Congressman Neil Abercrombie recalls the day several years ago when he was reacquainted with then Illinois state Senator Barack Obama at the wedding of Obama’s sister at Kualoa Ranch in Hawaii.
Above: President-elect Barack Obama and Congressman Neil Abercrombie were among the family and friends attending the wedding of Obama's sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng, at Kualoa Ranch Hawaii several years ago. (Photo/Kualoa Ranch Hawaii)
“It was clear to me, as clear as a bell ringing, that he would run for president,” says Abercrombie, “and I told him that and spoke with his wife about it.”
Abercrombie’s ties to the Obama family date back to 1959 when he befriended the President-elect’s parents-to-be, Barack Obama, Sr. and Ann Dunham, at the University of Hawaii at Manoa where they were fellow students.
But decades later, shortly after the 2004 Democratic National Convention, Abercrombie had just listened to Obama speak to the wedding of Obama's sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng, and was struck by his charisma and eloquence. So much so that Abercrombie told Obama that he would have to run for president, even though he was just elected to the Illinois state Senate.
“He had a facility for communicating with people that was unique, and his values were sound. Growing up in Hawaii was good for him, and he carried a lot of Hawaii with him, the best part, the good things about Hawaii and the values of reaching out to one another, the foundation of Polynesian virtues for welcoming, neighborliness and ohana.
“I told him events (of the day) are in the saddle and they were riding him. This wave is coming. You understand waves, and all waves, no matter how big and powerful, dissipate in the sand. Everything is transitory and it all ends. This wave is coming in 2008 and it’s either going to roll over you or you’re going to ride the wave. It will come and if you miss it, it’s going to dissipate in the sand. You can’t miss it. You’re going to have to ride it.”
Below: A view of Kualoa Ranch from the ocean. Bottom photo: Kaaawa Valley is a picturesque part of the ranch. (Photos/Kualoa Ranch Hawaii)
