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South Maui state Rep. Kaniela Ing will be holding a sign that reads "Aloha means goodbye" today when he stands with groups opposing President Donald Trump, who is on a two-day visit on Oahu before traveling to Asia.
"Aloha is a Hawaiian value rooted in the idea of love for one another, that we are all connected," Ing said in a news release. "While I believe in welcoming everyone to our islands, we need to draw the line at wanna-be dictators who tell whole groups of people they are not welcome in our society.
"Welcoming him here undermines the values we hold dear. We are the most diverse state in the nation, and just a few days ago, Trump literally said, 'Diversity sounds like a good thing, but it is not a good thing.' So yes, 'aloha' means 'hello,' but it also means 'goodbye.' ''
Ing will be marching and speaking at this morning's "The Nightmare Must Go!" protest starting at Ala Moana Beach Park. Trump is staying in Waikiki and departs the islands today.
Ing said that he takes Trump's anti-diversity statements and polices personally. He said that his grandfather was a Japanese-American WWII veteran, who fought for the U.S. despite discrimination at home. The lawmaker also noted that his father died when he was 12, and community and progressive government programs, opposed by Trump and Republicans, helped his family make ends meet during a difficult time.