Flag policy draws peaceful protests

Overflow observance calm

Advertiser Staff and News Services
As printed in the Honolulu Advertiser

Saturday, January 16, 1993

Honolulu police and organizers of the ‘Onipa’a centennial observance reported no major incidents yesterday.

On Friday two Schofield Barracks soldiers paraded around Iolani Palace holding the American flag, and a couple raised the U.S. flag early yesterday morning at the State Capitol.

Both acts were in defiance of Gov. John Waihee’s order that all American flags be taken down in the Capitol District during the centennial observance.

Brian and Angela Hartley, a locally based military couple, raised the flag at 5:40 a.m.

No one tried to stop them, but by the time they drove around the block, the flag had been lowered by a man in uniform whose jacket said “Police,” the couple said.

Mrs. Hartley, who is part Cherokee Indian, said both she and her husband sympathize with the Hawaiians about annexation, but believe that lowering the American flag is wrong.

About 150 people have been designated as peacekeepers, patrolling the areas throughout the day. The peacekeepers are representatives of the various Hawaiian groups participating in the 'Onipa’a observance. No major incidents were reported, a security person said yesterday afternoon.