I equate Hawaii's politics, to the rest of the nation, as the following:

Hawaii Democrats are really old school Democrats, which the Republican Party on the mainland is seen as today. 

Hawaii Republicans are really the new Democrats, elitist and exclusive, something which the Democratic party on the mainland is seen today. 

Perhaps if Democrats here continue to work on developing the working class - affordable housing, economic development opportunities, we might still be seen in a positive light in Washington.