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A Big Island high school senior has followed the actions of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick by taking a knee during the national anthem before the start of his Kailua-Kona football games this season.
However, Mason Kaawa-Loa, a senior student at Kealakehe High School, said he’s doing it because of what he thinks were injustices done to the Native Hawaiian people by the United States, according to a story in West Hawaii Today.
“I see it as my own message,” said Kaawa-Loa in a story printed in the Kailua-Kona newspaper today.
“I got the idea from Colin Kaepernick. I saw that taking a knee was a respectful way to send a message. I have a lot of respect for America and the people who fight for this country. But I’m not ignorant and don’t just want to be seen as a follower.”
Backup 49ers quarterback Kaepernick in August began refusing to stand during the playing of the national anthem, citing racial divides that include the police shootings of sometimes unarmed African-Americans.
“There are some things that shouldn’t have been changed here and I feel that I can’t stand for something I don’t believe in,” Kaawa-Loa said, citing the annexation of Hawaii. “I’m not going to say it was completely bad because we got a lot of resources out of it. I am saying it was wrong. We can’t change it now, but I feel like there are improvements that can be made.”
But Kaawa-Loa stands on the sideline for “Hawaii Ponoi” — the state anthem.
The Big Island Interscholastic Federation and the high school said there is no policy that requires student-athletes to stand during the national anthem., the newspaper reported.
Kealakehe head coach Sam Kekuaokalani told the newspaper that since Kaawa-Loa decided to take a knee, he has spoken with him on multiple occasions about his motives and thoughts. Recently, Kekuaokalani assigned Kaawa-Loa to write a paper if he wanted to continue his stance.
“I have spoken to him about it and I am trying to use it as an educational opportunity,” Kekuaokalani said. “He’s thinking about it a little more. I want him to fully understand the thoughts behind his actions.”
Kaawa-Loa said he hasn’t spoken to his teammates about his actions.
“They have their own opinions and I have mine,” Kaawa-Loa said. “Whatever they choose is fine by me.”
The Waveriders next game is Saturday at their home stadium.
Kaawa-Loa’s actions during the anthem are not expected to change.
“I’m going to continue to do this,” he said. “This is what I feel is the right thing to do.”
This week the Pacific Fleet reported that Petty Officer 2nd Class Janaye Ervin, an intelligence specialist Navy reservist, may face actions for failing to stand and salute during the playing of the national anthem on Sept. 19 at Pearl Harbor.
A Pacific Fleet spokesman said Navy regulations require uniformed personnel to stand and salute during the playing of the national anthem, Military members in civilian attire are required to stand and hold their hand over their heart.
On Sunday, there were protests at NFL games involving more than 40 players representing the Oakland Raiders, Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Rams, Houston Texans, Philadelphia Eagles, San Diego Chargers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Carolina Panthers, Washington Redskins, and San Francisco 49ers.
There also have been reports of other high school players on the mainland participating in similar anthem protests.
Ok, so he can’t stand for something he doesn’t believe in, big deal.
Young man’s future will probably entail carrying signs, piling rocks on roads and cashing a welfare check. Well done.
Copy cat is what this young man is. Why didn’t he do it before the kapernic thing? I want to see him start a rally at the state capital and voice his beliefs. From then we’ll see if he’s a true Hawaiian or a flake.
I agree Kopy Kat !
As can be expected, now behavior that wouldn’t have been tolerated 20 years ago by professional athletes has filtered down to the high school level. Thank you Number 7 for ignorantly passing the blame of violence and homicide to law enforcement, when the facts only support the VAST majority of violence committed on African-American is by black americans. This includes property crimes too.
Please, do not give him any publicity. None.
Pre-schoolers will take a knee and the SA will publish something for click bait.
Nebraska Board of Regents said it best…They don’t have to play…kick em off the team
Etiquette: “A constant series of small sacrifices that make life easier for all of us”. Emily Post. “Aloha”?
Only time will tell how far the young man’s intentions will take him. Everyone seems to be doing the symbolic thing nowadays but to make a difference, you’ve got to do the “meat and potatos” thing. Get your hands dirty by doing detailed research into the matter and knowing existing laws that may help to actually craft a solution. Symbolic gestures are awareness tools but if you’re sincere about change, you need to actually work hard to get it done. There are a lot of “America, love it or leave it” people but if you truly love America and embrace our democracy, you don’t bail. You work within the system and fight it till it’s right. The onus is now on the young man to see this thru. Good luck!
Well said! I served the country for 20 years and love our nation; flaws and all. One of the things I dislike is the desecration of the Flag that so many of our countrymen of all colors died for. If he doesn’t want to stand that’s his right; one I fought for him to have. Much work, soul searching and deciding to do the right thing needs to be done by many people and at multiple levels in this country to combat this social injustice. Lets help the our community out of this mess not with handouts but an actual piece of the American Dream.