The Projector: Celebrations, Protests Open a Session of Challenges

Flying the Colors Students, some of them waving Hawaii state flags, occupy the Capitol rotunda on Wednesday morning.
A Day of Messages Kaloku Ritte, 3, stands with mother Mercy Ritte and helps hold signs at the Capitol, including one urging legislators to care for the land.
No Aloha for Seed Companies Anti-GMO demonstrators wear gas masks on the first floor of the Capitol during opening ceremonies.
Rotunda Scenes Various groups stake out territory in the Capitol rotunda on Opening Day.
With a Little Prompting Laptops scroll Senate President Donna Mercado Kim’s speech on teleprompters as she addresses the floor and the gallery.
Presiding Over Senate Senate President Donna Kim delivers her Opening Day address, in which she called for the elimination of the state Land Use Commission.
Protesting Big Money A masked demonstrator waves an oversized $100 bill on the first floor of the Capitol near anti-GMO signs.
House of Hula Hula dancers perform in the House chambers during Opening Day ceremonies.
Smaller Turnout for Real Work Chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee Jill Tokuda opens a sparsely attended meeting on the financial challenges facing lawmakers Wednesday afternoon in the Capitol auditorium.
A Minority of One Sam Slom, the only Republican member of the state Senate, reacts after Senate President Donna Mercado Kim introduces him Wednesday.

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About the Author

Cory Lum

Cory Lum was the chief photographer for Civil Beat.

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