In thinking about this issue you brought up, PNW Mike (which by the way, thank you), I realized that there is more to it than just the 1954 Democratic Revolution and the overall changes in the political scope in this state. 

Keep in mind that, before the changeover in 1954, the Republican Party (if you really want to call it that) was in charge of everything in this state for 70 years prior. To assume that, before 1954 we in this state (or territory at that time) seemed to have some sort of choice on the matter of voting is really looking at the past with rose coloured glasses. 

Which leads me to the point of how Hawaii society looks at the representatives of their government. It is much more top down leadership than pretty much any other state in the union. And unlike other states, this type of leadership is not eschewed by the people, but almost embraced like a parent. 

Is it good? Is it bad? Well, that is for the people of Hawaii to figure out and not the pol. parties.