No Dictators rally in Honolulu draws crowd ahead of midterm elections

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Demonstrators gathered at the Hawaii State Capitol on Saturday for another No Dictators rally, expressing concerns about the country’s political direction and the importance of protecting voting rights ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.

Chaz Hill, a Palolo Valley resident, said voting plays a critical role in the country’s future.

“Voting determines whether or not democracy survives in the United States of America. We are at that point now,” Hill said.

Zane Dalgamouni, with Students in Man Action for Gun Sense and Indivisible Hawaii, said he is concerned President Donald Trump’s actions could lead to challenges to election results.

“We want to ensure that everyone gets their voice heard, no matter if they’re Democrat or Republican, and make sure that we all get to enjoy the right to elections,” Dalgamouni said.

Demonstrators carried signs criticizing the administration and raising concerns about the country’s institutions.

Concerns over leadership and institutions

Hill pointed to recent leadership appointments in the White House as an example of what he believes threatens democratic institutions.

“They’re destroying our democracy, destroying our institutions by appointing unqualified people in leadership,” Hill said.

Honolulu resident Frank Hickey said he believes the upcoming election is particularly important and worries about the consequences of waiting to address political concerns.

“So these votes do matter… it’s always more difficult to play catch-up afterwards than it is to prevent it,” Hickey said.

Despite their concerns, participants said they plan to vote in the upcoming election.

Hill said he and his spouse received their ballots by mail and planned to vote that weekend.

“What I think Americans and we Hawaii residents know well is that if you don’t exercise your rights, you could lose them,” Hill said.

How to vote in Honolulu

Hawaii’s general election is Nov. 3. Voters can cast their ballots by mail or vote in person at designated voter service centers.

In Honolulu, voter service centers at Honolulu Hale and Kapolei Hale open Oct. 20 and will operate Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through Nov. 2. On Election Day, they will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Voted mail ballots must be received by the county elections division by 7 p.m. on Nov. 3.

For more information about voting, visit the Hawaii Office of Elections.