KAPA‘A — Francisco Ubaldo stands in the bed of his pickup truck holding a Black Lives Matter sign in the morning sun.
KAPA‘A — Francisco Ubaldo stands in the bed of his pickup truck holding a Black Lives Matter sign in the morning sun.
Cars honk and drivers throw shakas Ubaldo’s way as they pass him parked by NoKa Fair on Tuesday.
“There’s been nothing but aloha,” he said.
After dropping off his two kids, he realized he had a half hour before work. So, he hopped on the back of his Mazda with the sign.
Ubaldo said watching protests from the mainland and around the world has been inspiring, especially during the pandemic. He’s one of several people on Kaua‘i who have picked up signs to join in the peaceful protests across the nation. Collections of sign-holders are now beginning to form at the Lihu‘e Airport intersection (Ahukini Road and Kapule Highway), and at other places across the island.
“Everybody’s hurting right now,” Ubaldo said. “It’s empowering to know people are willing to put aside their differences.”
This isn’t the first time he’s held up his sign this week. Ubaldo joined a larger group of about 30 activists on Monday in Kekaha. The group convened around 5:30 p.m. and stayed until past sunset. Ubaldo said this won’t be the last.
“This is a conversation we need to have with our kids, kupuna and those we’re in close contact with,” Ubaldo said.
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Sabrina Bodon, public safety and government reporter, can be reached at 245-0441 or sbodon@thegardenisland.com.
Let’s all give Ubaldo a great big Yawn! Let’s keep the mainland mayhem out of Kauai. This self proclaimed mustard seed needs to take root and gain attention elsewhere!
After 30 years i would say this guy ahould have. A sign that says white lives matter. I have been spit on, had friends killed by locals and was called a haole yesterday. Lets address the real racism. . PleAse stop hating whites.