A Sea of Smiles at Taste of Hawaii

If the Taste of Hawaii gets much bigger, it will take over Upper Senate Park.

At least a dozen lawmakers sampled some of Hawaii’s finest offerings at the second annual event, along with a crowd estimated at more than 1,000 in a spacious Dirksen Senate Office Building hearing room.

Several guests overheard Sen. Charles E. Schumer, a repeat visitor, preaching the gospel of Spam musubi. Multiple sources told HOH the New York Democrat roped Sen. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., into trying the exotic treat, and Schumer was still gushing about the magic of potted meatson his way out the door.

Democratic Sen. Mazie K. Hirono again led the event, hosted by the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii.

The popular reception followed a Hawaii on the Hill policy conference; Hirono was posted at the front door, offering floral bing and air kisses to new arrivals, while Reps. Mark Takai, D-Hawaii, and Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, mingled about inside.

Former Democratic Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie, a longtime House member, also made an appearance.

Read the entire piece at: http://hoh.rollcall.com/a-sea-of-smiles-at-taste-of-hawaii/