Here are some more photographs from the rail reception that Pacific Resource Partnership hosted in Washington Tuesday night. The reception was held at Bistro Bis, an upscale French bistro near Capitol Hill. 

Sen. Daniel Inouye has a tendency to quiet a room when he enters. Among this group, he broke the silence by cracking jokes. After scanning the spread of food and drink, Inouye drew laughter when he said: “You know, there are cheaper places than this. Very expensive.”

Sen. Daniel Akaka greeted attendees — including City Council Chairman Ernie Martin, pictured at right — with an enthusiastic “aloooooha!”

Honolulu City Council members Breene Harimoto, Ann Kobayashi and Ikaika Anderson are among those clapping following Akaka’s welcoming remarks. 

A waiter told DC808 that the 40-person group had gone through about 10 bottles of wine after two hours. Inouye was sure to note — with a grin — that his beverage was Coca-Cola. 

Martin, Inouye and Kobayashi share a laugh.

The tall gentleman, center, is Washington-based rail lobbyist Denis Dwyer. He’s chatting with Honolulu Deputy Managing Director Chrystn Eads. To the right of Dwyer: City Council member Romy Cachola. 

Inouye teased his hosts for the lack of local food at the event: “I thought you’d have spam musubi,” he ribbed. “Who in Hawaii eats cheese?” 

Read Civil Beat’s full story about the event.