Hawaii Island Roving Peace Vigil
Report on the islandwide roving peace vigil.
Saturday, April 10
* 9-10 a.m. Bayfront Hilo,
* 11 a.m.-noon Honokaa (Highway by Tex’s Drive In)
* 1-2 p.m. Waimea fronting Foodland,
* 3-4 p.m. Waikoloa Village by Shopping Center
Sunday, April 11
* 9-10 a.m. Volcano Highway 11 Wright Road
* 11 a.m.-noon Naalehu theater
* 1-2 p.m. Captain Cook across Manago Hotel,
* 3-4 p.m. Kailua Pier
The two day around the island peace vigil calling for an end to the wars and redirecting military spending toward education and other human needs went well We started in Hilo bayfront on Sat. at 9AM which was very busy with lots of people getting ready for the Merrie Monarch parade. Our signs against the war and calling for “Schools NOT War, jobs not war, bring the troops home, Rescue the troops from war, etc. were well received. We handed out a lot of leaflets about 54 cents of every federal tax dollar going to the military while less than 2 cents goes to education.
Danny Li headed the Hilo contingent of 7 that traveled to Honoka’a and then on to Waimea and Waikoloa Village where they were joined by others against the wars. In Waimea and Waikoloa there were several war supporters counter demonstrating. In Hilo there was a lone woman. They were all part of a group called “The Gathering of Eagles.’ or what Danny Li called “the screaming eagles” for some of their members who shouted disrespectful, screaming insults.
On Sunday 4 of us from east Hawaii first traveled to Volcano, where we were joined by a dozen others, including Hawaii Independence supported Calvin Kaleiwahea. Caki and Robert Kennedy helped bring out Volcano residents to join the vigil. There were 2 pro-war counter demonstrators.
Next stop was Na’alehu where we were joined by Ka’u resident Sterling Robbins. A few pro-war demonstrators stood on the opposite side of the street from us while people traveled between us on their way to church which was a rather odd scene. Who would Jesus bomb?
At Captain Cook there was a strong showing by south Kona residents against the war including faithful Shannon Rudolph. Anti-war people nearly doubled the number of pro war sign waivers. Only in Kailua-Kona were we out numbered by “the screaming eagles.” We were joined by several youth who despite being yelled at by the screaming eagles to not take our “propaganda” leaflet, did in fact take a leaflet and help a protest sign against the war.
Among the insults hurled by some screaming eagles (not all the eagles mind you) were “losers, dope smokers, communists, get a job. I’ve learned a long time ago to take my mother’s advice: ” Do not return insult for insult. Take the high road. Let insults go like water off a duck’s back.”
The screaming eagles carried lots of big American flags. There were always more flags than people. Some of their signs were curious: “The Big islands wants/needs more military.” “We need more bombs.” Especially troubling was hearing one of the screaming eagles scream “NUKE ‘EM”
All total, over the 2 days, dozens of island residents took to the streets to stand for peace against war; to say that our priorities are upside down. Spending 54 cents out of every federal tax dollar on the military and 2 cents on education is nuts. It’s time to put our kids back in school, open the libraries, and furlough the warmakers and arms merchants, instead of teachers and students.
Mahalo to all,
Jim Albertini
