KILAUEA — There is no question on the intent of a sign that greets visitors to the Kilauea community, as its “Vote” message is emblazoned in red against a striking white background.
Bill Troutman, one of the community leaders, said that the banner, like the gigantic anti-drug message, was one of many that have been contributed to the community by Matthew Hicks of Sunrise Signs.
Hicks’ wife is a teacher at the Kilauea School, and on numerous occasions when the community has needed signs, they’ve gone to Hicks, who ends up either contributing the banner at no cost, or at minimal cost to the community.
Troutman said that the giant anti-drug banner that sits on a fence across the Shell gas station was donated by Hicks as a community service because Hicks is familiar with the drug problem.
While growing up, Hicks’ family lived in the close vicinity of a drug house, and with the aid of police was in the thick of the action when the police used the Hicks’ family home as a reconnaissance site, and then as a base of operations on a raid that finally shut down the drug house.
This has stayed with him, and resulted in a banner that went beyond Troutman’s expectations when it was finally presented.
Initially, the banner was placed on Kuhio Highway, but due to complaints the banner was relocated to a site off the main highway, where Troutman said the first night it sat in its new location, vandals spray-painted it.
But, the damage was caught early enough to be corrected, and the banner was finally moved to its final location near a church, where it reminds people of the ongoing drug war.
In addition to the community reminder to vote, Troutman, who also serves as one of the instructors for poll workers, said that they’ve found that they can recycle some of the July Fourth decorations and are already in the process of sprucing up the Kilauea Neighborhood Center polling site.
Troutman said Hicks believes that when people vote, it helps to make a difference.
Saturday’s primary election takes place throughout the state from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m., but the polls will stay open until the last person in line at 6 p.m. has had an opportunity to exercise their right to vote.
Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@pulitzer.net.
