WASHINGTON » Hundreds of islanders gathered in the nation’s capital Saturday night to celebrate President Barack Obama’s inauguration by supporting Hawaii’s bid for his presidential library.

At a benefit gala at the historic Hay-Adams hotel, Hawaii’s congressional delegation, three Hawaii mayors and other notables in business and politics ate Hawaiian food, listened to Hawaiian music and drank heartily — all for a cause.

Organizers said the event raised about $50,000 for the Hawaii Presidential Center Initiative, the University of Hawaii-backed organization that is spearheading the work of bringing Obama’s library to the islands.

AJ Halagao, senior adviser to the Hawaii Presidential Center and chairman of the inaugural gala, said the black-tie affair was not only a fundraiser but a chance to boost awareness — and support — for Hawaii’s efforts to attract the 44th president’s library.

"We want to honor his legacy," Halagao said of Obama.

He added, "We think it’s going to take a strategic effort to bid for a center."

Movers and shakers at the party said they believe Hawaii has a fair shot of snagging the presidential library, which would be an economic boon for the islands and carry hefty prestige.

Presidential libraries attract visitors from around the world, and are seen as centers for education and research.

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, said Hawaii should be "seriously considered" for a number of reasons, including its robust visitor industry, its strategic location in the Pacific and its goals around energy independence.

Hawaii — Obama’s birthplace — is competing for the library with Chicago, where Obama began his political career.

University of Hawaii President M.R.C. Greenwood told the crowd at the inaugural gala that UH has been in talks with the Obama administration on the effort, and that UH plans to submit a concept bid that would spell out the benefits of placing a presidential library in Hawaii.

"I’m here to tell you we can do this," Greenwood told attendees, a statement that drew raucous applause.

Several members of the delegation jokingly added that Hawaii would happily share Obama — and an Obama library — with Chicago.

And that is a "plan B" that the UH is eyeing as a way to cement Hawaii’s participation in a project. (Choosing Hawaii alone for the library might be too outlandish, the reasoning goes, but co-locating a library in Hawaii and Chicago might make perfect sense.)

The gala rounded out a busy day for many islanders who made the 5,000-mile trek to Washington, D.C., for the inauguration.

Earlier in the day, residents visited Hawaii’s congressional offices to pick up their free tickets to Obama’s swearing-in ceremonies, scheduled for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Others squeezed in some sightseeing or participated in volunteer efforts as part of the National Day of Service.

As the sun set, a group of about 85 Punahou School alumni gathered in the Ping Pong Dim Sum restaurant in Dupont Circle to catch up and reconnect, as one of their own prepares to be sworn in to a second four-year term as president.

About 15 members of the Punahou class of 1979 — the year Obama graduated — were there, including some classmates who hadn’t seen each other since they were in their teens.

The informal reception turned impromptu reunion was closed to the media, but attendees said it was a heartfelt celebration of the inauguration — and of a man his classmates called "Barry."

"His campaign drew us together," said Bernice Bowers, of Kailua, a strong Obama supporter. "We’re just all so proud."

But amid the celebrations Saturday — and talk of Obama’s legacy — there was also recognition that the president is facing some monumental problems in his second term.

Gun control, immigration, the national debt and continuing economic woes are among major domestic issues to be addressed.

"The challenges continue," said U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, speaking in her Senate offices Saturday. "This is again another historic occasion at a time when our country is facing huge issues."

Ross Uchimura, a 1979 Punahou graduate who now lives in Ohio, said while Obama certainly has some incredible challenges ahead of him, "we know him."

He added, "He’s absolutely up to the task."