More than 3,000 protesters flooded the streets of Waikiki Sunday for a “Palestine Peace March.”
People worldwide have been rallying against the pervasive violence and ongoing societal crisis in Gaza for months, following the Oct. 7 surprise Hamas attack on Israel that prompted a full-fledged war in the area. Protestors in Hawaii used ubiquitous chants, also common elsewhere, such as “free, free Palestine” and “the occupation has got to go,” as they orderly traversed a planned route, from Magic Island to Kapiolani Park.
“A permanent ceasefire is long overdue,” protestor Taryn Yamamoto said. “I just want to be heard by my government. Is that too much to ask? If it takes thousands of people marching down Waikiki, screaming ‘Free Palestine,’ then that is what we will do.”
Protests and marches in solidarity with Palestine have taken place across Oahu in recent weeks, but this was the largest so far. Creating an awkward complication to this situation, Hawaii has been in a Joint Declaration of a strategic partnership with the government of Israel since 2022.
Several organizations contributed to the protest, including Citizens for Peace, Jewish Voice for Peace and the Muslim Association of Hawaii.
Hakim Ouansafi, chairperson of the Muslim Association of Hawaii and one of the event organizers, delivered a speech before the march commenced that included his thoughts on the matter:
“The suffering of the Palestinian people has gone on for far too long, and it is time for us to say enough is enough,” he yelled through a bullhorn to the people amassed at Magic Island. “We stand here to amplify the cries of the innocent, shed light on the atrocities being committed and hold those responsible accountable.”
Many participants shared their collective frustrations during the event with signs and chants, often about the U.S. government’s perceived lack of urgency in calling for a ceasefire
“I want to hear the Hawaii delegation call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire,” attendee Therese Klaty said. “The reason I’m here today is that I’ve been calling our senators and representatives almost daily, and they’re not hearing us. We want them to take a stand and call for a ceasefire now. I’m hoping through this march that they hear our voices.”
