Here is a brief report of the TPP protest:  (photos to follow)

Hawaii had a a very spirited protest against TPP on Sat. March 14th from 11-1PM at the Waikoloa Marriott Beach Hotel. More than 60 people gathered on the highway fronting the hotel property and held signs and banners against TPP for the first hour and leaflets were handed out to passing vehicles at the traffic light. (Leaflet below).  People came from all over the island and included Native Hawaiian leaders, ILWU  Union members, peace, environmental and anti-GMO activists, etc.  Signs and banners included: “Secret meetings taking place here.” “NO TPP –Backroom deal -License to Steal,” TPP Kills Jobs, Kills Nature, Kills Home Rule.”  “Stop TPP Fast Track –People Before Profits.” There were even signs in Japanese against TPP.  The response from those passing by in vehicles and on foot was very positive.

At 12 noon, about 30 people moved from the highway to the King’s trail area near the King and Queen marketplace areas of the resort complex to continue the protest and hand out leaflets to TPP delegates passing by on the sidewalks to and from the nearby restaurants and shops.  The King’s trail is a public trail where free speech rights must be recognized within resort private property.  Some delegates passing by wanted their pictures taken next to a protest vehicle truck with magnetic signs that read “No TPP: People Power Not 1% Rule.” and “No TPP –No License to Steal.” Hotel security were upset that the truck was parked in the parking area clearly marked “King’s Trail Parking Area.”  They wanted the truck removed but protesters stood firm.
At the King’s trail, several county police eventually arrived and I heard one of the officers falsely assert that the trail was private hotel property.  But the protests continued.

Another dozen protesters went to walk the public shoreline area carrying protest signs and offer informational leaflets to people on the beach fronting the resort.  Hotel security again tried to dispute people’s first amendment rights on the shoreline and the legal definition of the shoreline which is “the high wash of the high seasonal surf,” not the low or high tide mark.  When protesters turned their cameras on to record the encounter, the security supervisor refused to say another word and left the area.

No arrests were made throughout the day.  The protest was peaceful.  Still, people’s rights of peaceful protest need to be clarified and respected by hotel security and police on Hawaii’s public trails and shorelines.  And of course corporations, and things like TPP, trampling on peoples rights and destroying the earth need to be stopped by united global citizen action.
Jim Albertini for Malu ‘Aina

ALOHA ‘AINA “DAY OF ACTION”

AGAINST TPP & FOR

HOME RULE, SOVEREIGNTY,

DEMOCRACY AND TRANSPARENCY

      Secret international TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnershp) trade talks are taking place March 9-15, 2015 at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott and Waikoloa Hilton Hotels. TPP has been described as NAFTA (North American Free-Trade Agreement) on steroids. It is a totally non-transparent meeting of the world’s “1%” to negotiate a mega-treaty that would give ultimate power to corporations like Wal-Mart, Monsanto, Goldman-Sachs, Philip Morris, Apple, G.E., GM, etc.

      This is big!  We need to put the emergency brake on Fast Tracking of TPP. It will grant corporate domination of county, state, and national sovereignty, threaten native peoples’ land, sacred sites and traditional customs and practices, jobs, labor rights, and the environment. TPP will increase the gap between rich and poor, and result in further militarization in the Pacific. All to benefit corporate profits and the super rich 1%.

• TPP will offshore millions of good-paying jobs to low-wage nations, undercutting working conditions globally and increasing unemployment.
• TPP will expand pharmaceutical monopoly protections and institute longer patents that will  decrease access to affordable medications
• TPP will potentially limit GMO Home Rule laws, GMO labeling, and allow the import of goods that do not meet US safe standards.
• TPP will encourage the privatization of lands and natural resources in areas where indigenous people live.
• TPP will roll back Wall Street regulations, prohibit bans on risky financial services, and establish international corporate tribunals to collect damages from governments that hurt corporate profits.

Countries involved: U.S. Japan, Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam.

Hawai’i Loa Ku Like Kakou! All Hawai’i & the Pacific Stand Together!

