Legislators to take
Good Friday walk

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By Mary Adamski
madamski@starbulletin.com

A group of state legislators will walk barefoot from Mapunapuna to Makiki tomorrow in a dramatization of the plight of victims of Hawaii's depressed economy.

The Good Friday walk will include prayer stops at government institutions and social service agencies. It will begin at 8:30 a.m. at the Hawaii Foodbank and conclude at 1 p.m. at Shriners Hospital for Children.

"The symbolism of taking our shoes off and walking barefoot is to humble ourselves and to remind ourselves as legislators that we are public servants," said state Rep. Dennis Arakaki (D, Kamehameha Heights, Kalihi Valley).

Arakaki, organizer of the walk, said it will also give participants the opportunity "to feel the pain of doing without that many have felt since the tragedy of Sept. 11, ensuing economic disaster and the many others who may suffer as a result of budgetary limitations and cutbacks."

The participating legislators -- as of yesterday, state Reps. Marcus Oshiro (D, Wahiawa, Whitmore) and Michael Kahikina (D, Nanakuli, Waianae) were signed on -- will donate their shoes at the first stop for use by Prevent Child Abuse Hawaii in a display symbolizing the number of abuse victims.

Arakaki said the Good Friday timing is meaningful to Christians, but the demonstration is not limited to Christians. People wishing to participate may meet at the Capitol parking turnaround at 8 a.m., or may join the walk at 10:30 a.m. near the Father Damien statue at the Capitol.

Prayer stops will be made outside Oahu Community Correctional Center, Honolulu Community College, the Institute for Human Services family shelter, Mayor Wright Homes, Kalanihuia Elderly Housing, Edwin Thomas Home, state Capitol, City Hall, Honolulu Police Department, McKinley High School, Juvenile Detention Center and Shriners Hospital.

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