A rally and march on Oahu and a march on Maui will mark the U.S. Supreme Court’s historic Roe vs. Wade decision that resulted in abortion on demand across the country more than 40 years ago.
The Oahu event is the 44th Annual Rally and March for Life, 12:30-8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20, at the Hawaii State Capitol.
The Maui march on Jan. 21 is the fifth annual observance sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. It begins at 9 a.m. at the corner of Kane Street and Kaahumanu Avenue in Kahului and proceeds to Christ the King Church.
The event at the State Capitol, sponsored by Aloha Life Advocates (formerly Hawaii Right to Life), will include live music, sign holding along Beretania Street, lei ceremonies at the statues of Queen Liliuokalani and St. Damien, speeches, testimonies and prayer.
Oahu’s keynote speaker is Chicago-born Protestant pastor and author Romel Duane Moore Sr. He has served as a pastor in Indiana, taught in prisons and juvenile facilities in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Georgia, Florida, Texas, and Hawaii, mentored with Big Brothers, Big Sisters and the Boys and Girls Club of America and is active with the Red Cross. He writes and publishes books under his Prayer Changes Things Publishing.
Also speaking at the capitol Benedictine Sister Celeste “CC” Cabral, a member of the Mary, Spouse of the Holy Spirit Monastery in Waialua. She is her religious community’s director of vocations, is a certified spiritual director, a spiritual advisor to the Catholic homeschool ministry, youth minister and retreat leader.
Deacon Kin Borja, president of Aloha Life Advocates, will also speak. Music will be provided by Hawaii Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services, Shanita Akana and Cynthia Milles. Advertised as a family event, the rally will include face painting, a poster contest and giveaways.
Bishop Silva will walk in the Maui march which will conclude in Christ the King Church with testimonies by women on their experiences with abortion and a prayer service.
Maui participants are being asked to find financial sponsors to pay one cent for each of the 2,000 steps in the march route to help the Malama Pregnancy Center to purchase an ultrasound machine. Maui marchers may also buy a specially-designed march T-shirt commemorating the event.
