Christian groups’ role
in city event meets protestA gay advocacy group objects
to the July 5 festival partnership
The city has Christian organizations as partners for its Independence Day celebration in Kapiolani Park, and a gay advocacy group claims that is an unholy match.
CORRECTION
Friday, June 27, 2003>> Michael J. Golojuch Jr. is the project coordinator for Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays-Oahu. He was misidentified as the group's president in a Wednesday article about a Christian group's sponsorship of an Independence Day celebration.
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The Hawaii Christian Coalition is a co-sponsor of the July 5 events, which will include a 10 a.m. "Kid's Parade"; a Family Festival with entertainment, games and food booths in the park; and a fireworks display offshore of the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium.
When applicants sign up for booths at the Family Festival, they are required to make deposit checks to Christian Family Charities. City spokeswoman Carol Costa said the Hawaii Christian Coalition is handling the food and event tents.
She also said the Hawaii Christian Coalition is sponsoring the parade, which is in addition to the Independence Day events.
The city Web page lists Paulette Williams of Keys of the Kingdom Ministries in Kailua and Department of Facilities Management Deputy Director Alvin Au as leading the parade committee. Listed as entertainment chairwomen are Cheryl Rzonca of the Trinity Broadcasting Network and Sharon Ishii of the Mayor's Office.
Michael Golojuch Jr., president of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, said: "The city is in bed with a political action committee. It seems unethical that the mayor can accept campaign donations from a PAC such as Hawaii Christian Coalition, then turn around and have his appointees set up this thing.
"If any other PAC was doing this, there is no way Harris would allow this to happen," Golojuch said.
Despite his objections to the partnership, Golojuch has applied to have PFLAG participate in the events. Big Brothers/Big Sisters, in charge of the park festival, allowed the group to sign up for a booth. PFLAG also applied to be in the parade, but was rejected June 17. It reapplied but was rejected last night.
Golojuch said he must regroup with members of PFLAG before deciding the next move.
Costa defended the coalition's involvement.
"This is no different than getting community support for Sunset on the Beach," she said. "Christian Coalition just happens to be one of many organizations involved."
Gerry Silva, Department of Customer Services deputy director, said Christian Family Charities is in a role similar to the Waikiki Improvement Association, which handles overhead costs at the Sunset on the Beach events.
"They take in the money and pay the bills," Silva said.
Costa said the city has sponsored an Independence Day event for years, timed not to compete with others that are held on July 4.
"It's always been about all kinds of community groups showing pride for their community and celebrating our American history," she said. "It's always been about hot dogs, snow cones, watermelon and fun for the family."
Costa said the July 5 event has involved "very minimal funding at this point."
"You will see a lot of volunteers on this day. All kinds of community groups are showing up at the planning meetings," she said.
Costa said the parade was added this year, is entirely the Christian Coalition's and "the rules are their rules." She said there have been no other complaints about the Christian groups' involvement.
However, a reference to the Hawaii Christian Coalition as co-sponsor, which was included on the city's Web site until June 5, has been deleted. The original text can still be seen in posters on city buses, and on the Hawaii Christian Coalition Web page at www.hi-christian.com.
Golojuch said: "It's either all-private or all-public. If one part of it is public, it is all public. The fact that city has put it on their Web site and are holding the planning meetings on city property ... it looks public to me."
Garret Hashimoto, president of Hawaii Christian Coalition, said: "They want to rain on our parade. I think it is not because of the city; they are being discriminatory against Christians."
Hashimoto said the parade "is not a political statement or a Christian statement" and that his organization will not have a unit in it. Christian Coalition is a nonprofit organization, although not one with tax-deductible status, he said, and that is why he enlisted Christian Family Charities to serve as the check-receiving agency.
"We want a parade to honor children, the family and the military," Hashimoto said. "I told Paulette (Williams) I don't want politics in the parade, no agendas or politics. We want a picnic-like atmosphere at the park. We will have ethnic games, Hawaiian games, Israeli games.
"I came up with the idea last year when we did an outreach program for Waipahu children in November. I asked Mayor Harris if I could have a parade for kids. He said, 'Go ahead.'"
Hashimoto added, "We have every right to believe what we believe."
He said the committee will review PFLAG's application.
Golojuch pointed out a paragraph in the parade rules that led him to anticipate rejection: "Parade entrants and individual participants shall conduct themselves in an appropriate manner. Entrants that are not deemed appropriate for children's viewing or that promote political, controversial or negative advocacy or otherwise are deemed objectionable and a possible cause of disruptive influence along the parade route will not be allowed in the parade."
Hashimoto said Golojuch's group already has a parade, the annual Gay Pride Parade planned for Saturday.
"I'm not bothering them," Hashimoto said. "You don't see me picketing their parade."
Golojuch said he invites everyone to attend the Gay Pride Parade to experience a truly inclusive event.
