The contingent of Hawaii residents making the trip to Washington, D.C., this month for President Barack Obama’s inauguration will likely be smaller than it was four years ago.

And the theme of the day, for many, will be less about a native son making history than a leader building a legacy.

"The first inauguration, I think people were celebrating this historic victory, this person from Hawaii … becoming the most powerful person in the world. This time around, I feel like we’re celebrating new opportunities for Hawaii," said Robert Perkinson, a University of Hawaii American-studies professor who will attend the inaugural as part of efforts to bring Obama’s presidential library to Hawaii.

In 2009, record numbers of people flocked to the nation’s capital to see America’s first African-American president sworn into office. Among those enduring bitter cold, long lines and tight security were hundreds of Hawaii residents, there to support Obama — aka "Barry" — who was born and raised in the islands and graduated from Punahou School in 1979.

While it’s tough to get a good count on just how many islanders will attend inaugural events this time around, just about everybody agrees fewer Hawaii residents will be in Washington when Obama is sworn into his second term Jan. 21.

Even overall crowd counts are expected to be down for the inauguration, which isn’t unusual for a second-term president.

The inauguration itself — and all the pomp and pageantry that surrounds it — will be scaled back compared with 2009. Planners have said there will be three days (instead of four) of official activities, starting with a "national day of service" Jan. 19 and ending with the swearing-in and inaugural parade Jan. 21.

There will also be only two official inaugural balls on the evening of Jan. 21, compared with the 10 of four years ago.

While the celebrations might be smaller and fewer, there will still be plenty of Hawaii pride in Washington for the big event.

For a second time, the Hawaii State Society of Washington, D.C., will hold its Hawaii Ball, festooning a hotel convention hall in Arlington, Va., with Hawaiian flora and offering Hawaiian entertainment and food.

Tickets to the Jan. 20 ball are selling at a steady clip, but they’re not going nearly as quickly as they did four years ago. As of late last week about 25 tickets — at $225 each for nonmembers — were available for the 450-person event.

In 2009, 1,000 people attended, and tickets sold out within a week.

Kohono Mossman, president of the Hawaii State Society of Washington, D.C., said overall interest in attending inaugural festivities is definitely down compared with four years ago. "We don’t see the excitement like we did last time, which I feel is expected," he said. "But it’s still a moment where everybody is very proud."

There is a chance Obama could drop by the ball, but organizers aren’t holding their breath.

Another Hawaii-centric event — an inaugural gala to raise money for an initiative aimed at bringing Obama’s presidential library to Hawaii — is expected to be attended by Hawaii’s congressional delegation, three Hawaii mayors and other notables. Tickets to the Hawaii Presidential Center event, set for Jan. 19 at the Hay-Adams Hotel in Washington, are $400, with about 50 remaining.

AJ Halagao, senior adviser to the Hawaii Presidential Center and chairman of the gala, said that in 2009 the event sold out within about 48 hours. "This time around, there aren’t as many people going," he said.

Details of the gala were announced in early December.

Still, Halagao said there has been plenty of interest, not least because proceeds go to a Hawaii cause. He said the gala is a way to not only celebrate Obama’s victory, "but also honor his legacy."

UH’s Perkinson is also project coordinator for the Hawaii Presidential Center Initiative. He said that while he’s in Washington he plans to meet with the congressional delegation and others to discuss plans for the library, which Hawaii is vying for along with Chicago. It’s unclear when the Obama administration will make an announcement on where the library will be located.

Perkinson said he expects Obama’s 2013 inaugural festivities to be more of a "sober occasion" as the nation and president prepare to tackle big challenges over the next four years.

"The first one was about history," Perkinson said. This one, he said, is about "looking to the future."

Also on Jan. 19 about 80 Punahou alumni — a good number traveling from Hawaii — will gather at the Ping Pong Dim Sum restaurant in Washington for a private reception.

"It’s a celebration of our classmate," said 1979 Punahou graduate Sharon Yana­gai, who is helping to coordinate the event.

Obama’s alma mater will be represented in the inaugural parade Jan. 21, along with Kamehameha Schools. Punahou marched in 2009 but Kamehameha didn’t.

Kamehameha officials are quick to say, though, that this won’t be the first inaugural parade for the school. Kamehameha students marched in 1961 at President John F. Kennedy’s inaugural parade and in 1993 after President Bill Clinton’s swearing-in.

John Riggle was Kamehameha’s band director in 1993, and he’ll lead the band this time around, too, after coming out of retirement temporarily to serve as interim band director.

When Kamehameha students return to class Tuesday, they’ll "start getting back into shape," Riggle said, to prepare for a parade route that will be "cold and long."

Some 100 Kamehameha students and 11 chaperones will leave for the nation’s capital Jan. 18.

Last week, Punahou’s marching band stepped up its rehearsal schedule. Punahou will have a group of 119 marching band members, 20 JROTC cadets and 10 cheerleaders in the parade, and they’re leaving for Washington on Jan. 16.

Mark Falzarano, Punahou marching band director, said not only will the inaugural parade experience be a first for all of the students participating — they weren’t in high school four years ago — but will also be a first for him.

"They’re very excited to get a chance to play for President Obama," Falzarano said, adding that the students also plan to get some sightseeing in and might attend some formal events, including the Hawaii Ball.

Gail Grief’s son, Isaiah, will be among those going to Washington this month, and she said the trumpet player is elated. In 2009, Grief accompanied her daughter, Mari, to the inaugural parade. Grief said while she won’t be going this time, she’s happy Isaiah will have a chance to say, "I was there."

"It’s a great opportunity for him," she said, "just to be a part of such a historic event and to recognize Hawaii and his school."

George Scott, Punahou chaplain and football coach, will be one of the chaperons on the trip, and said the students headed to Washington are no less excited — or honored — than their peers were in 2009.

"For them it’s just really huge," Scott said. "With Hawaii kids especially, they feel some kinship to him (Obama) because he’s Hawaii-born and he’s a Punahou alum."