4 days ago
Hawaiʻi is doing this for the first time in history. How you can see it
HONOLULU (KHON2) — On Monday, June 2, 2025, Hawaiʻi is marking a historic milestone as Pride flags are being flown at the State Capitol for the first time in history.
Governor Josh Green, M.D. authorized the display which is raising eight flags along South Beretania Street, to commemorate Pride Month.
The flags include the progressive Pride flag, which incorporates rainbow stripes representing people of color, transgender individuals, intersex individuals and those living with HIV/AIDS.
Dean Hamer, co-director of the Lei Pua ʻAla Queer Histories of Hawaiʻi Project, expressed his excitement.
'We are very excited that this year, for the first year ever, the Hawaiʻi state capital is going to be flying pride flags,' Hamer said.
He emphasized the significance of this act, especially in the current climate where several states have restricted the display of Pride flags.
'It's especially exciting right now as we are witnessing this sort of regression where now 12 different states are trying to or already have restricted the flying of pride flags,' Hamer Wilson, co-director of the project, highlighted the importance of the Capitol as a symbol of governance and representation.
'Especially there. Right. Because, you know, in that building, that big, beautiful building on Beretania Street. Our lives and, you know, the issues that intersect with the lives of people across our communities are often on the agenda in that building,' Wilson remarked.
He continued, 'So to see these flags as a symbol of, you know, the diversity of our communities that were seen and, in this case, in a respected way, in a place where decisions are being made by people, about our lives.'
Michael Golojuch, Jr., Vice-Chair of the Hawaiʻi State LGBTQ+ Commission, praised the event as a culmination of years of advocacy.
'We were thrilled when Governor Josh Green granted permission to fly the Pride Flags for the month of June. It marks the first time in our state's history this honor has been bestowed in recognition of Pride Month,' explained Commissioner Golojuch. 'It all began with the Hawaiʻi State LGBTQ+ Commission's request for a proclamation declaring June as Pride Month, something that hasn't happened since the Abercrombie administration. From that first step, the momentum grew, leading to this year's historic Pride Flag Raising Ceremony hosted by the Governor himself.'
The flag-raising ceremony was part of a broader initiative to honor and uplift the LGBTQ+ community in Hawaiʻi. Earlier this year, the Hawaiʻi State LGBTQ+ Commission hosted its inaugural Queer Day at the Capitol which brought together various advocacy groups to discuss key issues impacting the LGBTQ+ community.
'This moment highlights exactly why the Hawaiʻi State LGBTQ+ Commission exists. Our mission is, in part, to bridge the gap between the Māhū, LGBTQIA+ and QTPI+ communities and state government,' explained Commissioner Golojuch. 'It's a powerful culmination to a year of historic milestones, from the first Queer Day at the Capitol to the creation of a state-sponsored glossary focused on Māhū and LGBTQIA+ terminology.'
The Lei Pua ʻAla Queer Histories of Hawaiʻi Project continues to document and memorialize Hawaiʻi's long history of gender and sexual diversity. Through initiatives like the Hui Alo Lei PUA Ala collaboration with the Maui Public Art Corps, the project fosters intergenerational dialogue within the queer community.
'We're also quite excited about a partnership we've had with the Maui Public Art Corps called Hui Alo Lei PUA Ala,' said Wilson. 'And this is an effort, to interview and create intergenerational dialog between, people in the queer community, to share their stories and then invite creative performing artists to interpret those interviews in a beautiful pop-up performance.'
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As Hawaiʻi celebrates this historic achievement, the raised Pride flags serve as a powerful symbol of visibility, respect, and inclusion for the LGBTQ+ community. In a time when many states are moving backward, Hawaiʻi stands as a beacon of progress and acceptance.
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