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Martin Luther King Jr Day
Monday (January 18), Stone of Hope Monument, 8:30am/Maui Community College, 10:30am

by Anuhea Yagi

January 14, 2010

GOT MLK? - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was signed into law by Ronald Regan in 1983 and first observed in 1986. However, it was not until 2000 that all 50 states officially recognized the holiday (one holdout was the Commonwealth of Virgina, which until ’00 celebrated Lee-Jackson-King Day… Like, Robert E. Lee and “Stonewall” Jackson. Seriously. Wiki it.). Hawaii, and the Valley Isle, have no such reservations. At 8:30am, the African Americans on Maui group will convene the Stone of Hope Monument (200 S. High St.) for a silent march to Cafe Marc Aurel (28 N. Market St.), where the event will continue with speakers, African dancing, drumming and entertainment until noon. Or, make a day of it with a stroll (or roll) down Main to Kaahumanu Avenue, to check in with the African American Heritage Foundation of Maui, which will meet at Maui Community College (310 W. Kaahumanu Ave.) for their Peace & Justice March to Ho‘aloha Park (1 E. Kaahumanu Ave.). Not only is the foundation serving a free meal to attendees, they are simultaneously conducting a drive for the Maui Food Bank. So in addition to preparing for the day by packing mats, hats, sunscreen and shoes, please be generous in your donation of non-perishable goods. While the march begins promptly at 11am, be sure to meet at MCC by 10:30am. The event’s esteemed guest speaker, Reverend Robert Graetz, counted Rosa Parks among his close personal friends, authored Montgomery - A White Preacher’s Memoir and—along with his wife Jeannie (who will also be attending)—played an integral role in Alabama’s Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955-’56. African Americans on Maui: 280-1394, African American Heritage Foundation: 879-5313 - MauiTime, Anu Yagi