Hawaii

‘The state is watching’: Participants gather to share hugs — and strength — at Lahaina unity march

Published

5 months ago

January 21, 2024

‘The state is watching’: Participants gather to share hugs — and strength — at Lahaina unity march

LAHAINA (HawaiiNewsNow) – It has been almost six months since a firestorm leveled Lahaina, killing at least 100 people and leaving thousands of residents homeless.

To commemorate all that was lost, thousands gathered on Saturday for a unity march and rally described as both an opportunity for healing — and a chance to move forward together.

“It’s amazing that we can all come together, especially Hawaii as a whole,” Lahaina fire survivor and attendee Stephanie Smythe. “From the other islands, they’ve come to support us and embrace us, and that means the world. I think the state now is watching Lahaina. We can be the trailblazers.”

The disaster that claimed Lahaina is the worst U.S. wildfire in more than a century.

Many are still in mourning — and that was clear as participants walked along the Lahaina Bypass for the Houlu Lahaina Unity Gathering on Saturday morning. There were plenty of tears and embraces.

Native Hawaiian leader Walter Ritte and his ohana (family) came from Molokai to be a part of the event and offer encouragement to residents. “This was the capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom and then all of a sudden … tourism took over,” Ritte said. “We came in order to encourage the Hawaiians over here to organize and try to get a Hawaiian future for this place.”

Participants flew in from various islands, even the continent, to stand with the people of Lahaina.

“Justice will be restored for the people in Maui. The entire country is behind you, and we are here to say, ‘Maui Strong!’” said Raffi Kassabian, who flew in from Los Angeles just for the gathering.

But some local leaders chose not to participate, like community advocacy group Lahaina Strong, because Gov. Josh Green was invited. They feel government officials, including the governor, aren’t doing enough to find long-term housing for thousands of wildfire survivors.

“I understand their frustrations, I really do. But to rebuild an entire town and support an entire people is very challenging, but very necessary. So, I understand. I feel their pain and I absorbed part of it when we’re together. We’re gonna continue to do everything we can,” Green told HNN.

Everyone walked down Hokiokio Place and made their way to Launiupoko Beach Park for a Hoolaulea.

There, they were greeted by whales and waa (canoes), including the famed Hokulea and Hikianalia.

From there, more cultural protocols, but most importantly — unity.

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Related Topics:displaced Featured fire gathering Houlu Lahaina Lele Aloha march Maui residents survivors unity walk

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Hawaii

Golf tourney to benefit Hawaii Island Humane Society – West Hawaii Today

Published

1 hour ago

July 3, 2024

Press Room

The Hawaii Island Humane Society is hosting a charity golf tournament fundraiser on Saturday for its facility and programs.

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Hawaii

Group of Hawaii wildland firefighters in Washington state to help battle large wildfire

Published

9 hours ago

July 2, 2024

Press Room

Group of Hawaii wildland firefighters in Washington state to help battle large wildfire

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A group of wildland firefighters from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is in Washington State to help battle a large wildfire burning in the remote wilderness.

Nearly 5,000 acres in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest have burned in the Pioneer Fire. At last check, the fire was 7% contained.

With Tuesday marking National Wildland Firefighter Day, the National Park Service is putting out a call to hire more wildland firefighters.

Park officials said it’s a career that will take firefighters to national parks across the country.

Those who are interested can click here for more details.

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Hawaii

Christian clubs win legal victory in Hawaii – The Lion

Published

16 hours ago

July 2, 2024

Press Room

Christian clubs win legal victory in Hawaii – The Lion

After-school Christian clubs won a legal victory in Hawaii after alleging suing over discrimination by public school officials.

A Hawaii district court granted Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) of Hawaii a preliminary injunction on Thursday.

CEF filed its initial lawsuit in January, claiming the state education department and local public school leaders were discriminating against CEF’s Good News Clubs.

The clubs are part of an interdenominational program for 5- to 12-year-olds and boast nearly 85,000 clubs worldwide, including 6,200 in the U.S.

According to CEF’s complaint, Good News Clubs were denied access to public school facilities because of their religious nature and, in some instances, made to pay rental fees not required of nonreligious groups.

“Defendants’ policies of unequal access, pretextual denials, and hostility to CEF’s religious message violate the Constitution and have denied some Hawaii elementary school students access to free, positive, and character-building Good News Clubs that enrich countless students’ lives in other Hawaii schools and throughout the country,” the lawsuit read.

The Hawaii court granted an injunction in favor of the Christian clubs, directing the state to provide CEF “equal access” to school facilities that are “made available to other similarly situated nonprofit organizations” such as Boy Scouts or Girls on the Run.

“This is a great victory for Child Evangelism Fellowship, parents, and the students in Hawaii public schools,” said Mat Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel, which is representing the plaintiffs. “The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that public schools cannot discriminate against Christian viewpoints regarding use of school facilities.

“Child Evangelism Fellowship gives children a safe space that offers moral and character development from a Christian viewpoint. Good News Clubs should be in every public elementary school.”

Staver also noted in January that CEF has never lost a lawsuit for equal access.

Even so, the group continues to face discrimination from public schools.

Last year, CEF sued a Rhode Island district for equal access to school property and won. Other clubs – such as the Fellowship for Christian Athletes – have also had to fight for their rights to meet on campus.

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