HONOLULU (KHON2) — Thousands of cities and millions of protestors nationwide flooded the streets to participate in the “No Kings” protests on Saturday, June 14 — including right here in our islands.
Local protest organizers believe around 5,000 people were at the Hawaii State Capitol on Saturday.
The protest took place during the military parade at the nation’s capital to celebrate the Army’s 250th anniversary, which coincides with Trump’s birthday, according to AP.
What to know about ‘No Kings’ protests against Trump’s policies
While the protest is called “No Kings Day of Defiance” across the country, ACLU Hawaiʻi and co-organizers said it is being called “No Dictator Day” in the islands due to the recognition of the Hawaiian Monarchy.
The state saw a total of six protests — one on Oʻahu, one on Maui and four on Hawaiʻi Island.
Oʻahu
In a much larger crowd than expected, thousands of people islandwide flooded the State Capitol in downtown Honolulu.
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Thousands of people rally in downtown Honolulu for “No Dictators” protest, calling out the actions of President Donald Trump and his administration on Saturday, June 14, 2025.
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Hawaii residents and visitors rally near the intersection of Beretania and Punchbowl for the “No Dictators” protest, a nationwide protest calling out the actions of President Donald Trump and his administration on Saturday, June 14, 2025.
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Downtown Honolulu sidewalks filled with protestors for the nationwide “No Dictators” protest, which calls out the actions of President Donald Trump and his administration on Saturday, June 14, 2025.
“This is the biggest one we’ve seen. The energy is great,” said U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda.
Congresswoman Jill Tokuda said she left Washington D.C. ahead of the Army and Trump parade.
“They’re about to have a parade that’s not about the Army, it’s about one man and his ego and this is democracy, this is America,” Tokuda said. “What we fight for when we talk about healthcare, education, food money, this is what America and democracy look like and that’s why I’m here.”
Families, keiki, kupuna and military lined Beretania Street from Alapai to Alakea to protest the current federal administration for their own reasons.
“I think it’s unnecessary and waste of tax payers money,’ Lynn Ishii, a retired member of the state National Guard, said about the D.C. parade. “We can celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Army in a peaceful manner, honoring our service members and what they do and what they sacrifice without all the money and this grand parade like some autocracy.”
GALLERY: Anti-Trump ‘No Kings’ protests held across U.S.
Hawaiʻi Island
Organizers on the Big Island said about 1,000 protestors attended the protest in Waimea on Mamalahoa Highway in front of the Parker Ranch Center.
According to Lisa Gibson, Indivisible Hawaii Statewide Network group leader, the protest is a reminder to President Donald Trump that “this is our country and people will fight to preserve our democracy.”
“It’s going to take us a long time to restore our reputation in the world. We need to fight for that, it’s something worth fighting for,” Gibson added.
Maui
Demonstrations on Maui occurred in Kahului in front of the Queen Kaʻahumanu Center, with around 5,000 participants, according to Maui Indivisible Lead Organizer Marnie Masuda-Cleveland.
“The focus was constitutional rights and preserving our democracy in the face of this ascending fascist dictatorship of Donald Trump,” Masuda-Cleveland said.
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Approximately 5,000 protestors showed out for demonstrations on Maui. (Courtesy: Indivisible Hawaiʻi)
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Approximately 5,000 protestors showed out for demonstrations on Maui. (Courtesy: Indivisible Hawaiʻi)
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Approximately 5,000 protestors showed out for demonstrations on Maui. (Courtesy: Indivisible Hawaiʻi)
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Approximately 5,000 protestors showed out for demonstrations on Maui. (Courtesy: Indivisible Hawaiʻi)
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Approximately 5,000 protestors showed out for demonstrations on Maui. (Courtesy: Indivisible Hawaiʻi)
The protest was held on the same day as Maui Pride Fest, with participants highlighting LGBTQ+ rights while also focusing on what Masuda-Cleveland described as “illegal ICE detentions, arrests, kidnappings and detentions” of immigrants across the country.
While she said the average person may feel powerless when it comes to federal changes, Masuda-Cleveland mentioned some of the president’s closest allies reside in Maui County at least part-time. Maui County residents such as Jeff Bezos, Peter Thiel and Larry Ellison all reside in Maui County and have provided significant funds and support to Trump.
“Hawaiʻi is a very important, strategic place in the United States for really helping move this regime back into alliance with the Constitution,” Masuda-Cleveland said.
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