Hawaii unlikely to get more capital from Capitol

Military demands to maintain Pearl Harbor, Schofield Barracks, Hickam Air Force Base, Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe Bay and other operations probably will remain the same for the near future, she said.

"At least on the military side, things seem pretty stable," Iboshi said. "We don't have any clue what the federal government will do, but it's not something we have any ability to change."

What may change is the effectiveness of Hawaii's leaders when they push for policies they support, such as renewable energy research and pending federal legislation that would give Hawaiians autonomy rights similar to those provided American Indians, which Obama supports.

The Department of Energy is already working with Republican Gov. Linda Lingle's administration on a goal to create 70 percent of Hawaii's energy use from clean energy sources by 2030. Hawaii is currently the most dependent state on foreign energy, and it only produces about 10 percent of its energy from renewable sources like the sun, wind, waves and volcanic gasses.

"We could be a shining example for everyone else to focus on 'green jobs' as we develop our renewable energy resources," said Robert Harris, director of the Sierra Club's Hawaii chapter. "There's a lot of optimism, and we're all still crossing our fingers and waiting to see."

Along with leading the Senate Appropriations Committee, Inouye also will retain his position as chairman of the Appropriations Defense Subcommittee. Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii, is widely expected to keep the chairmanship of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, but he could lose leadership of subcommittees dealing with homeland security, national parks or armed services readiness.

Even Hawaii's newest member of Congress may have some pull in efforts to steer money toward Hawaii, where Honolulu officials are hoping for up to $1 billion to help pay for a massive $5.5 billion rail transit system that's expected to break ground late next year. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, is a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Hawaii's congressional delegation hopes to find a sympathetic ear from Obama, who spent much of his childhood in Honolulu, Abercrombie said.

"We now have someone in the White house who understands and appreciates what's important for Hawaii. That simply hasn't happened in the past," Abercrombie said. "I don't think anyone can begrudge us a center focus with the new president."