On a holiday celebrating civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen praised King’s advocacy and his approach to peaceful social change.

“This has never been more appropriate than the time we’re living in now,” Bissen told a crowd of 125 people attending ceremonies Monday morning in front of the Kalana O Maui Building.

Bissen reminded the audience that King played a central role in the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s, including actions that led to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

“I know we have people in the audience from different generations and ages. I think it’s important that we keep his memory alive by reminding those who may not recall or remember or lived during those times,” Bissen said.

Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen praises civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. for his legacy of promoting peaceful social change. Gary Kubota/The Maui News

Political observers say King’s legacy can be found in Native Hawaiians using peaceful protests in 1976 to eventually halt the bombing of Kahoolawe and sit-ins at the airport in Hilo in 1978 to demonstrate against the state’s use of ceded and Hawaiian Homestead lands without just compensation.

Davianna Pomaika’i McGregor, a leader of the Protect Kahoolawe Ohana, said the goal of the nonviolent, peaceful protests was to educate the public about issues faced by Native Hawaiians since the monarchy was illegally overthrown in 1893.

Public sentiment shifted, and the nonviolent protest led to a consent decree, allowing limited Navy training on Kahoolawe and access to the ohana for environmental and research work, including visits by students to the island.

“That was definitely important,” said McGregor.

Joining in the celebration on MLK Day were Native Hawaiians and other ethnic groups, forming a coalition for the event, including the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Poem Project, Jazz Maui and the Arts Education for Children Group. Blessings were delivered by Kahu Alalani Hill and Lei’ohu Ryder.

Maui actor Bryant Neal recited a portion of King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, and a number of entertainers performed, including Nara Boone, Sheryl Renee, Dayan Kai, Tanama Colibri and DJ Zeke.

The event also featured the Voices of the Valley Gospel Choir under the direction of Vania Jerome and Ashton Yarbrough.

Members of the choir include Aida Rose, Danielle Ferrer, Lin McEwin, Charles Cook, Jason Jerome, Ben Isaiah, Boone and Renee.

Maui actor Bryant Neal performed a portion of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, as part of MLK Day on Maui. Gary Kubota/The Maui News