HONOLULU -- A number of Republican National Committee leaders are meeting on Oahu this week with optimism following recent victories.

Republicans are holding their winter meeting at the Hilton Hawaii Village. They said they are encouraged by the party's win in four state elections, including Scott Brown's victory to claim the U.S. Senate seat held so long by the late Sen. Ted Kennedy.

"So, it's been a fantastically successful 2009 from a political point of view, having won all four. Statewide, the recruitment class for Republicans so far in 2010 has been top notch in places recently held by Democrats, and of course Democrats with a recruitment class that leaves quite a bit to be desired," RNC spokesman Gene Collins said.

There has been no significant criticism of their winter trip to the beach in Hawaii, and says this is an important state for them in 2010, Collins said.

"Not any legitimate backlash or criticism. Look, Hawaii is a key target state for us. We've got a very competitive special election coming up in May in the House which, we expect to place successfully in, and we've got what we think is a tough but winnable campaign to hold the governorship," Collins said.

The GOP is hoping Honolulu Councilman Charles Djou might take the seat being vacated by Democrat U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie. Djou is running against Democrats state Senate President Colleen Hanabusa and former U.S. Rep. Ed Case.

Hawaii Democratic Party leader Brian Schatz agrees the republicans are eyeing Hawaii.

"No doubt the national GOP is targeting Hawaii," Schatz said. "I believe hawaii voters are moderate and reject the politics of Karl Rove and Michael Steele, and locally want a change which is good for Democrats."

The Republicans will be meeting in Hawaii until Jan. 30.