Hawaii Residents Outraged by State Flag Ban
A homeowners' association in Hawaii has sparked significant controversy after prohibiting residents from flying the state flag on their properties. The Ewa by Gentry Community Association, which oversees more than 8,000 properties near Pearl Harbor, updated its community guidelines to explicitly ban the Hawaiian flag while permitting only the American flag.
The association, led by President Jason Locke, defended the decision as necessary to protect aesthetic appeal and property values in the neighbourhood. However, the move immediately drew fierce criticism from local residents who view the ban as an attack on their cultural identity.
Political Backlash and Constitutional Concerns
Former state Representative Kaniela Ing, who served from 2012 to 2018, emerged as a vocal opponent of the new policy. Ing took to social media to condemn the ban, calling it a violation of the U.S. Constitution and questioning why residents couldn't proudly display their state flag in Hawaii itself.
The 36-year-old politician posted a video showing himself and local children holding Hawaiian flags outside the HOA's headquarters in protest. 'We just gotta make it legal to be Hawaiian in Hawaii,' Ing remarked sarcastically in his social media post, inviting others to join him in opposing the controversial rule.
Residents received emails informing them they had until November 13 to remove state flags from their properties. The communication specifically stated that 'all other flags are prohibited' aside from the American flag, with an asterisk explicitly mentioning the Hawaiian flag.
Community Resistance Forces HOA Reconsideration
The ban triggered widespread anger across the community, with many residents vowing to defy the new regulation. One community member declared, 'The Hae Hawaii stood long before the U.S., and we're not removing it or letting anyone erase our history.'
Others pointed to freedom of speech protections, with one resident stating, 'It's called freedom of speech. You can fly whatever flag you want.' Some suggested the HOA could face legal challenges over the policy, noting potential First Amendment violations.
Facing mounting backlash and even threats toward board members, the HOA announced on Saturday that it would reconsider the ban. The organisation stated that the Board of Directors recognises and deeply respects the cultural and historical significance of the Hawaii State flag and would revise the policy to include it.
The association expressed being 'gravely concerned' about recent threats while clarifying that staff don't create policy but merely enforce rules adopted by volunteer homeowner board members. The HOA committed to building and supporting the community 'in a fair and representative fashion' moving forward.
