HONOLULU (AP) _ Barack Obama inched closer to securing the Democratic presidential nomination Sunday after picking up three superdelegate votes in Hawaii.

Obama gained the support of three new state party leaders chosen to represent Hawaii at the August national convention in Denver: party Chairman Brian Schatz, Vice Chairwoman Kari Luna and retired Judge James Burns.

Burns, a friend of Obama's, said the Hawaii-born senator encouraged him to run for the delegate position.

"I think we need a change," Burns said. "I believe his message, and besides, he's a local boy."

Obama has a total of 1,977 delegates nationally, just 49 delegates short of the 2,026 needed to clinch the nomination. Clinton has 1,779.

Sunday's votes, which came as Hawaii Democrats concluded their state convention, gave Obama seven of the state's nine superdelegates. Among Hawaii's pledged delegates, Obama leads Clinton 14-6.

U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye and Democratic National Committee member Richard Port are the two superdelegates supporting Obama's rival Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Inouye, who was unable to attend the convention, said in a recorded speech that he remains committed to Clinton.

"If I give you my word, you can take it to the bank," he said. "I've done that with Senator Hillary Clinton because I believe she would make a good president."

But Inouye added that he would fully support the Democratic presidential nominee no matter who it is.

U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, who attended the convention and spoke Sunday, called for unity among Democrats to ensure the party wins the presidency and takes the nation in a "positive direction."

"Whatever the final results, I know all of you ... will close ranks behind our candidate no matter who he or she may be," said Akaka, a superdelegate who has endorsed Obama.

Schatz told delegates that Democrats fight but eventually put aside their differences.

"Unlike Republicans, we don't eat our young," he joked.

He said the party needs to focus on fundraising and organizing at the neighborhood level.