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
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)
(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
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.
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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