HONOLULU -- Barack Obama's surprising sweep in Iowa left many Hawaii Democrats thrilled.

Many said they were proud to see the Punahou graduate moving ahead with a serious chance of becoming president.

Even local political insiders backing other Democratic or Republican candidates for president said they feel good about Obama.

KITV's Denby Fawcett reported that many in Hawaii were bursting with pride on Friday as Obama was fast on the trail in New Hampshire.

"The people of Iowa put America on the road to change, and in four days time, New Hampshire, it is your turn to stand up for change in America," Obama said.

Hillary Clinton was also on the New Hampshire trail pushing her lengthier experience, and she had Chelsea and Bill Clinton helping out her campaign.

Sen. Colleen Hanabusa is Hillary Clinton's campaign chief in Hawaii.

"I think anyone from Hawaii, irrespective of who we support, has got (to) feel a sense of pride, and we have got to congratulate Barack Obama because he is the one with the local ties," Hanabusa said. "What I would like to see Hawaii people do is to really get active in the party and then to participate in the Feb. 19 caucus, and the reason is you can never tell, and our delegates may make the difference and may actually have an impact."

Obama supporter Chuck Freedman also urged Hawaii residents to register for Hawaii's February Democratic caucus.

"We want to make sure all our voters get there, and that we win that day for Hawaii and for Obama," Freedman said.

Political watcher Neal Milner said no matter what their political leaning is, many have been touched by Obama.

"Even the conservative columnist David Brooks said today in his column how you can get tears in your eyes from watching what he has been able to do," Milner said.

Hawaii's Republican National Committeewoman, Miriam Hellreich, said it's exciting to see a fresh face like Obama's in the mix.

Hellreich said it is too early to predict if Obama would be a real threat to Republicans if he won the nomination, mainly because Obama is so new to presidential politics.