'It's about doing the right thing'

The activist's legacy inspires reflection along the parade route

Maili resident James Brown woke up at 6:30 a.m. to drive his family into town and grab some breakfast at Leonard's Bakery before lining up along Kalakaua Avenue for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade.

As his five children played on the sidewalk, Brown, a Howard University graduate and former Baltimore resident whose family hails from Alabama, said he felt the need to educate his kids about the sacrifices made before they were born.

"It was important to come down here. ... My family got beat over the head so people wouldn't be calling me nigger," he said. "I just want my children to know you have to fight for what you believe in.

"This isn't about black people -- it's about doing the right thing ... and that the only way to effect change is to be active."

The parade began at Magic Island at 9 a.m. and consisted mostly of people, rather than flower-encrusted floats. Members of Hawaii's public unions cheered, and high school bands played. A Hawaiian activist marched in front of military color guards and shouted about America's illegal occupation of the 50th state.

A lone city bus with a plain black-and-white banner that read "Commemoration for Rosa Parks" made its way along the parade route.

For some it was a time of quiet reflection. Waikiki resident Greg Evans said he was lucky the parade temporarily shut down his shuttle bus route for Shell Vacations.

Instead of driving, he got to lean against a light post, sip some coffee and think about his childhood -- "just things that happened ... like the first time I watched 'Roots,'" he said. "That was the first time I got an idea of what really went on.

"This isn't about me taking a break from work. ... I'm just happy that I'm able to witness this."

Michigan residents Greg and Anna Thomas said they were both surprised to see Martin Luther King Jr. Day being observed in the middle of the Pacific.

"It's so far away you don't even think about it," Anna said, "but I'm very impressed. Some states still don't recognize it. ... In Michigan the schools take the day off, but they call it a teachers conference day. ... You can't even call it Martin Luther King Day."

San Diego resident Robert Valencia said he and his son Robert Jr. were just talking about Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks because he had a report to do for school.

Asked to summarize King's life, 7-year-old Robert Jr. replied, "He wanted everybody to be friends and that everybody could be one big group even though their skin color wasn't the same."

Gov. Linda Lingle issued a news release in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day that said essentially the same thing.

Lingle said, "Even in Hawaii, while we celebrate our diversity and embrace our differences, more work needs to be done to carry on Dr. King's legacy to overcome prejudices and to break down barriers so that we may secure justice, equality and dignity for every individual."

The parade ended with a Unity Rally at Kapiolani Park followed by games, entertainment and food until 4 p.m. For some, a perfect ending to an important day.

"I'm very grateful that they have a Martin Luther King Day parade," said Waikiki resident Roosevelt King. "I come every year, and afterwards I get to go down to the park for some catfish and ribs."