HONOLULU (AP) -- The half sister of Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama sent a letter to hundreds of potential Hawaii supporters, debuting as an enthusiastic campaigner for her older brother.

"It's obvious that we like him a lot," wrote Maya Soetoro-Ng, 36, who lives in Honolulu, where Obama was born. "He's sharp, loving, and makes a mean chili."

Soetoro-Ng said in an e-mail letter to nearly 800 people sent Wednesday night that Obama's decision to run for the Democratic presidential nomination wasn't easy, but family members and supporters recognized the campaign is about more than winning.

"If, by running, the campaign inspires a diverse group of people across the country to come together and become politically and socially engaged, then the decision to run becomes clear; it's about making a difference, however big or small, in the lives of the people around us," she said in the letter also posted online.

The letter, signed by Soetoro-Ng and her husband Konrad Ng, kicks off a campaigning effort by Obama's family still living in Hawaii. The couple also has a 2-year-old daughter, and Obama's grandmother lives in Honolulu.

"We as a family have been talking about how to help his campaign," Soetoro-Ng wrote. "We have thought through many options, both big and small, and are working to whip some plans into action."

Obama's roots in the islands have already gained him local support. The Democratic senator from Illinois was born in Honolulu 45 years ago and lived in one of the country's most diverse metropolitan areas for the better part of 18 years. He spent four childhood years in Indonesia.

After Obama's mother, Ann Dunham, divorced Barack Obama Sr., she married Lolo Soetoro and had Maya in Indonesia. They moved to Honolulu where Obama was being looked after by his grandparents. His half sister attended the prestigious private Punahou School, where Obama graduated in 1979.

Soetoro-Ng now teaches world civilization at the private LaPietra Hawaii School for Girls and instructs night classes at University of Hawaii.

She plans to speak at a Hawaii for Obama rally on May 12 at Kawananakoa Middle School, a statewide fundraising kickoff event.

Former state Rep. Brian Schatz, Hawaii coordinator for the Obama campaign, said she's a "tremendous asset" for the campaign because she's a "great family person, articulate, an educator and has a similar charm."

Schatz said Soetoro-Ng will focus her efforts on Hawaii, but could help the campaign in other areas too. She started by writing the letter to friends, which was then distributed to other supporters.

"Barack will do much to improve international relations as well as domestic rights and realities," she wrote to supporters. "And overall, in spite of the coarseness of today's public culture, he is determined to run a smart and dignified campaign."

Obama still visits Hawaii in the winter to relax, play basketball and golf with old friends and to spend time with his family.

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On the Net:

Barack Obama: www.barackobama.com/

Hawaii for Obama: www.hawaiiforobama.org/