LIHU‘E — Hawai‘i elected officials and lawmakers watched on with the world yesterday as hundreds descended on the U.S. Capitol Building Wednesday, some inside the walls of Congress.
Gov. David Ige called the protests to undermine the presidential election “an assault on democracy and everything this country stands for.” Ige held a virtual press conference around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, suggesting blame on President Donald Trump for inciting violence in Washington, D.C. that left at least four people dead.
“I do believe he is responsible,” Ige said.
Ige also reaffirmed election results.
“The vote certification process and peaceful transition of power must be completed as required by the United States Constitution, following a free and fair election,” he said. “It is time for us to move on.”
Hawai‘i’s four congressional delegates indicated their safety and thoughts after the Capitol Building went into lockdown.
“The attack on the Capitol and our democracy is despicable, but it will not stop us from completing our constitutional duties and affirming the results of the presidential election,” Sen. Brian Schatz said.
Island-side, state Senate President Ron Kouchi called the events alarming.
“Every citizen has a fundamental right to peacefully gather and protest, but the violent breach of our nation’s capital is inexcusable,” Kouchi said.
The Hawai‘i State Capitol had its own set of demonstrators, Kouchi said, and state sheriffs were in contact with local law enforcement to allow those to exercise their rights to assemble.
In a three-Tweet statement, Rep. Ed Case assured the safety of him and his staff, “but democracy is not,” he wrote.
“What a truly dark moment for our country, born of disrespect for our very foundations and institutions and incited by the highest levels of our leadership.”
U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono thanked citizens’ concerns while calling on Trump to recall his supporters.
“I implore the president to tell his supporters to stand down for everyone’s safety and let Congress do our job today,” Hirono tweeted.
Rep. Kai Kahele, who was sworn in on Sunday, said he was lost for words Wednesday.
“Words escape me,” Kahele wrote. “We’ve had an incredible few days in the nation’s capital. Now this — extremists attacking & desecrating our revered Capitol. Tonight I feel her pain, but I am strengthened by her unwavering resolve. I swore an oath to uphold democracy & we will do that tonight.”
Shirlene Ostrov, chair of the Hawai‘i Republican Party, and Tyler Dos Santos-Tam, chair of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i released a joint statement condemning the “violence, vandalism, intimidation, and mob rule that have no place in our republic.”
“As the people and citizens of Hawai‘i, we are friends, neighbors, and family. Regardless of politics or party, there is more that unites us than divides us. We are one country, united under a common law. While we may have passionate debates and disagreements, violent lawlessness has no role in our political process,” the statement read. “Many of us on both sides of the aisle may be feeling fear or anger today; It is so much more important than ever to remember what joins us together and show our aloha for one another.”
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Donald Trump’s last plead for a recount and to take his presidency back is a cry against democracy. What has Donald Trump done besides making fun of illegal Mexicans in U.S. borders? It appears he is making a last stand before he leaves office. Of which he should have been out of office already. Many of his supporters were willing to risk their lives for just cause of a presidency seat again. It wouldn’t work. Joe Biden has clearly claimed victory. Still there remains a doubt on Trump’s side of what the people of America wants. They want Joe Biden. I think it is a good idea that Joe Biden is looking into Chinese relations and possibly exercising his rights as president in favor of a more Chinese to U.S. relations. It will work out. Especially when Hong Kong is defying CCP and its government by voting for pro-democracy in Hong Kong. Many voters there expressed interest in western politics.
Never in my life have I experienced this violence over a presidential election. This was spurred on by the current president (trump). We are fortunate to have an adult in VP Pence.
The Republicans has a chance and should take the party back.
Losers!
I’m not condoning what happened in DC yesterday. However, isn’t it ironic that when Antifa and BLM rioted, assaulted civilians & police, burned down and looted businesses across the country, it was crickets from our political class here in Hawaii and across the nation? None of the mayors and governors in whose states and cities this occurred were castigated for not confronting and ending the violence perpetrated by these thugs. The fact is that political hacks, like Kamala Harris, actually condoned and encouraged the violence. Former fat-man, NY Rep. Jerry Nadler even went so far as to characterize the violence instigated by Antifa as a myth (https://www.congress.gov/116/meeting/house/110938/documents/HHRG-116-JU00-20200728-SD037.pdf).
The hypocrisy smells…
RG DeSoto
No it isn’t ironic
Thats some next level brain washing right there. Why not back up the No with like some substance?
DeSoto,
It sounds like you are condoning it. When your child steals from your wallet and says but I saw Billy do it, does that make it OK? Is it even an adult argument? No, it’s what an uneducated child says. Trump and his supporters defiled our democracy yesterday. You shouldn’t say a word if you can not condemn it. You sound like a child.
