Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was remembered yesterday at Kukui Grove Center. Performers from every ethnic group entertained a small but happy crowd. There was everything from jazz to Filipino dancing to honor the man most responsible for bringing America’s
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was remembered yesterday at Kukui Grove Center.
Performers from every ethnic group entertained a small but happy crowd.
There was everything from jazz to Filipino dancing to honor the man most responsible for bringing America’s racial policies into the 20th century.
One of the event’s coordinators, Joanne Watanabe, sang, while the other, Juanita Powell, a retired nurse and former civil rights worker, spread cheer throughout the enthusiastic gathering crowded around the Kukui Grove stage in the heart of the mall.
Local radio personality Ron Wiley handled the emcee chores with his usual friendly aplomb.
“We are our brothers’ keepers. We should pull each other up. It’s time to think about who our family really is,” Wiley told the audience.
Afterward he said he enjoyed being a part of the first celebration honoring Dr. King on Kaua’i in recent years.
“It was a very peaceful event with all types of performers from Filipinos to hippie haoles to African Americans,” the popular dee jay noted.
Ami Vickers, an African American now living in Lihue said the mall party was her first on Kaua’i.
“It’s different in Hawai’i. It’s more of a lifestyle (issue)than racial,” she said, smiling.
There was also a group AmeriCorps workers, on the island since last Thursday, helping the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity.
All of the AmeriCorps volunteers on Kaua’i are between the ages of 18 and 24.
And all of them have volunteered 10 months of their time to help make America a better, more equitable place to live.
In return they receive $4725 at the end of their 10 months of service, and the satisfaction of helping folks all across America.
“We move around a lot,” Jennifer, from South Williamsport, Pennsylvania said.
And they came from all over, from White Bear, Minnesota to New York City to be part of the ceremony honoring Dr. King.
The African American activist has been dead now for 34 years, but Dr. King’s memory is still alive and well, on Kaua’i as well as elsewhere.
