Hawaiʻi is doing this for the first time in history. How you can see it
HONOLULU (KHON2) — On Monday, June 2, 2025, Hawaiʻi is marking a historic milestone as Pride flags are being flown at the State Capitol for the first time in history.
Governor Josh Green, M.D. authorized the display which is raising eight flags along South Beretania Street, to commemorate Pride Month.
The flags include the progressive Pride flag, which incorporates rainbow stripes representing people of color, transgender individuals, intersex individuals and those living with HIV/AIDS.
Dean Hamer, co-director of the Lei Pua ʻAla Queer Histories of Hawaiʻi Project, expressed his excitement.
'We are very excited that this year, for the first year ever, the Hawaiʻi state capital is going to be flying pride flags,' Hamer said.
He emphasized the significance of this act, especially in the current climate where several states have restricted the display of Pride flags.
'It's especially exciting right now as we are witnessing this sort of regression where now 12 different states are trying to or already have restricted the flying of pride flags,' Hamer noted.Joe Wilson, co-director of the project, highlighted the importance of the Capitol as a symbol of governance and representation.
'Especially there. Right. Because, you know, in that building, that big, beautiful building on Beretania Street. Our lives and, you know, the issues that intersect with the lives of people across our communities are often on the agenda in that building,' Wilson remarked.
He continued, 'So to see these flags as a symbol of, you know, the diversity of our communities that were seen and, in this case, in a respected way, in a place where decisions are being made by people, about our lives.'
Michael Golojuch, Jr., Vice-Chair of the Hawaiʻi State LGBTQ+ Commission, praised the event as a culmination of years of advocacy.
'We were thrilled when Governor Josh Green granted permission to fly the Pride Flags for the month of June. It marks the first time in our state's history this honor has been bestowed in recognition of Pride Month,' explained Commissioner Golojuch. 'It all began with the Hawaiʻi State LGBTQ+ Commission's request for a proclamation declaring June as Pride Month, something that hasn't happened since the Abercrombie administration. From that first step, the momentum grew, leading to this year's historic Pride Flag Raising Ceremony hosted by the Governor himself.'
The flag-raising ceremony was part of a broader initiative to honor and uplift the LGBTQ+ community in Hawaiʻi. Earlier this year, the Hawaiʻi State LGBTQ+ Commission hosted its inaugural Queer Day at the Capitol which brought together various advocacy groups to discuss key issues impacting the LGBTQ+ community.
'This moment highlights exactly why the Hawaiʻi State LGBTQ+ Commission exists. Our mission is, in part, to bridge the gap between the Māhū, LGBTQIA+ and QTPI+ communities and state government,' explained Commissioner Golojuch. 'It's a powerful culmination to a year of historic milestones, from the first Queer Day at the Capitol to the creation of a state-sponsored glossary focused on Māhū and LGBTQIA+ terminology.'
The Lei Pua ʻAla Queer Histories of Hawaiʻi Project continues to document and memorialize Hawaiʻi's long history of gender and sexual diversity. Through initiatives like the Hui Alo Lei PUA Ala collaboration with the Maui Public Art Corps, the project fosters intergenerational dialogue within the queer community.
'We're also quite excited about a partnership we've had with the Maui Public Art Corps called Hui Alo Lei PUA Ala,' said Wilson. 'And this is an effort, to interview and create intergenerational dialog between, people in the queer community, to share their stories and then invite creative performing artists to interpret those interviews in a beautiful pop-up performance.'
Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHON's morning podcast, every morning at 8
As Hawaiʻi celebrates this historic achievement, the raised Pride flags serve as a powerful symbol of visibility, respect, and inclusion for the LGBTQ+ community. In a time when many states are moving backward, Hawaiʻi stands as a beacon of progress and acceptance.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Yahoo
I Tried the Viral 'Actually Take' Method To Cut Back on Everyday Stress
This article may contain affiliate links that Yahoo and/or the publisher may receive a commission from if you buy a product or service through those links. In most aspects of my life, I'm great about not procrastinating. Still, there are a handful of chores and tasks I tend to put off until the end of the day — or, worse yet, for months. When that happens, the chore can feel bigger and more daunting as time goes on, until I really don't want to do it at all. Recently, though, I found a method that eases the pressure that inevitably comes with procrastinating doing a household task. It's called the 'actually take' method. I came across this video from creator Christi Newrutzen, which is part of her series titled 'How long does it actually take?' in which Newrutzen times herself to see exactly how long it will take to complete a household chore she's been procrastinating. In this TikTok, Newrutzen takes seven minutes to clean her shower drain (which she had never cleaned before!) and 25 minutes to clean the rest of the shower for a total of 32 minutes. Most people tend to put off chores and tasks because they don't want to or can't put in the time they think it will take. When you time yourself actually doing it, more often than not you might find that the thing you've been dreading because you thought it would take an hour really takes 15 minutes (or less). Knowing how long it actually takes to do something relieves some pressure so you can get on with your day without guilt, and it can help you build momentum to get more things done because it won't feel as daunting. I decided to give this method a shot. I timed how long it took to do a few tasks on my to-do list that I dread the most and procrastinate nearly every time. Doing the laundry has always been my favorite chore, and I even put most of my clothes away immediately — except for a few things that take extra effort. For example, all of my bedding is in a storage bag under the bed, and my workout clothes go on the top shelf of my closet (which requires me to get out the double step stool from the utility closet). In other words, these items sometimes live on top of my dresser for weeks. When I set out to clear off my dresser using the 'actually take' method, though, I discovered it only took 5 minutes and 39 seconds to put these things away in their rightful place and be able to see the top of my dresser once again. I love getting into a freshly made bed with clean sheets, but I don't love making our California king bed by myself. If my husband is busy with work, I typically get too lazy to change the sheets without his help. After timing myself, however, I learned that it only took me 2 minutes and 50 seconds to strip the bed, and 4 minutes and 31 seconds to make the bed with fresh sheets (including the time it took to get the quilt from under my bed), for a total of just 7 minutes and 21 seconds. Calling to make any kind of appointment seems like a thing of the past, but every now and then it's a must. My dentist doesn't have an online scheduler, which means I have to call. Although I've always known this doesn't take a long time, it's still something I constantly put off. Calling to reschedule my appointment only took me 1 minute and 20 seconds, which made me feel silly for procrastinating in the first place (I've been putting this off since February!). All I had to do was rip off that proverbial Band-Aid. I can see myself putting off these tasks less and less over time because I now know exactly how long they take. This method also helped me snap out of the 'I don't have time' mindset, as most of these items on my to-do list actually take less time than an episode of my favorite sitcom. In turning these chores into a bit of a competition, I realized they weren't as big of a deal as I'd been building them up to be, relieved myself of the stress of not doing them, and gave myself the satisfaction of finally checking them off my list. An Event Planner's Tips for Hosting a Winning Game Night Home: Where Your Story Starts The Best Modular Sofas and Sectionals Reviewed Sign up for Apartment Therapy's Daily email newsletter to receive our favorite posts, tours, products, and shopping guides in your inbox.
News24
16 hours ago
- News24
Door is open despite failed court bid, says CRL Rights Commission to KwaSizabantu witnesses
CRL Rights Commission chairperson Thoko Mkhwanazi-Xaluva said the commission was open to discussion with KwaSizabantu witnesses. Be among those who shape the future with knowledge. Uncover exclusive stories that captivate your mind and heart with our FREE 14-day subscription trial. Dive into a world of inspiration, learning, and empowerment. You can only trial once. Start your FREE trial now
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Yahoo
Nigel Farage as British PM would put Irish unity ‘centre stage'
Former Irish premier Leo Varadkar said that Irish unity would become 'centre stage' if Reform UK leader Nigel Farage was elected UK prime minister. Mr Varadkar, who stood down as taoiseach in April last year, said it is possible Mr Farage will be prime minister in four years or nine years time. He described British politics as 'very volatile'. Reform made big gains in local elections in England and Wales in May. Mr Varadkar told BBC Northern Ireland's The View programme, which will be aired on Thursday night, that he hoped Mr Farage is not the next British prime minister. The former Fine Gael leader said if the Reform leader became prime minister, it would 'change the pictures in terms of attitudes towards independence in Scotland'. 'I think it would change the views of some people in the middle ground in Northern Ireland (towards Irish unity),' he said. 'It isn't just because a right-wing nationalist government in London would want to bring the UK and Northern Ireland away from Europe. It is other things as well.' He also claimed that councils run by Reform in England were preventing people from flying Pride or progress flags. Mr Varadkar added: 'I don't think most people in Northern Ireland would like that. 'If that's the kind of government they had in London versus a government in Dublin that was very different, it might make them more likely to vote yes to unification,' he added. 'I do want to be very clear about this, it's not something I hope happens. 'I hope it doesn't happen.' Mr Varadkar said he believes planning for a united Ireland should be happening, but that a date should not be fixed as the numbers to win are not in place. He added: 'I don't think a united Ireland is inevitable, I think it's something that we have to work towards. 'But I think there are a lot of factors that would suggest that we're on that trajectory. 'Demographic factors, polling, even the most recent numbers showing that a very clear majority of younger people in Northern Ireland want there to be a new united Ireland.' 'I think that will carry true, and that's why I think it's something that we should plan for.' He said Irish unity will not happen 'by osmosis or by accident'. 'I think (it) has to be worked towards. I think those of us who believe in it have a duty to make the case for it,' he added. 'Look at the trajectory, and that is clear. We see it in elections. We see it in opinion polls. We see it in demographics.'
