Kokua Line: National Guard signs

Question: Who is responsible for the "Go National Guard" signs along the Ala Wai Canal? I think they're billboards, even though they are small.

[Makahadude]

Typical Oahu traffic, at least you finally got through. Remember the pedestrian overpass.

Being held hostage in traffic for hours a day is just a fact of life here.

I'm SURE if the rail system was in place, the traffic wouldn't have been stopped (PS that's a joke if you didn't get my sarcasm).

[Hapa Hawaiian]

The outdoor circle is annoying! Everytime I see their name I hear whining. I agree that the signs are ugly, and appreciate the National Guard taking them down, but kudeesh! The recruiter who put them up was doing his job, in fact a job for Hawaii's Own, that's you Bob! They were referred to as the Army, big difference! Outdoor circle, what do you do with your lives? Bob Loy, go back to writing/producing award winning pieces, stay inside. Join the indoor cirlce!

[Edumacated Moke]

Sometimes I think Kokua Line should be renamed to "The Waahmbulance".

[jhon king]

im a civilian retired army gaurd
to say it is wrong to put up sighns supporting the gaurd is a slap in the face to the hawaii army national gaurd soldiers. these national gaurdsman who needs hawaii's support are just not getting it
soldiers who are on call when a storm or a natural disater happens the ones that help you

and as we all know the hawaii gaurd is getting deployed again

support.. is crucial

so leave them be i say

[Concerned Citizen]

Mr Loy, the only "slap in the face" is your lack of support for Hawaii's National Guard. These are the son's and daughters of Hawaii who have sworn to protect our people and our islands.

[soldier getting deployed]

i laughed well reading these it's those people who could care less about there own hawaii national gaurd soldiers billboard law every sighn people put up should be taken down

then even if its for church or any other sighn on the side of the road
my mom is happy when she see's a sighn like that she knows im in thee gaurd serving our country and helping hawaii doing hardships...

shes proud to see a sighn that says national gaurd because she knows support is needed...

so if you wanna go by laws who would be there if anything happend to hawaii

"the national gaurd" "go gaurd"

outdoor circle it;s sad to say that these soldiers give there lives for you well you so no sighn posting
remember that

[Mililani Girl]

Maybe the signs should have been approved before being posted, but, who cares. Go Guard!!

[pops]

well first off GO GAURD.. and to those who say it is wrong to put such things up are .. crazy.. before writing such and article about are
WAHINE, KANE Of the national gaurd take the time to think...... why bad mouth gurd.. on the star bulletin
and star bulletin shame one you

there was no need for it to placed in the papers..//

shame on you all its a little kid act

[National Guard Signs]

To Mr. Loy,

In response to your article and way in which you came across towards the military... Let me remind you all that the "Military" has a huge $$ support to the State of Hawaii, also that having "anti-military" feelings is wrong in America.. Lets remember that the reason why we are free is because of the Military doing what it does. You either stand by it 100% without question or you don't.

[Stan]

I'd put a Go Guard sign in my yard before I'd put one for some politition.

[SIGN OF THE TIMES]

For those of us who remember Hurricane Iniki and the path of destruction it had left behind... Nobody complained about the signs being posted outside our homes asking the National Guard for help, or thanking them for their service.

As for the overzealous individual who placed these signs... Shouldn't we all be overzealous about supporting Hawaii's soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines?

This article has nothing to do with National Guard signs cluttering Hawaii's landscape... Otherwise Ms Watanabe and Mr Loy would be complaining about Aunty's garage sale signs being posted every weekend. This is nothing more than a forum for two sad individuals to indirectly express their political agendas and dislike for an organization made up of the "People of Hawaii".

I've seen these signs with my own eyes too. They don't say "Go National Guard" the message is not directing anyone to do anything. The sign says, "National Guard - Defending Freedom". Simply making a statement, reminding those of us that our basic rights, and the islands that we love are being protected by citizen-soldiers. Hawaiian Warriors that are our neighbors, Ohana, and friends.

Lastly, who appointed Mr Loy as the spokesman for the people of Hawaii. He is arrogant enough to claim that he knows what is best for Hawaii's citizens. To say that a patriotic sign is a "Slap in the face" of the people of Hawaii is a pretty bold statement. The only people being disrespected are the Kane and Wahine in ALL branches of service.