Contact: Malu `Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action P.O. Box 489 Kurtistown, Hawai`i 96760.
Phone (808) 966-7622. Email: ja@malu-aina.org http://www.malu-aina.org

Aloha kakou,
Those heading from Hilo to the Waikoloa Marriott for the 11-1PM protest of TPP on Saturday, March 14, 2015, please stop at the parking area at the corner of Komohana and Saddle Rd near Puainakao to help with carpooling if you have extra room in your vehicle.  Cars should leave that area for Waikoloa at 9AM.  People need rides and we can reduce the number of vehicles traveling.
Mahalo for your kokua.

Below is a leaflet for distribution at the protest and a non-violent code of conduct for the TPP protest.
Jim —

Jim Albertini Malu ‘Aina Center For Non-violent Education & Action P.O. Box AB Ola’a (Kurtistown) Hawai’i 96760 Phone 808-966-7622 Email ja@malu-aina.org Visit us on the web at www.malu-aina.org

Mahalo for joining the Aloha ‘Aina Day of Action

Against TPP and For Home-Rule, Sovereignty, Democracy, and Transparency.

March 14, 2015 Waikoloa Beach Resorts 11-1PM

We have come to affirm our right of peaceful protest of TPP (so called Trans-Pacific Partnership)and to affirm positive values of aloha ‘aina. We stand in the spirit of aloha and we ask that everyone adhere to the principles of non-violence. This means if hostility is directed at us, we return aloha, and not engage with the hostility. Please spread out, do not block each others signs, and be very careful of traffic. Stay off the roadway. Wave to passing cars and spread aloha. Please abide by the following:

Nonviolent Action Code of Conduct

1. Our attitude will be one of openness and respect toward all we encounter in our actions.
2. We will use no violence, verbal or physical, toward any person.
3. We will not harm anyone, and we will not retaliate in reaction to violence.
4. We will not carry weapons.
5. We will neither be under the influence nor bring any non-prescribed drugs or alcohol.
6. We will neither bring dogs nor other animals, except for service animals.
7. During our demonstration we will not run nor make threatening motions.
8. In case of any confrontation, we will sit down.
9. We will not destroy or damage property.

Following sign holding on the highway from 11-12 noon, participants may want to consider some options:

1. Continue holding signs from 12-1PM on the highway fronting the Waikoloa resorts.
2. To hold signs from 12-1PM on the King’s trail as the trail intersects the roadway to the Waikoloa Marriott Beach and Hilton Hotels. Parking for the King’s trail is available at the King’s Market Place. Please stay on the trail (which is quite narrow) and do not block or impede traffic — pedestrian or vehicle. The King’s Trail is public. The surrounding area is private and off limits to free-speech. We will have leaflets to offer to people passing on the sidewalks, including TPP participants. (Those wanting to join the King’s trail protest please wear red arm bands.)
3. To walk and hold signs on the public shoreline fronting the Waikoloa Beach Marriott at ‘Anaeho’omalu Bay. The road to the Bay, the parking lot, and the beach are private and off limits to protest. What is public is the shoreline, defined as the high wash of the high seasonal surf. That’s a gray area so to avoid possible conflict, please stay below the high wash of the waves at high tide. We could walk the length of the beach and back holding signs. We will have leaflets to offer to people within the shoreline area only, not to people on the general beach (private property) area. (The parking lot at the beach is likely to be filled at 12 noon. Those with trucks could shuttle people to and from the shoreline from the Kings marketplace near the King’s trail. (Those wanting to join the shoreline protest please wear yellow arm bands.)

Both the King’s Trail and shoreline sign holding and leafleting increase the risk of possible hostile encounters either by members of the public, hotel security and/or police. Those undertaking this action need to be aware of this, prepare yourself for this possibility, even though these areas are clearly public access areas where free-speech rights should apply. No arrests are planned. This is a peaceful assertion of our right to protest and to affirm aloha ‘aina over TPP. Mahalo for your aloha.

