Honolulu Capitol Views

A  L  O  H  A !

 Standing on the Mauka (Mountain Side) steps

of the Hawaii State Capitol

looking over St. Damien's shoulder

(Link)

towards the memorial flame

through a row of royal palms

with Punchbowl Crater behind.

(Link)

Father Damien did amazing "Mother Teresa" type

work in Hawaii during the 19th Century.

This statue was erected BEFORE

his sainthood.

"Leprosy is beginning to be very prevalent here. 

 There are many men covered with it.  

It does not cause death at once, 

but it is rarely cured.  

The disease is very dangerous, 

because it is highly contagious."

  Father Damien 

to his family back home.  

"All Lepers must 

report to the government health authorities

 within fourteen days from this date 

for inspection

 and final banishment

 to Molokai" 

Official Government Proclamation

The center of the Capitol is not a dome

but  an open courtyard

ringed by offices and 

open lanai (balcony).

The House and Senate "sides" 

are across the open courtyard 

formed by the space between them.

As you can see from the curve here,

each chamber recalls the volcanoes

that formed these islands.

From the courtyard, you can look

down through big windows

at the legislative activity
in the legislative chambers

below (inside the volcano!)

Behind this grand banyan tree

 beyond the Makai

(Ocean side) of the capitol

stands Iolani Palace (Link)

where Hawaiian Royalty

ruled these islands in a 

constitutional monarchy.

Queen Liliuokalani, our last Queen 

(deposed shamefully)

stands watch over the daily affairs

 of today's

people and government.

She is an inspiration to great leadership.

Incidentally, many claim to have seen Liliuo's

ghost in this area, and in the corridors of the

modern capitol building too!

She seems to be 

ushering these people inside

to do their work.
(A nice aloha shirt with dress slacks
are business wear for men in Honolulu)

Liliuo also left us

this famous song

Listen and REALLY hear it
for the FIRST TIME!

Many of us have been spending 

a lot of time at the capitol

lately, as the Special Session 

called by the governor 
for Marriage Equality

proceeds.

THOUSANDS of people testified.

We heard LOTS of dumb and hurtful things.

We also saw our friends tell their truth, 

and lots of really illuminating

and moving testimony

while many of us watched 

57 hours of hearings

live and streaming.
I sent in written testimony.

Hawaii seems really poised

to legalize marriage

between two adults

regardless of gender.

There are "people of faith"

on both sides of the issue,

but one side is loud, angry,

not listening,

SCARY!

But you know what?

That day is OVER

in the civilized world

(listening, Putin?).

I'll post as soon as the Bill

is passed by both houses,

because the Gov called the sess

and wants to sign the Bill.

ALOHA, my dear friends!

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