LIHUE — Protests over the election of president-elect Donald Trump have popped up all over the nation, in particular, the West Coast of the United States. While Honolulu had over 1,100 protesters at an anti-Trump rally over the weekend, there
LIHUE — Protests over the election of president-elect Donald Trump have popped up all over the nation, in particular, the West Coast of the United States.
While Honolulu had over 1,100 protesters at an anti-Trump rally over the weekend, there hasn’t been much, if any, political unrest on Kauai.
One woman, however, has been peacefully protesting the election at different spots around the island.
“I started protesting immediately, the next day (following the general election),” Anne Punohu told The Garden Island. “If you think that you’re going to benefit from a Trump presidency, even as a person of color, people need to know that he is not in your corner … if we, in Hawaii, are going to be nice and aloha and bend over and say that this is about the peaceful transfer of power, then America is over.”
Punohu said she has received some negative feedback from those driving or walking by, but is adamant that nothing will stop her from protesting what she believes in.
One car drove past Punohu and the driver yelled “go home!” as she stood in silent protest.
“I’m just trying to be one voice,” Punohu said. “Because it’s making me feel better. It is helping me with my grief and anger. It lets me know that I can fight through this, but what bothers me is that I’m out there by myself. Well, I assume that I’m out there by myself.”
As to why there aren’t any other protesters joining Punohu or are visible during the day, Punohu points out how that making a scene isn’t something locals like to do.
“I think in general, our makeup in Hawaii, we’re known for being aloha and nice,” Ponohu said. “Generally, people don’t want to make a face and want to keep their head down.”
