It wasn't enough for Bettye Jo Harris to quietly support Sen. Barack Obama's presidential campaign.

The longtime Kane'ohe resident wanted to bring Obama's local following together.

So she's organizing what she calls a "spiritual unity rally" in support of the Illinois senator June 24 at Trinity Missionary Baptist Church.

The rally will be part of a weeklong celebration in Hawai'i of "Juneteenth," the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.

Juneteenth is observed on June 19.

"I think Sen. Obama brings his feelings of who we are," said Harris, who has served as executive director of Hina Mauka and led the successful lobbying effort to observe the Martin Luther King Day holiday in Hawai'i.

"We are a diverse state and nation now ... I believe he could bring back to this country of ours the respect we've always had, a fairness and a willingness to help others."

More than 300 people are expected to attend the rally.

"But my goal is to have standing-room-only in the parking lot," Harris added.

According to the 2000 U.S. Census, there are fewer than 40,000 African-Americans, including those in the military, in Hawai'i.

Harris hopes this rally brings together the state's African-American community and all local supporters of Obama, while inspiring residents to vote.

"I hope people will be willing to get out and vote," Harris said. "If we don't vote, this isn't worth much."