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Photos: Opening day of the 2024 Hawaiʻi State Legislature

Hawaiʻi Public Radio | By Krista Rados
Published January 17, 2024 at 3:15 PM HST
Opening day of the 32nd legislative session at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol on Jan. 17, 2024.
Krista Rados
/
HPR
A line of people wait to go through the Hawaiʻi State Capitol's metal detectors before entering the Senate chamber for opening remarks on Jan. 17, 2024.

Hundreds of lawmakers and community members gathered at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol on Wednesday for the opening day of the 32nd legislative session.

Not long after the first light of the day peaked into the Capitol's rotunda, groups crowded into the building, where they were met with increased security measures and long lines.

Simultaneously, a different type of event was taking place. The ʻOnipaʻa Peace March, an annual walk to recognize the day Queen Liliʻuokalani was forcibly removed from her throne in 1893, filled the nearby streets with Native Hawaiian organizers.

Here is a look on the ground:

A statue of Queen Liliʻuokalani at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol on opening day of the 2024 legislative session. (Jan. 17, 2024)
Krista Rados
/
HPR
A statue of Queen Liliʻuokalani stands vacant at 8 a.m. as groups have already entered the Hawaiʻi State Capitol to set up demonstrations.
Opening day of the 32nd legislative session at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol on Jan. 17, 2024.
Krista Rados
/
HPR
An advocate of the Hawaiʻi Children's Action Network stands on the state Capitol's steps, watching keiki perform in front of the Queen Liliʻuokalani statue.
Opening day of the 32nd legislative session at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol on Jan. 17, 2024.
Krista Rados
/
HPR
Students from Mālama Honua Charter School traveled from Waimānalo to perform hula in front of the state Capitol before the opening remarks began at 10 a.m.
Opening day of the 32nd legislative session at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol on Jan. 17, 2024.
Krista Rados
/
HPR
Advocates from the United Public Workers union pose for a photo outside of the state Capitol.
Thousands of participants walked through Honolulu during the ʻOnipaʻa Peace March on Jan. 17, 2024.
Krista Rados
/
HPR
Outside of the opening session at the state Capitol, hundreds of students and parents took to the streets for the ʻOnipaʻa Peace March.
The Hawaiʻi House of Representatives on opening day of the 2023 legislative session. (Jan. 18, 2023)
Local News
HPR's coverage of the 2024 Hawaiʻi legislative session

Visitors faced new security checkpoints on opening day of the 32nd legislative session at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol on Jan. 17, 2024.
Krista Rados
/
HPR
New security measures to enter both the Senate and House chambers from the main floor caused long lines. In July, the state announced the installation of three walkthrough metal detectors at the Capitol — two at the street-level entrances and one in the basement.
Krista Rados
/
HPR
A man stands with his arms out while being scanned for security before entering the Senate chamber. This session, the Capitol is preparing to add X-ray machines for bags at three checkpoints and relocate public parking across the street near the state Department of Health.
Thousands of participants walked through Honolulu during the Onipaʻa Peace March on Jan. 17, 2024.
Krista Rados
/
HPR
Spectators watched as hundreds of students walked in the organized ʻOnipaʻa Peace March, which happened simultaneously with the opening day of the 32nd State Legislature.
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Local News State Legislature
Krista Rados
Krista Rados is a Digital News Producer at Hawaiʻi Public Radio. Contact her at krados@hawaiipublicradio.org.
See stories by Krista Rados
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