Hawai'i's Democratic Party celebrated a day of firsts last night with an Aloha Inaugural Ball to mark the presidency of Hawai'i-born Barack Obama.

More than 600 people paid $250 each to attend the event on the lawn of the newly remodeled Royal Hawaiian hotel in Waikiki. They dined on food that represented Obama's background, including dishes from Hawai'i, Chicago, Kenya and Indonesia.

Among those in attendance were three of the state's former Democratic governors, who like Obama were trailblazers. George Ariyoshi, the country's first governor of Asian descent; John Waihee, the first Native Hawaiian governor; and Ben Cayetano, the first governor of Filipino ancestry, spearheaded the effort to organize the inaugural ball.

All three men said they were proud that a son of Hawai'i could rise to become the leader of the most powerful nation in the world.

"It's a vindication of the principles to which our country stands, that all men are created equal," said Ariyoshi, 82, who served as governor from 1974 to 1986.

Ariyoshi said he and Obama faced similar challenges in their quests for public office because of their racial backgrounds.

"I came in at a time when people didn't completely accept the fact that we were all supposed to be equal," he said. "We had racial prejudices back in those days."

Ariyoshi said then-Gov. John Burns had to twist his arm to persuade him to run for lieutenant governor in 1970.

"He told me, 'Please listen,' " Ariyoshi recalled, " 'We've never had a person other than a white person being elected governor. We've never had a person except a person born outside of Hawai'i who has been elected governor of Hawai'i. I want you to run and break that.' "

Waihee, who followed Ariyoshi to Washington Place, and Cayetano, who followed Waihee, agreed that the willingness of Americans to elect an African-American as president is a reflection of what Hawai'i has been for decades.

"That's the story of Hawai'i," Cayetano said. "A lot of firsts."

"It's the new reality," Waihee added. "The entire country is becoming like Hawai'i."

Waihee said the three Democratic governors decided to put on the event because of the outpouring of joy from party members.

"They wanted to celebrate Barack Obama's inauguration because that's what it means to Hawai'i, for all of us," he said.

Retired state appeals Judge James Burns said his late father would be proud of how far the state has come since John Burns was elected Hawai'i's second governor in 1962. He said his father always encouraged minorities to dream big.

"In the old days, when local boys didn't have a chance, there was a limit. There was a feeling that you got as far as you can go, but no more," Burns said. "This is a vision come true. The message to all other people in Hawai'i is there are no barriers."

Although last night's event was attended by many with strong ties to the Democratic Party, for everyday people like Fran Kramer of 'Ewa Beach, it was an opportunity to celebrate the election of a new president.

"I wanted to go to an inaugural ball of a president who I really, wholeheartedly supported," Kramer said. "I figured this might be my only chance."