Sadly the two of you have nothing better to do than chase yard signs all day. I feel sorry for the both of you... that a temporary message of freedom moves the two of you to go so far as to write an article to the Star Bulletin.

If you let a sign bother you that much, then you can put them in my yard... but don't think for a second that my ohana will allow you to take them back down.

Since neither of you are capable, then let me be the first to apologize to the servicemen and women of Hawaii for you.

[UNSLAPPED HAWAIIAN]

AUWE Mr. Loy,

How would you know what the people of Hawaii think is a slap in the face? Were you here for Hurricane Iwa? Hurricane Iniki? Did you not see what happened 3 years ago in the gulf? Those “people” whom responded during these times of crisis/natural disaster, were in fact National Guardsmen and women helping to assist their own community in any way shape or form necessary.

I don't think that the people of Hawaii felt slapped in the face when the National Guard responded to their homes and their communities during the earthquake off of the Big Island.

I am sure that you feel what you said was correct, but I couldn't disagree more. As a Hawaiian, and a Soldier whom has served, "Hawaii's Own, National Guard" now for over 20 years I am simply insulted that you would assume you speak for the people of Hawaii.

[enufalready]

War without end. Better to call the guard what it has become- the international guard. What with endless deployments overseas and a minimum of involvements in state matters, the guards serve as a kind of cover for the miserably low recruitment rates for the services.

[HIARNGmom]

I am the daughter of a decorated retired Lt. Col. in the Army of these United States.
I am the mother of a soldier in Hawaii's Own -- the Hawaii Army National Guard.
Hua!
I am thankful that Hawaii has an anti billboard law, but you know, those Guard signs are relatively small, patriotic looking, not gaudy, not commercial (not REALLY, anyway) and are totally removable (wires stuck in the ground), which I believe means they fall within at least SOME Outdoor Circle guidelines.
I know the OC folks are passionate about their mission and am happy that they are. Nevertheless, I think the statement of veteran Hawaii newsman Mr. Loy, saying the signs are a slap in the face -- was over the top. His words were a slap to MY face, my late father's face and to my son's face -- as well as other servicemembers' faces.
Ms. Watanabe has a responsibility to respond to inquiries she receives from readers. So many readers have likely seen and wondered about these signs, that her writing about them was a logical topic.
No agenda there, other than serving readers of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin.

[TeriYaki]

soldier getting deployed wrote:

i laughed well reading these it's those people who could care less about there own hawaii national gaurd soldiers billboard law every sighn people put up should be taken down
then even if its for church or any other sighn on the side of the road
my mom is happy when she see's a sighn like that she knows im in thee gaurd serving our country and helping hawaii doing hardships...
shes proud to see a sighn that says national gaurd because she knows support is needed...
so if you wanna go by laws who would be there if anything happend to hawaii
"the national gaurd" "go gaurd"
outdoor circle it;s sad to say that these soldiers give there lives for you well you so no sighn posting
remember that

Before you get deployed, please learn how to spell.

[Jazzy girl]

I don't understand Mr. Loy... the very fact that he can say it is a "slap in the face of the people of Hawaii" is disheartening. How can he speak for all? Who does he think fights for his freedom, with very little pay. As a former Hawaii resident, I was there when Hurricane Iniki and Iwa came through; thank goodness the Guards were there to help me and my family. I am a proud military brat, my father served in the US Navy for over 20 years. Also, my bother-in-law is in the Navy and his Carrier was on its way to Iraq but was re-routed to Indonesia when the tsunami hit. The men and women on that Carrier gave their personal items to the countless families that lost everything. Here is thanking all the men and women of the military who fight for my freedom everyday!!!

[NOCAN]

National Guard Recruiters are not above the law.
Thank you Outdoor Circle!

[Napster]

I don't think Mr. Loy was saying anything bad about the Guard. He was just saying that it was wrong to put up those signs...just as it would be wrong for anyone to do so without the proper permits.

[SIGN OF THE TIMES]

I would like to extend my sincerest apologies to Ms Watanabe. I now recognize that she is only honoring her responsibility to respond to her readers questions.

[SIGN OF THE TIMES]

Teri Yaki,

Before you choose to criticize a Soldier who is sworn to protect his country... perhaps you should choose to become one.
If you can't stand behind our servicemen and women, then feel free to stand in front of them.