WAIKIKI — From elementary school kids to grandmothers, a cross section of Hawai'i residents turned out to support Barack Obama yesterday at a rally at Kapi'olani Park where U.S. Congressman Neil Abercrombie and Obama's sister fired up the crowd two days before the Democratic caucus vote.

Obama's sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng, mingled with the crowd at the park, shaking hands and having her picture taken. She urged everyone to vote for her brother, who was campaigning in Wisconsin, which holds its primary tomorrow.

Coming from the airport after stumping for her brother on Maui yesterday, Soetoro-Ng said that the public seems to be "embracing and supportive" of her brother's message.

"Hawai'i is important to Barack," Soetoro-Ng said. "He comes here every year with his wife and children. It's a real retreat for him."

Actress Kelly Hu spoke of how proud she was of Obama and his Hawai'i connection.

Hu told the crowd something they already knew: Obama has charisma.

"He has no baggage like some of the other candidates," Hu said. "He represents the diversity of Hawai'i."

The excitement surrounding the caucus is high because typically presidential primary races are already pretty much decided by the time Hawai'i votes, said Kay Hoffman, a Pacific Heights District 26 organizer.

"I support Barack Obama because he's from Hawai'i and he's a Punahou graduate," added Justin Kaneko, a 10-year-old Kaimuki resident. "I go to Punahou."

Today at 5:15 p.m. Obama is expected to call campaign workers at their Ward Warehouse volunteer center to urge them on as they work to get out the vote.

Eva Kennedy, a student at Hawai'i Pacific University, plans to be casting her ballot on Tuesday. A newcomer to the world of politics, Kennedy has been involved with the campaign by making calls to prospective voters.

"We want to make a difference," Kennedy said of the work she and her husband are doing. "Obama's already accomplished so much by bringing people together like this."

Reach Suzanne Roig at sroig@honoluluadvertiser.com.