Kaua‘i celebrates Biden/Harris inauguration

LIHU‘E — Pockets of local inauguration celebrations joined the national event that took place in Washington, DC as President Joe Biden became the 46th president of the United States.

“I got to watch it, this morning,” a volunteer at the Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort said while awaiting the first cars of the food distribution for its furloughed employees. “I got up a little after 5 a.m. and my husband already had the TV on. I got to see it until it was time to leave for work.”

Sharon Mitchell got to watch the inaugural events on television, too.

“I watched the whole thing on TV,” Mitchell said. “The inauguration address was so dignified.”

Mitchell went beyond the televised event, collecting Biden/Harris campaign signs and meeting about half a dozen of her friends to celebrate on the sidewalk on Rice Street fronting the historic County Building that had its main entry doors shuttered because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“They told us to stay home and not make waves,” Mitchell said. “We’re not making waves, we’re celebrating the inauguration. Today is Inauguration Day!”

Mitchell showed off the special shirt she designed just for the occasion.

“This was done for a fundraiser,” Mitchell said. “But I ended up giving some to my friends, and I ended up paying for everything on my own.”

Cyndi Ayonon of the Zonta Club of Kaua‘i joined Edie Ignacio Neumiller in wearing pearls to the food distribution event at the Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort in Po‘ipu.

“I have my pearls on,” Ayonon said. “This is for Kamala Harris. She is our first female Vice President. This wearing of pearls is a global thing. I read about it a few days ago, and today, I’m wearing my pearls for the Vice President. Kamala Harris is the first woman Vice President in our nation’s history, and the first woman of color and Asian ancestry. This is a woman’s empowerment thing.”