Protestors hold signs during a rally April 5 outside the Whole Foods in Kahului. A number of people on Maui joined the protest that coincided with similar protests across the nation. Courtesy photo

The group that organized a recent protest in front of Whole Foods in Kahului, Maui Indivisible, is planning another rally for this weekend.

Maui Indivisible is hosting the “Raising Our Voices, Let Freedom Ring Protest” at UH Maui College from 4-5:30 p.m. April 19. The group is inviting community members to join them while listening to speakers and speaking out.

The protest centers around criticism of President Donald Trump’s policies. Rally organizers say they’re protesting to defend local services from government cuts, push back against efforts to curtail diversity, equality and inclusion initiatives, and more.

“Trump’s federal cuts have hit Maui hard, hurting key environmental agencies, local farmers, nonprofits that support our communities, including Lahaina fire survivors, and are threatening to dismantle the Department of Education,” said Justin Hughey, who’s helping organize the rally.

Hughey said that because the University of Hawaiʻi and other local institutions have been ordered to dismantle DEI programs or face the loss of federal funding, the Trump administration has not only jeopardized support for underrepresented students but also the teaching of Hawaiian history, language and cultural practices.

“These policies threaten programs that sustain Native Hawaiian identity, protect sacred lands, and promote environmental stewardship,” he said.

Maui Indivisible organized a similar rally on April 5 that coincided with a series of protests in all 50 states across the U.S.