Protest

This week, police in Thailand arrested the leaders of a pro-democracy movement. Protests have been going on for several weeks — and those demonstrating against the current government are using a particular sign of defiance.

Political demonstrations are continuing in Thailand. Over the weekend, police estimated more than 10,000 people rallied against the government, and protestors are increasing the pressure.

Chinese authorities wasted no time this week enforcing a new security law on the streets of Hong Kong.  Nearly 400 people were arrested in protests Wednesday. That includes ten charged under the new law, in a move that begins a different era for the city. 

Protestors rallied against the Thirty-Meter Telescope on college campuses in California today. Demonstrations are planned for UH campuses tomorrow. 

At least 24 people have been killed in one of the worst outbreaks of violence in West Papua in many years. Indonesian officials described those killed as construction workers, the rebel group that took responsibility for the attack says they were Indonesian troops disguised as civilians.

In January 2017, over two million people participated in Women’s Marches across the globe.  In Hawai‘i, an estimated 18 thousand people turned out across the state concerned about U.S. positions on climate change, immigration, healthcare, environmental regulations, and more.  HPR’s Noe Tanigawa reports, this year, events are focused on getting out the vote.

Consequences of Protesting; Wheelchair Access to Beaches; Complete Streets in Honolulu; Fa'alavelave: The Interruption

Oʻahu’s North Shore is the mecca of surfing. Everybody who’s anybody in surfing comes here every winter to surf – and to show the world that they are the best. A pair of surfers is taking advantage of this high-profile backdrop to raise awareness not just about the sport but also about the environment. HPR’s Kuʻuwehi Hiraishi reports.

Three student leaders of Hong Kong’s democracy movement have been sentenced to prison. It’s a reversal of a previous sentence of community service and sends a chilling message to protestors. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

Ward Warehouse was expected to last fifteen years when it opened in 1975.  Now, over 40 years later, it will close in August to make way for a highrise.  Right now, along with sales galore, a few interesting new shops have taken old spaces.  The Paradise Cove art collective has a storefront, and so does J20+, an offshoot of the January 20th Inauguration Day protests.   HPR’s Noe Tanigawa reports on their exhibition, Welcome to Free Speech.

Worldwide, over two million people participated in Women’s Marches on Saturday, concerned about U.S. positions on climate change, immigration, healthcare, reproductive rights, the world community, and more.  Here in Hawai‘i, an estimated five thousand on Maui, an equal number on Hawai‘i Island, two thousand on Kaua‘i and eight thousand more in Honolulu took the opportunity to air a diversity of concerns.  HPR’s Noe Tanigawa offers this sampling from the colorful Women’s March in Honolulu.

Nearly a hundred twenty nine thousand people voted for Donald Trump in Hawai‘i, and this morning, Hawai‘i Republicans convened at Ward Big City Diner to watch and celebrate the inauguration together.   President Trump’s inauguration is prompting other gatherings, including a teach in at UH Manoa today, a community concert tonight, and the international Women’s March tomorrow, now with over 600 sister marches world- wide.  HPR’s Noe Tanigawa reports.

  This year, for Hawai‘i’s celebration of Reverend Martin Luther King’s holiday there was a  Run for Peace on Maui, a commemorative walk happened on Kaua‘i, and Hawai‘i island celebrated in Kona on Sunday.  In Honolulu, HPR’s Noe Tanigawa spoke with some of the millennials in attendance at what is called the annual "People's Parade." 

In November, a Facebook post from Maui ignited what is becoming the largest demonstration linked to President-elect Trump’s inauguration.  On January 21st, Mr. Trump’s first day in office, Women's March demonstrations are scheduled in every state and in thirty three countries around the world, with participation now nearing six hundred thousand people.  HPR’s Noe Tanigawa reports sister marches are being organized on Kaua‘i, O‘ahu, Maui, and Hawai‘i island. 

Protests across the country are springing up following the election of Donald Trump. Thousands filled the streets in at least 25 US cities on Wednesday and Thursday.  Major demonstrations were focused outside Trump properties.

Activist group World Can’t Wait Hawai‘i is hosting a rally this afternoon (Friday) on O‘ahu.  Organizer Liz Rees says it was enlightening to see protests happening across the country. 

The World Can’t Wait rally against Trump’s takes place this afternoon from 4-6pm at the Entrance to Ala Moana Beach Park.

The State Department of Transportation has scrapped a plan to construct a seawall in West Maui following a week long protest.  The plan was to build a wall of boulders near mile marker 16 along the shoreline of Honoapi‘ilani highway to protect the road from erosion.  But environmentalists say the wall would threaten coral reefs and surf breaks by altering the natural flow of sand.  They added that it would ruin beach access, and not truly alleviate the road’s safety issues.  

  All the construction under way now recalls another period of intense development in Hawai‘i, from 1965-75.  During that go-go decade, tourism was booming, the Vietnam War contributed to military expenditures in Hawai‘i and real estate development went into high gear.  HPR’s Noe Tanigawa reports on a photographer who documented the period from a less privileged point of view.

The very first telescope on Haleakalā was completed in 1958, and used for satellite tracking.  Three years later, 18 acres of ceded land at the summit were set aside for astronomy, becoming the Haleakalā High Altitude Observatory Site with the University of Hawai‘i as owner/manager.  Currently there are ten facilities on the mountain and another, a cutting edge solar telescope, is underway.  HPR’s Noe Tanigawa reports on the controversy over its construction.

   An anti-government protest that’s been going on for weeks in Asia is winding down. The location is not in Hong Kong, but in the capital city of Pakistan. HPR’s Bill Dorman has details in today’s Asia Minute.

  As you’ve been hearing, the street protests are continuing in Hong Kong. But that doesn’t mean that the entire city has come to a standstill. HPR’s bill dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

Fall classes have been underway at the University of Hawai‘i for nearly a month. But in Hong Kong, thousands of students are boycotting classes. HPR’s Bill Dorman explains why in today’s Asia Minute.

  Thousands of protestors remain camped outside Pakistan’s parliament building in the capital of Islamabad. Demonstrations have been going on for two weeks against the current prime minister. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

   Local residents in a southern Chinese city are protesting the construction of a new chemical plant. It’s the latest case of public anger potentially playing a role in changing plans of the government. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

  After nearly two months, the government of Thailand has lifted a state of emergency in and around Bangkok. Protesters in the area have dwindled, but the future of the government still remains unclear. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

   While much of the world has focused on recent events in Ukraine, political tensions elsewhere have continued to spill onto the streets. Thailand has seen increasing violence and the government there faces an uncertain future. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.