LIHU‘E — If the October Occupy Kaua‘i event in Kapa‘a was a show of numbers, then the Historic County Building event Saturday was a show of ideas, substance and conversation. With just under 50 people, roughly a third of the
LIHU‘E — If the October Occupy Kaua‘i event in Kapa‘a was a show of numbers, then the Historic County Building event Saturday was a show of ideas, substance and conversation.
With just under 50 people, roughly a third of the amount who participated in last month’s protest in Waipouli, the group represented many walks of life, from the homeless to the homeowner, teacher and small business owner, politician and Generation Next.
The statements were as diverse as the group and the emphasis was for everyone to be heard.
The event began with a circle, prayer, short statements, and the spiritual and culturally charged poems of Kapa‘a resident Kimie Sadoyama. She said humanity has replaced the television with the smart phone, making us actively engaged but lacking an interpersonal connection.
After several speakers, organizers Toni Liljengren and others provided resource lists and cautioned against misinformation being produced about the Occupy movement. They said authentic information is produced in the open source format that is peer-reviewed for transparency.
The threat of misinformation ranges from the well intended but inaccurate uploads of supporters and opponents, to the bloggers who are paid to malign the movement. Links to Occupy sites can be found at occupykauai.org or its Facebook page.
Kaua‘i County Council member KipuKai Kuali‘i said he was unaware of Saturday’s event until he walked right into it.
He said he listened to the concerned citizens, whose perspectives ranged from prioritization of resources to shedding light on conspiracies.
“It’s about everybody in their own way standing up, speaking up and participating in a movement for economic and social justice and creating a better society,” Kuali‘i said.
The long-time community organizer said he was impressed that people from all walks of life took the time and trouble to educate themselves about the issues and then put this event together. He said it showed him that leaders need to reach out to the public and not wait for the phone calls and emails.
The group marched down Kuhio Highway to Walmart and back. Most had an opportunity to speak before rain forced the group under the shelter of the county building doorway.
Lonnie Sykos of Kapa‘a said he came out in support of a movement that recognizes the disconnect between the populace and its government. He recited Constitutional Amendments and quoted President Thomas Jefferson in saying that “in democracy you get the government you deserve.”
“We have been asleep for the past 30 years and it’s time to wake up,” Sykos said.
Andy Fitts — director of the Dharma Sanctuary, a Tibetan Buddhist Stupa in Moloa‘a — said the bailout made billions of dollars available to the large banks but has not resulted in credit for small businesses. When a $10 million business can’t get credit then something is wrong, he added.
Brian Herrick of Kapa‘a said it is important not to make the “1 percent” the target, rather to make the goal of everyone as “100 percent.”
“This is what democracy looks like,” he said.
Herrick’s concerns were of developing a sustainable economy and Kaua‘i.
“I am here for the young people who are now going into their second decade of a life without hope,” said Kip Goodman of Kapa‘a.
Government malfunction stems from the rate of wealth to the top one percent nearly doubling from 1998 to 2008, he said. More support for education and less focus on wars would give the young people hope and purpose, Goodman added.
Dan O‘Flaherty of Koloa said the problem would not be solved until the Federal Reserve is made a government agency. He blamed the lack of federal regulations and these outside entities with creating the mess that is now the nation’s burden.
Thomas Anderson, aka Mantra, said he supports the consensus movement that is finally addressing the human condition. It is “reality citizenry, honest and getting wiser,” he added.
Katherine Muzik, an author who just moved to Kapa‘a after living in Japan for seven years, said as an environmentalist and a world citizen, she believes in the universal good and the leaderless goals of the Occupy movement.
