DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM Anti-war protesters were out in force yesterday throughout Honolulu, including these who waved signs in front of the Prince Kuhio Federal Building on Ala Moana. They plan to meet again tomorrow from 4 to 6 p.m.

War protesters turn out
on Oahu and Big Island

Demonstrators plan a "mass mobilization"
today and a Waikiki march tomorrow

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By Rod Thompson and Mary Adamski
rthompson@starbulletin.com, madamski@starbulletin.com

Protesters demonstrated on Oahu and the Big Island yesterday in opposition to the U.S. attack on Iraq.

No anti-war rally had been planned on Oahu, but news of the Iraq invasion brought several people out last night for a spontaneous demonstration outside the Prince Kuhio Federal Building.

On the Big Island, demonstrators had scheduled a rally on Hilo's Kamehameha Avenue yesterday.

Ray Parsons, of Puna, was fighting back tears moments after hearing the war had started.

"What can we win if we bomb Baghdad?" he asked. "They're just people like us. They're sitting in their towns and businesses, and they're being bombed and he (President Bush) is killing them for no reason."

Protester Kristina Hopkinson, a student at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, said through tears: "We are standing around, and millions of people are getting bombed right now. It's too much."

Her friend Rachel Fesler-Schnitzer hugged and comforted her. "I think we're standing here as the conscience of America," she said. "We're bringing it to people's faces."

On Ala Moana, Carolyn Hadfield, of Not In Our Name Hawaii, said: "The United States does not have a high road on this. The action was not terribly surprising, but the confidence Bush showed in his speech was uncalled-for -- the whole idea that he can unleash any amount of weaponry ... and that a country is in better shape for having war rained on it."

A "mass mobilization" is planned from 4 to 6 p.m. today at the Ala Moana and Halekauwila Street location, and a 10 a.m. Saturday rally at Ala Moana Park will be followed by a march through Waikiki.

"I think it's very sad and outrageous that the U.S. is proceeding with this path," said Kyle Kajihiro, of the American Friends Service Committee, which has co-sponsored anti-war demonstrations for the past several months. "We need to be more determined about our effort for peace."

Kajihiro said the number of people joining local demonstrations has increased recently. He said several hundred people were at 22 sites Sunday night for the local observance of the Global Candlelight Vigil for Peace.

"It showed the concern is deep and widespread." he said.