Kona Tea Party Organizers Send Message to Washington: Stop the Spending

Hawaii Reporter ^ | 9/16/2009 | Allison Ebert

[LeoWindhorse]

On Saturday, September 12, nearly 200 citizens attended the local TEA Party in Kailua Kona, HI. Participants in the rally braved first the sun, and then the rain in order to demonstrate their displeasure (to put it lightly) with the current (albeit, long-evolving) state of affairs in Washington, D.C. The overall message of the organization is that Americans have been “Taxed Enough Already”. Most participants’ signs elaborated on this basic belief.

Kona’s TEA Party was the last in the nationwide, day-long event. The incredibly well-attended Washington, D.C. TEA Party kicked off the day in a strong way. I would argue that an attendance of nearly 200 in Kona, Hawaii for the event should be viewed as a significant turnout, as well. Young, old and demographically diverse; all waived flags and showed off home-made signs voicing their many concerns and opinions.

Many TEA Party-goers believe approximately half of the responses from passersby was positive. Although some negative comments shouted from vehicle windows were nonsensical or plain idiotic, I would like to note that of the negative feedback received by the attendees, very little was rude or inappropriate. This, I would also argue (for an overwhelmingly liberal state), should be viewed as a success. I personally believe this can be attributed to the spirit of Aloha that is strong in this community.

[LeoWindhorse]

Way to go Kona patriots !

[BARLF]

Bump!

[BuckyKat]

Wow! That’s huge for the Big Island!! I hope you got more locals than tourists. I haven’t seen anything yet on any turnout in Honolulu.

[BARLF]

http://www.hawaiifreepress.com/Main/Portals/0/Article%20Attachments/GreenwellGTMOLetterJune%202009.pdf

They need to get rid of this guy. Vote him out or fire him, however he got this job.

[pheasant]

Great job! Didn’t know there were 200 non-leftist on the Big Island!!!

[Dr. Sivana]

Somehow it just seems wrong to me to be in Kona, and having tea, not coffee.

[BlueDragon]

How DARE those rich elitist snobs try to stand against increases in taxes! It is well known they all own coffee plantations and are vastly wealthy, far beyond what they need...why, they are almost as bad as [dare i say it?] corporations! /s

[sushiman]

Thanks for reporting this . I love the Big Island - wish I could afford to move/live there .

[sushiman]

I would rather have one of these .

[TXBlair]

Big Island Bump!!

I love Kona! Way to go guys. Mahalo!