"A lot of people are saying that he's a real American idol."

Here's how a Hawaiian newspaper headlines an article about Major General Antonio Taguba, who authored the report on the abuse of the Iraqi prisoners and who lived in Hawaii as a teenager: "Leilehua grad turns out to be 'real American idol.'" That gives some perspective on what a big deal Jasmine Trias and American Idol are to Hawaiians. Here's a typical Hawaiian newspaper article all about how important it is for Hawaiians to vote for Jasmine. People should not marvel over her survival.