‘No Kings’ events across the state draw crowds in protest of Trump administration

A “No Kings” event on Maui drew a crowd of demonstrators along Kaʻahumanu Avenue in Kahului, stretching from the Wākea Avenue intersection, past South Kāne Street on Saturday afternoon.

The event was part of a nationwide “No Kings” protest organized by several grassroots groups to denounce President Donald Trump and to protect democracy.

The estimated 2,000 plus nationwide rallies coincided with a controversial military parade in Washington, D.C., that was held to celebrate the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary and Flag Day, as well as Trump’s 79th birthday.

A separate event along Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway in Kailua-Kona was one of four held on Hawaiʻi Island, Saturday.

Marine veteran Bill Shriner sat in a chair holding a shadow box that held all his medals and a sign that said: “A marine says no king.”

The 88-year-old and his wife and son were among the hundreds of people, young and old, who congregated along the highway in solidarity during the “No Kings Day of Defiance.”

In Kona, the protesters were peaceful and passionate.

“Trump is a threat. He’s a dishonest man,” Shriner said. “He lies and he has no idea what he’s doing because he’s so stupid he doesn’t know how stupid he is.”

Some people attended due to their concern over Trump’s aggressive immigration policy.

The Shriners saw this policy play our about six weeks ago when their neighbors in South Kona were arrested.

“These people are our friends. They’re our neighbors. They work with us,” William Shriner Jr. said. “We have coffee so they pick our coffee and what’s happening is just wrong. I mean, people come to America to find a better life and it’s just being ripped out of their hands.”

Hawai‘i County Council Member Rebecca Villegas attended the protest dressed as the Dr. Seuss character Lorax. She held a sign stating: “I speak for the trees.”

Villegas said in this case, the trees represent the people, plants, places and species under threat by Trump’s administration.

“While there is intention of protesting the injustice, the desecration and disillusion, disregard of our Constitution, what we have in Kona today is a rally of like-minded, connected, aligned, progressive and hopeful people here that still believe that our voice matters,” Villegas said. “That truth, justice, democracy will prevail. That we are stronger together than apart.”

Villegas, who represents the Kona community, has been vocal against the immigration enforcement on Hawai‘i Island since Trump took office with reports of federal immigration agents entering coffee farms to remove illegal aliens, and in one instance, taking a child from school.

Villegas said the country has already entered a dystopian nightmare of fascist dictatorship with Gestapo-like behavior, no checks and balances, and due process being disregarded.

With most people hoisting signs, Nathan Smith carried a ti leaf stock among the crowd.

“Ti leaves are often used when property is blessed to ward off bad spirits,” Smith said. “The importance of the ti leaves are we are warding off the bad spirits that are emanating from Washington, D.C., and in particular from the presidency.”

Smith, a former Big Island resident of 10 years, was visiting Kona on Saturday and thought it was important to participate in the protest.

“Democracy is only as strong as the support of its citizenry and the active protection of its sacred institutions, including the Constitution,” Smith said.

Smith thought Kona’s event was a display of great solidarity, saying: “It indicates that there’s an active and aware citizenry here on the Big Island.”

There did not appear to be any counter-protesters at the Kona event, although a Jeep drove by with a Trump/Vance flag, and American and Hawaiian flags.

Monique Perreira, Chair of the West Hawai’i Republican Party, was not at the Kona event, but said in a statement that Saturday’s rally clashed with local culture and community values because the state also celebrated King Kamehameha Day events this week, including the historic Kamehameha Day Parade and pa‘u riders in Kona.

“Their message was clear, and deeply disrespectful,” Perreira said. “The protest’s culturally insensitive theme, held during Kamehameha Day celebrations, showed a stunning lack of awareness of Hawaiʻi’s values.”

Perreira went on to say that the protests around the country (including Hawai‘i) were driven by national political messages, clashing with local culture and community values during a week meant to celebrate unity and cultural pride.

“We support free speech. But with that freedom comes responsibility,” Perreira said. “Hawaiʻi is not a stage for imported outrage. It is a land rooted in deep traditions, that deserve hoʻihi, respect.”