Malu ‘Aina Center For Non-violent Education & Action P.O. Box 489 Ola’a (Kurtistown) Hawai’i 96760
Phone 808-966-7622 Email ja@malu-aina.org www.malu-aina.org

ALOHA ‘AINA “DAY OF ACTION”

AGAINST TPP & FOR

HOME RULE, SOVEREIGNTY,

DEMOCRACY AND TRANSPARENCY

Secret international TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnershp) trade talks are taking place March 9-15, 2015 at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott and Waikoloa Hilton Hotels. TPP has been described as NAFTA (North American Free-Trade Agreement) on steroids. It is a totally non-transparent meeting of the world’s “1%” to negotiate a mega-treaty that would give ultimate power to corporations like Wal-Mart, Monsanto, Goldman-Sachs, Philip Morris, Apple, G.E., GM, etc.

      This is big!  We need to put the emergency brake on Fast Tracking of TPP. It will grant corporate domination of county, state, and national sovereignty, threaten native peoples’ land, sacred sites and traditional customs and practices, jobs, labor rights, and the environment. TPP will increase the gap between rich and poor, and result in further militarization in the Pacific. All to benefit corporate profits and the super rich 1%.

• TPP will offshore millions of good-paying jobs to low-wage nations, undercutting working conditions globally and increasing unemployment.
• TPP will expand pharmaceutical monopoly protections and institute longer patents that will  decrease access to affordable medications
• TPP will potentially limit GMO Home Rule laws, GMO labeling, and allow the import of goods that do not meet US safe standards.
• TPP will encourage the privatization of lands and natural resources in areas where indigenous people live.
• TPP will roll back Wall Street regulations, prohibit bans on risky financial services, and establish international corporate tribunals to collect damages from governments that hurt corporate profits.

Countries involved: U.S. Japan, Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam.

Hawai’i Loa Ku Like Kakou! All Hawai’i & the Pacific Stand Together!

Contact: Malu `Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action P.O. Box 489 Kurtistown, Hawai`i 96760.
Phone (808) 966-7622. Email: ja@malu-aina.org http://www.malu-aina.org

ALOHA ‘AINA “DAY OF ACTION”

AGAINST TPP & FOR

HOME RULE, SOVEREIGNTY,

DEMOCRACY AND TRANSPARENCY

Saturday, March 14, 11:00-1:00 p.m.

Peaceful Protest to take place at

Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway entrance to Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort

This is big!  We need to mobilize for Aloha ‘Aina.  TPP is NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) on steroids. It will grant corporate domination of county, state, and national sovereignty, threaten jobs, the environment, sacred sites and native peoples’ rights and land, labor rights, increase the gap between rich and poor, and increase militarization in the Pacific, and more. All to benefit the 1%.

Aloha ‘Aina Peaceful pickets of TPP are also encouraged throughout the week of March 9-15,  on the highway fronting the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort, along the King’s Trail near the King and Queen’s Marketplaces, and on the public shoreline fronting the Waikoloa Beach Marriott and Hilton Hotels. Aloha ‘Aina boat and canoe ocean flotilla pickets are also encouraged. Please pass this message on to others. Mahalo.

Hawai’i Loa Ku Like kakou!   All Hawai’i Stand Together!

1. Mourn all victims of violence. 2. Reject war as a solution. 3. Defend civil liberties. 4. Oppose all discrimination, anti-Islamic, anti-Semitic, anti-Hawaiian, etc. 5. Seek peace through justice in Hawai`i and around the world.
   Contact: Malu `Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action P.O. Box 489 Kurtistown, Hawai`i 96760.
   Phone (808) 966-7622. Email:ja@malu-aina.org http://www.malu-aina.org

Hilo Peace Vigil leaflet (March 13, 2015 – 703rd week) – Friday 3:30-5PM downtown Post Office

Photos below by Danny Li taken at Waikoloa  today March 10, 2015
Security officer Richard Kornfield and Malu ‘Aina president Jim Albertini

Press Release for Immediate Release Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Regarding: Protesters win right to protest TPP on the Waikoloa Shoreline and Kings Trail in preparation for a larger protest on Sat. March 14th from 11-1PM
further contact: Jim Albertini of Malu ‘Aina 966-7622, email ja@malu-aina.org

