By Melvin Ah Ching | A crowd of about 100 to 150 showed up at the Hawaii State Capitol on Friday April 15 to rally against new taxes, wasteful government spending and more at the 3rd Annual Hawaii TEA (Taxed Enough Already) Party. The political banter against more taxes and for smaller, more accountable government was on the menu as several speakers including State Senator Sam Slom, Honolulu Traffic.com’s Cliff Slater and Professor Panos Prevedouros took turns addressing the attentive crowd.
Attendance at the TEA Party was smaller this year than in the past. This was probably due to it being a non-election year and the fact that the weather was not very sunny. Parking in the downtown Capitol district is always a problem, especially for individuals who have to drive in, find and pay for parking.
The Hawaii State Legislature is still in session and is planning to press for more tax and fee increases in order to make up for the budget shortfall this year and next.
Kawika Crowley is one of several taxpayers who spoke against higher taxes and government waste.
Some people came to sign wave, others to listen and some to speak.
More TEA Party photos at this link.