LIHU‘E — Anne Punohu brought the issue of housing discrimination to Rice Street Monday afternoon.
“Some people bring food for the hungry, some visit people in the hospital, others read books, but we’re like Martin Luther King, who took his message to the streets,” Punohu said. “King preached his message about discrimination on the streets and to the people, and that’s what we’re doing.”
Punohu said the “HUD OK now” rally was part of the National Day of Service as proclaimed by President Barack Obama.
“I have been keeping an eye on the TV all day because my daughter’s boyfriend is in Washington, D.C. for the inauguration, and he’s been calling from the hotel a lot,” Punohu said. “Every time I see Obama on the split screen, I get teary eyed.”
Punohu said Obama’s National Day of Service calls for Americans to go out and do something, which led her to contact some of her supporters and organize an effort to educate people on housing discrimination.
Punohu was joined by daughter Kanani Donovan Richards as well nurse practitioner Marghee Maupin and Mary Stone as the quartet took their message to the streets.
Passing motorists gave the group a thumbs-up sign of approval along with beeps, one passing lady stopping her car to announce, “I just got a house Friday!”
Punohu and some of her supporters were also at the Martin Luther King Day celebration at Kukui Grove, where she said she spoke with Beth Tokioka, executive assistant to Mayor Bernard Carvalho.
“Beth told me that the county has some housing meetings set up for the future so we can bring our message there,” Punohu said.
“But the celebration at Kukui Grove is to sit back and enjoy the music. This rally is work.”
Punohu said she has been working with several of the politicians who said they will have some legislation introduced in this year’s state legislature, but until then, she will be like Martin Luther King and take the message to the streets.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com