“A delegation from Malu ‘Aina today won the right to protest the Secret TPP trade negotiations taking place at the Waikoloa Marriottt and Hilton resorts the week of March 9-15, by big corporations and representatives from 12 countries” said Jim Albertini of Malu Aina.  Albertini said, “today was a ‘test the waters” so to speak, to affirm people’s right to protest on the shoreline and the Kings Trail in the Waikoloa resort area, as well as on the highway fronting the resort.”  Albertini said, ” after an initial shoreline protest fronting the Hilton Waikoloa, our delegation was confronted by security officer, Richard Kornfield of Jan Guard security for Waikoloa (phone 329-1313) on the public access road to the shoreline fronting the Waikoloa Beach Marriott at ‘Anaeho’omalu Bay.  Officer Kornfield initially tried to block our protest. (Photo available upon request.) We asserted our public access and free speech rights to the high wash of the high seasonal surf on the shoreline and also on the Kings trail as legitimate places of peaceful protest surrounded by private property.  Officer Kornfield originally told us we had to protest in at least four feet of water from the low tide mark of the shoreline.  He later came back and said after checking with higher ups, his definition of the shoreline was wrong, and he also yielded on our right to protest on the King’s Trail.”
Albertini said “At our noontime signing holding along the King’s Trail where it intersects the main road to the Waikoloa resorts we encountered a number of TPP meeting delegates from several of the 12 countries represented, including Japan, Australia, Vietnam, etc.  Some of the delegates walking by the King’s trail on the sidewalk near the King and Queen’s Marketplace tried to hide their TPP badges.  Some of our signs read: “No TPP –Backroom deal; License to Steal.”  TPP kills Jobs, TPP Kills Nature, TPP Kills Home Rule, TPP – Corporate Cout d’etat.  No TPP–People Power not 1% Rule.”  Albertini said, “I sensed a number of the delegates felt shame in what they were doing.”

Albertini said, “a Hilo community free forum open to the public on the subject of TPP will be held on Wednesday, March 11th beginning at 6PM at the Hilo Women’s Club, 7 Lele St. off Waianuenue Ave.  Speakers at that forum will include Juliet Begley, Americans for Democratic Action, Hawaii Island, Palikapu Dedman, Pele Defense Fund and Ohana Ho’opakele, Hawaii Island, and Dr. Jane Kelsey, University of Auckland, New Zealand.  A Kona free forum open to the public will be held on Friday, March 13th 6PM at the Council Chambers, West Hawaii Civic Center 74-5044 Ane Keohakalole Highway in Kailua-Kona and will include additional speakers:  Sanya Reid-Smith, Third World Network, Malaysia and Eric Gill, UNITE HERE, Local 5!, Honolulu.”

Albertini said “on Sat. March 14th there will be An Aloha ‘Aina Day of Action Against TPP and for FOR HOME RULE, SOVEREIGNTY, DEMOCRACY AND TRANSPARENCY.  The peaceful protest will take place from 11-1PM at the Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway entrance to Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort.”  Albertini also said, “Aloha ‘Aina Peaceful pickets of TPP are also encouraged throughout the week of March 9-15,  on the highway fronting the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort, along the King’s Trail near the King and Queen’s Marketplaces, and on the public shoreline fronting the Waikoloa Beach Marriott and Hilton Hotels. Aloha ‘Aina boat and canoe ocean flotilla pickets are also encouraged.”

Albertini said, “there is some information about the dangerous implications of TPP on the www.malu-aina.org website. A very good 2 minute video by former U.S. Labor Secretary, Robert Reich explaining TPP can be seen here  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3O_Sbbeqfdw

Albertini said, “the community forums and the March 14th protest of TPP on Hawaii Island are being organized by an ad hoc committee of citizens.  Those involved extend an open invitation to all residents and visitors to join the peaceful events and ask for others to pass the word about the events on the flyer below. Mahalo and aloha.”