AntiFa does not instigate violence, or riot, or burn things down, or loot businesses. It is not an organization. It is everyone in America who is ANTIFAscist. Against Fascism. No membership, no elected leaders, no funding, no meetings … just an acronym: ANTIFA.
Come again now? Did you not see the the riots and attempts to burn police officers and ice agents while rioting for 100s of days????
You gotta keep up! The trouble last summer was caused by right wing instigators like proud boys, and boogaloo idiots! Now they’ve stepped it up and are going for Traitors! Hope that answers your question.
So, what I can’t understand, and what I’m sure a lot of people are questioning, is HOW the mob was able to gain entry into the Capitol. During a live session!!! With the Vice President inside!!! They knew there was a Trump rally right across the street!!! They knew there would be hundreds of angry, violent people a stone’s throw away. There should have been TONS of extra security… No?
Either way, I don’t know what else evidence is needed to prove that 45 is absolutely unhinged and absolutely a danger to society and democracy at this point. Thank you VP Pence for exercising reason and courage and defiance in not following your deranged leader in this moment.
A Democracy is “the Majority Rules” causing the “Minority” to be invisible. A Constitutional Republic is “All citizens are equal” and the “Minority” is equal, as written the the U.S. Constitution. The push for a Democracy causes the rejection on the “Minority”, thus violence from both sides. The United States is a Constitutional Republic.
How INCREDIBLE that the TRUTH has WON!!!!!
I applaud the great people of the usa for really making America Great again by voting in unprecedented numbers under the worst of circumstances and getting involved in politics enough to shake up the statis quo…..
Let’s see how organized the Hawai’ian Kingdom Subjects can be in this new year of unlimited possibilities and opportunities for putting people back on their own Aina.
Too bad TGI chooses to show a picture of the “nuts” holding Trump signs, instead of acknowledging the vast majority of voters who chose to reject this raging lunatic and his activist supporters!
As to the photo of the Trump supporters here, I have to say I think it takes a lot of courage and integrity to stand up for something that is 100% based on lies…whoops, sorry, I got spell-checked, I was trying to type in the words cowardice and ignorance.
C’mon Rosen, C’mon Rosa! Justify your Orange Monster! Take your eyesore sign down! You Lost!
RG DeSoto
May you be the one of the “Remnants” mentioned by the Prophets Isaiah 11:11-16 – for you speak the SPIRIT of TRUTH.
For Indeed!!! I can not Flew and come to Kauai (and help revive your economy there) without showing my Valid ID to the Air Port Security Officers and a valid Boarding Pass to the Airline Clerk.
I can not obtain my Legal Social Security Card if I can not show that I am a Legal Resident of the USA to the Social Security Officers.
I can not apply for a House Mortgage if I can not show copies of my Legal Income Taxes from the IRS.
I can not build my beautiful house in KAUAI if the County Planners do not first approve of my Architectural Plans.
Why then that anyone can vote without showing any Legal ID to the Election Officials?
Whatever happened to these Many Legal Requirements that serves the betterments of all citizens?
Weak minded sheeple. Well, all you dweeb knuckle draggin libs get ready for your serving of crow until kalamata takes over and then you will see some real “action”. 75% of the population’s votes were invalidated by corruption and soros funded coordinated efforts. The majority did NOT vote for the old, inept sniffer.
The REV above shows his severely limited gray matter by stating “AntiFa does not instigate violence, or riot, or burn things down, or loot businesses. It is not an organization. It is everyone in America who is ANTIFAscist. Against Fascism. No membership, no elected leaders, no funding, no meetings … just an acronym: ANTIFA.” So, you are so ignorant to vomit what they told you but don’t understand true motive. 50 people dressed like Trump supporters break into capital and break things waving antifa flag and claims prez is behind it but antifa and blm burn, loot, and terrorize city after city and it is no one’s fault? Black on black crime doesn’t matter. Gang rape of underage black girls doesn’t matter. ‘It’s a bowel movement’. Only when it fits the narrative to pin a white person shooting a black person, does your race-baiting group of poosie thugs cry foul. All of you are delusional and deserve the economic collapse that is coming. You think covid was bad wait till inept joe keeps printing more money. He will fund illegal aliens, with the tax money he ain’t getting cuz he says he’ll shut the country down again. He’ll offer anything you want (sounds like bernie). Wait for the collapse. It’ll be the greatest reset since the great recession. Interest rates can’t be lowered anymore. Dollar devaluation coming. When all you rummies whine how could this happen, you’ll vomit it was a delayed result of Trump. Umm, no. Pull your head out and accept what YOU caused.
That was a lot of blah, blah, blah.