TEA - 2
May 1, 1998 | Hawaii State Capitol Building | Honolulu HI
TEA - 2
May 1, 1998 | Hawaii State Capitol Building | Honolulu HI
More than a thousand people showed up to TEA-2, KHVH Radio's latest rally in protest of tax increases proposed by the Hawaii State Legislature and backed by Governor Ben Cayetano. The legislature is deadlocked over the regressive general excise tax (GET) increase. Late word indicate that a glimmer of hope may prevail as that the GE Tax increase may NOT go through according to news reports last night (May 3). Keep your fingers crossed!Back to TEA-2: The spirited and lively crowd came to the capitol late Friday afternoon (May 1) to proclaim and chant "No New Taxes!" to the lawmakers, most of them hiding out in the secluded confines of conference rooms and offices in the big square building. Legislators who have shown leadership came down and spoke to the crowd against the raising of the General Excise Tax. Among them were State Senators Malama Solomon and Sam Slom, State Representatives Quentin Kawananakoa and Mark Moses. Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris and City Councilwoman Rene Mansho were in attendance as well as GOP Lt. Governor hopefuls Mike Liu and Stan Koki. The rally attracted a broad cross section of concerned, dedicated and highly vocal citizens who don't want to see Hawaii's cost of living increase through the General Excise Tax. A loud and clear message eminated through the capitol hallways and hearing rooms as numerous chants proclaimed "No New Taxes." Several were dressed in period regalia or draped in the patriotic colors of red, white and blue. Couple of rally highlights included a group singing "No New Taxes" through the musical refrains of the "Hallelujah Chorus" and a loud group of bamboo playing local "stompers", who rocked to Queen's "We Will Rock You", the unofficial anthem adopted by KHVH radio for this issue. KHVH morning show host Rick Hamada and sidekick Barry Vilamil co-hosted the rally, which got limited live carriage by 3 of the local television news organizations and almost zero coverage by the two daily papers. Above: Lone tax protestor kept an afternoon vigil near State Capitol building during TEA-2 rally. More than a thousand protestors showed up.
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