Daisy Smith, whose flamboyant style and independent spirit made her a larger-than-life figure in Hawai'i's political and community life, died yesterday at Hilo Medical Center. She was 95.

The petite Smith, whose vehicle license plates read "MSDAZY," was a fixture at the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival, marching in the parade every year sporting her trademark hats and purple high heels.

She was a stalwart Republican who is said to have attended every state and national GOP convention over the past 40 years. The Hawai'i GOP honored Smith for her devotion with the Chairman's Award at the state convention in May.

Hawai'i GOP headquarters manager Joanne Bretschneider joined Smith at the 2000 Republican National Convention in Philadelphia.

"You couldn't miss her, and she was a tiny woman. She would get all dolled up and wore high heels and dressed flamboyantly in red, white and blue. She was quite terrific," Bretschneider said. "Even at the last (state) convention, she was up dancing and waving banners."

Former GOP congresswoman Patricia Saiki first met Smith in the 1960s and said it is hard to imagine Hawai'i politics without her.

"She and I were at a time when the party was just really emerging. She was always the backbone of the party, especially on the Big Island. She was always energetic, always full of ideas. That woman was really unbelievable," Saiki said.

"Everybody knew Daisy and depended on her to always be there. We'll miss her terribly."

Republican Gov. Linda Lingle yesterday described Smith as "an extraordinary and passionate woman."

"She was many things to many people — an aloha ambassador in her purple heels at the Merrie Monarch, a Big Island resident with a big heart, and an inspiration and mother to the Hawai'i Republican Party," Lingle said in a statement. "To me, she was a treasure of our state and a dear friend."

Despite her party loyalties, Smith also was friendly with the Big Island's Democratic mayors, according to former Advertiser Big Island correspondent Hugh Clark. He called her a "fiercely independent" woman who lived alone in a Puna subdivision for years after her husband died. Clark attended a celebration for her 90th birthday and said "she was the life of her own party."

"Daisy's outgoing personality was infectious, and she was unabashed but always within her lady-like rules," he said.

Friend Joyce Wubker said Smith was a former president of the Hilo Woman's Club, and until a few weeks ago volunteered once a week at the group's Pink Elephant Thrift Store, which recently closed. She also volunteered at the Hilo Medical Center reception desk every Sunday after attending services at Holy Apostles Episcopal Church. Smith also served as an aloha ambassador for cruise ships arriving at Hilo Harbor, Wubker said.

Smith was born Jan. 8, 1911, in Philadelphia, and moved to Hawai'i with her husband in the mid-1960s. Soon after arriving, she worked as a cashier at the Hilo Naniloa Hotel and became immediately known for her aloha spirit.

Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday at Dodo Mortuary in Hilo, with a service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue at 9 a.m. Aug. 15 at Holy Apostles Church, with a funeral at 11 a.m. and burial to follow at Hawai'i Veterans Cemetery No. 1.

Reach Christie Wilson at cwilson@honoluluadvertiser.com.