It was a pretty penny for this retired police officer and school teacher.

"We might see one or two less movies a week but we don't mind supporting Barack," said Angela Smith and her husband Coleman.

The fundraiser's coordinator Brian Schatz said the one event raised more than $50,000.

"We think we are going to raise an unprecedented amount of money out of Hawaii for a presidential race," said Schatz.

It was a different story at Kaimuki High School where Dennis Kucinich came to speak.

Kucinich said it wasn't about raising money but about talking story.

"This aloha spirt...which is the power of Hawaii... is the spirit that I want to bring into the presidency," said Kucinich.

But did Kaimuki have aloha for him?

"Well we are hoping we have enough room. It's going to be overflowing," said coordinator Jeff Gere.

Well, that wasn't quite the case. The auditorium wasn't even half full.

Audience member Marsha Lambeth said she came to show respect.

"He is the only candidate that is coming to Hawaii and I think we should thank him for that," said Lambeth, a Moilili resident.

Kucinich's wants universal health care and to end the war in Iraq.

Obama's vision is similar. But the Hawaii-born Punahou graduate has gotten many more residents excited about his run for president.

"And when you feel that way you have to put your money where your mouth is," said Angela Smith.

As for Marsha, she'd rather save her pennies and shake the hand of a man who will hear what she has to say.

"Obama has more big donors and anything I could contribute would be a lot less. That's the way it is so I just don't think i would be as important over there," Lambeth said of the Obama fundraiser.

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