Kea, 3. “It’s a big change for me. This is a very surreal experience. I want my voice to count. In order to live with myself and not complain, I need to take action. My children need to see me take action."

Lines formed outside many of the caucus locations across the state — several ran out of ballots and party registration cards — a pleasant surprise for party leaders who did not know quite what to expect. David Chang, the state’s GOP chairman, had predicted before Tuesday that turnout would be between 5,000 and 10,000 voters.

Some voters, however, were frustrated with the process at busy locations such as Kalani, where hundreds of voters overwhelmed party volunteers.

Lyndsey Baker, a University of Hawaii dance student, said she had been waiting about 90 minutes to sign up for the GOP when a volunteer announced it would be another 15 minutes before new party cards would arrive.

“It’s worth the wait, but it’s a little unorganized,” she said.

Gail Myers, a real estate retiree who lives in Kahala, stayed with a friend to ensure he did not leave before voting because he had to wait about an hour and 45 minutes to sign up with the party.

“It’s a bit of a pickle and just about everybody in these lines are confused,” she said. But she added that she was happy to see the large turnout and that volunteers were trying their best.

“It’s wonderful to be here. I’m thrilled,” she said. “It just hasn’t been organized from the get-go.”

Hawaii Republicans had previously awarded delegates to presidential candidates at state party conventions, but converted to the caucuses to help build the minority party.

The Obama campaign helped draw a record 37,000 voters to the Democratic presidential caucuses in 2008, bringing energy to a ritual that had attracted only about 5,000 voters in the past.

Dante Carpenter, chairman of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, said Romney, the Republican front-runner, has moved to the right during the nominating contest.

“In this election year, the people of Hawaii have seen Mitt Romney move to the right of Rick Santorum on many of the key issues facing our nation,” he said in a statement. “Whether it’s the housing industry or immigration, Romney’s main objective is to say anything to the Republican base to get the nomination for the party.

The Republican candidates did not appear personally in Hawaii, but the caucuses were on their radars. Romney held a telephone conference call with Republicans. Paul bought local television advertising time. Santorum issued an automated telephone call to encourage turnout.

The candidates also sent family members to the islands as surrogates. Matt Romney, Romney’s son; Elizabeth Santorum, Santorum’s daughter; and Ronnie Paul, Paul’s son, made campaign swings in the past several days.

Miriam Hellreich, the state GOP’s national committeewoman and a Republican fundraiser, was skeptical about the caucuses at first.

“I have to tell you, initially, I was very skeptical about changing from the convention system, because I was thinking the learning curve would be so hard to get the word out and to be able to educate the public about the fact that they could come and vote.

“I was skeptical, but I really am not any longer. I think it’s really positive thing.” 

HAWAII RESULTS WITH 84 PERCENT OF PRECINCTS REPORTING: