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True to form, the titular head of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, Gov. Neil Abercrombie, fired up the faithful and insisted that President Barack Obama will be returned to the presidency.

He also said the party had a great opportunity to retain control of the U.S. Senate and wrest the U.S. House of Representatives from Republican Party control. That opportunity includes critical House and Senate battles right here in Hawaii.

“This party is coming together all across the islands in a way that it hasn’t in years,” he said at the party’s convention Friday night at the Sheraton Waikiki.

But the governor also warned that there is an attack on women in the country, including on abortion rights — an issue in which Hawaii moved quicker than most states to legalize.

“We are going to fight back in this election,” he said. “There is a war on our basic values.”

Abercrombie also took a swipe at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce daring to suggest that Linda Lingle, the former GOP governor and current U.S. Senate candidate, would work in a bipartisan fashion with Obama.

And, the governor addressed the divisions that are evident in his party, including between the candidates for the Senate, Mazie Hirono and Ed Case, and the Hawaii Second Congressional District.

The word at the convention was that neither Mufi Hannemann, the former Honolulu mayor, nor Honolulu Council member Tulsi Gabbard would participate in a CD2 candidate forum Saturday night.

“There has been some misinformation out there,” said Abercrombie. “I expect every Democrat in (the CD2 race) to be here!”

He added, “We are Democrats. We are not afraid to speak to one another.”

Clear Divisions

Abercrombie said the divisions and disagreements among Democrats was nothing new, and pointed out that the party would work out its difference and emerge united come Sunday.

That is the day it will honor U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka — aka “Uncle Danny” — and gather for a final rally.

But the two people vying to replace the retiring Akaka will address delegates on separate days: Case on Saturday, Hirono on Sunday.

Earlier Friday, Party Chair Dante Carpenter announced that candidates would no longer have to pay $500 a minute to hold a convention rally.

Up to that point, only Hirono, whose campaign is well-funded, accepted the fee.

But there is clearly no love between Case and Hirono, and on Friday the Hirono camp attacked Case about Hirono in which he mentioned Hirono’s mother.

Case’s point was that Hirono talks a lot about her mother but very little about issues facing Hawaii. But Hirono took offense.

Case has also dogged Hirono for agreeing only to limited debate and joint forum appearances rather than a televised statewide debate. Their first joint appearance is set for Tuesday … unless someone cancels.

Meantime, Gabbard has been refusing to show up at CD2 forums unless Hannemann, the perceived frontrunner, is also there. It includes a debate on Maui’s Akaku cable television next week.

Hannemann’s name was not listed on an early version of the Democrats’ convention schedule, but Gabbard, Esther Kiaaina, Bob Marx and Rafael Del Castillo were listed.

Then came talk that another candidate — Miles Shiratori, like Del Castillo considered a longshot for the primary — would also attend.

And then came word that Gabbard would not.

I did spy Hirono Friday night at the Sheraton ballroom but looked in vain for Gabbard, Hannemann or Case. A party spokeswoman confirmed the three were absent, as was U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa.

Abercrombie seemed unconcerned about the drama.

In his remarks he said Democrats were better organized than they had been in three decades.

“We are mobilizing all across the state,” he said. “This is less about individuals than it is about the party.”

Likening the differences to the ones that also divided the Hawaii Legislature — such as over the environment and Native Hawaiian issues — the governor declared, “That’s what the Democratic Party is all about. We have these discussions, and then we move forward.”