Maybe I shouldn’t write this story. I mulled over that thought for weeks. After all, how could I write about the Westboro Baptist Church, “arguably the most obnoxious and rabid hate group in America,” without giving them the attention they thrive off? What could I add to more than a decade of reporting on their hateful and vulgar anti-LGBTQ crusade? What point … [Read more...] about Love Wins: What happened when the Westboro Baptist Church came to Maui
Freedom of Speech
ACLU Sues State of Hawaii Over Lame Protest Permit Requirements
You may know the Hawaii chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) from such recent civil rights battles as the war over whether citizens can carry signs on public roads in the County of Maui (settled in October 2013!), distribute religious literature on public sidewalks (still pending!) and whether a county employee can administer a blog that satirizes a Maui cop … [Read more...] about ACLU Sues State of Hawaii Over Lame Protest Permit Requirements
Rock Stars, Celebs and Has-Beens Say Their Friends Will Buy Big Homes in Hawaii If Legislature Passes Steven Tyler Act And Criminalizes Paparazzi
The news was abuzz this morning with word that Steven Tyler himself would be testifying this morning in front of the Senate Judiciary and Labor Committee on SB 465, the so-called "Steven Tyler Act" that would criminalize the taking of photos of famous persons, even if such persons were in public areas. (Click here to see the testimony outlined below, as well as the status and … [Read more...] about Rock Stars, Celebs and Has-Beens Say Their Friends Will Buy Big Homes in Hawaii If Legislature Passes Steven Tyler Act And Criminalizes Paparazzi
County of Maui Censors MauiTime!
This morning, Maui County employees confiscated copies of this week's issue of MauiTime, which contained a cartoon image of Mayor Charmaine Tavares on the cover, accompanying a story about "The Seven Scariest State & County Elected Officials." Publisher Tommy Russo confronted the employees, who replaced the issues on the rack, and then spoke with Public Information Officer … [Read more...] about County of Maui Censors MauiTime!