GOP lawmaker assailed for criticizing rainbow flags at ‘Ewa school

A state lawmaker who raised concerns about pride flags on display at ‘Ewa Makai Middle School on his social media channels over the weekend faced strong criticism from teachers and a fellow Republican who called him “rubbish” and a “hater” who should be voted out of office.

State Rep. Elijah Pierick (R, Royal Kunia, Village Park, Honouliuli, Hoʻopili, and part of Waipahu) also serves as the assistant minority floor leader in the State House.

Over the weekend, Pierick posted a video on two Instagram accounts about a tour he received of ‘Ewa Makai Middle School from its Principal Kim Sanders. He praised the school for being “inclusive” and creating a welcoming atmosphere for military students but raised concerns about pride flags on the campus.

“There is one object I want to point out. And that is the LGBTQ flag outside of her office and in different office spaces throughout the school,” Pierick said in the video.

“And you might be thinking to yourself, ‘What does that flag actually represent? What is it conveying to our middle school students?’ This is what it means. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual, plus. Are these the kinds of concepts and lifestyles we want to be conveying to our middle school students every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday all year round? Or should this be a conversation geared toward the home?” Pierick asked.

“I’m a state representative and I just got a tour of the school and I believe my constituents have the right to know what is going on in the school, what kind of symbols are being promoted and what kind of messages are being conveyed to the students,” added Pierick, who does not represent ‘Ewa Makai Middle School in the State House.

“So if you have a thought on it or a concern, please reach out to the principal and let her know what you think,” he said as he concluded the video, flashing a graphic of her school phone number and email address.

Senator Fevella says ‘I want you to apologize;’ tells voters to ‘Vote the hater out’

Pierick’s social media post raised the ire of a fellow Republican, state Sen. Kurt Fevella, who represents ‘Ewa Beach, Ocean Pointe, ‘Ewa by Gentry, Iroquois Point, and a portion of ‘Ewa Villages in the Senate. Prior to being elected to the Senate in 2018, Fevella worked as a custodian at ‘Ewa Makai Middle School.

In a 35-minute Facebook live Wednesday afternoon, Fevella railed against Pierick.

“You have your nerve to judge my principal, my community,” Fevella said. “And who is Elijah, representative, I’m not gonna call him representative, he don’t deserve the title. Who is Elijah dare for talk to my principal about the LGBQ community?”

“If anybody think they gonna attack my community because they have rainbow flag in their school in their office, where you’re supposed to welcome everybody?” Fevella continued. “This guy is rubbish. He’s rubbish by talking like that. I felt offended when I finally seen it.”

“I love you Kim Sanders, you awesome! I seen how you work with the kids. All the kids. Equally. Equally!” Fevella said, praising his former boss. “She does a darn good job at the school. I’m proud of her.”

Addressing Pierick, Fevella said, “I want you to apologize in public… and in writing. You should apologize to all the parents of ‘Ewa Makai community. Not just the LGB community, Everyone that attends the school.”

“If anything happened to a community member because of your stupid video, which I recommend that you take down, yeah? Elijah, I’m disappointed in you, big time,” he added.

Addressing the voters of the area, Fevella said of Pierick, “He’s up for election in two years. Vote that hater out.”

Fifteen state representatives have filed a letter of complaint with the state House’s chief clerk, claiming the video may have broken state laws, and harassed students and faculty, according to Hawaii News Now.

“Not only are their rights of expression regarding gender identity protected, but defended by your local governments and by your school administrators,” said state Rep. Sonny Ganaden (D, Kalihi), one of the authors of the complaint letter told HNN.

“What Rep. Pierick did was unacceptable,” Ganaden added.

Organizers of Saturday’s Prince Kūhiō Parade in Kapolei announced they have removed Pierick from the parade lineup.

The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement Friday issued a letter to Pierick saying he will not be allowed to participate in the parade “because of his recent public remarks criticizing ʻEwa Makai Middle School’s support of inclusivity for the LGBTQ+ community,” according to a statement reported by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

HSTA president: Pierick’s comments ‘hurtful’ and ‘small-minded’

In reaction to Pierick’s social media post, Hawaii State Teachers Association President Osa Tui, Jr. said, “Our public schools, including ‘Ewa Makai Middle, are safe spaces for students that nurture and reflect the diversity within our communities. In these islands where the spirit of aloha and ‘ohana are meant to permeate, hatred and bigotry have no place.”

“Elected officials should not be using their position to shame and humiliate a whole class of people, trying to erase their existence from our schools. Mahalo to Sen. Fevella of ‘Ewa Beach for voicing the outrage that is felt by so many regarding the small-minded and hurtful views expressed by his fellow legislator that are completely out of alignment with the values we hold dear here in the Aloha State,” Tui added.

Sarah Milianta-Laffin, a teacher at ‘Ilima Intermediate School, posted this comment on Fevella’s Facebook post that condemned Pierick: “As a teacher at Ilima Intermediate who runs an after-school club to support LGBTQ+ youth, your comments in support mean a lot to me. Thank you for your leadership; we were devastated when we saw his video this weekend. It was my students who kept sending it to me. Students are very concerned these new Republican Reps are trying to turn Hawai‘i into FL.”

Social media comments overwhelmingly condemn Pierick’s post

As of Thursday morning, Pierick’s Instagram post on his official state representative account had 83 comments, the overwhelming majority of which blasted him for his misguided video and its message. Here is a sample of some of them:

• “Your ‘lifestyle’ choice is clearly being an evil hatemonger. Shame on you for turning a hateful mob on this dedicated principal. This is why teachers are leaving the profession in droves. Take this post down. Shame on you!”
• “It seems to me you may actually be afraid of inclusivity, diversity, equality, equity and justice because those are some of the defining parts of what the LGBTQIA+ flag represents.”
• “Why discriminate against your own constituents? Shame on you. Shame on you. Take your religion out of our politics.”
• “Is this a real account? Has it been hacked? Surely no State Rep would bash a school principal like this…while misspelling ‘Principal.’”
• “You made a school full of children a potential target of radical homophobia. Do you know how that can end? What were you thinking? Do you have any grasp of the issues at all?”
• “Feel free to leave Hawai‘i if you don’t have aloha for all of Hawai‘i’s people including our queer and trans ohana.”
• “Thank you Principal Sanders for holding space for ALL of our keiki! Now the message you are sending is don’t vote for me because I only serve those that fit in a certain box!”

Several commenters said they sent Sanders, the ‘Ewa Makai Middle principal, emails to show her support.

As of Wednesday night, Pierick’s campaign Instagram account, which posted the same video, had just two comments about it, both of them supportive of the principal and the flags.

“I am so grateful those flags are on display to provide the support EVERY student deserves!!!” said the first commenter.

A second commenter said, “I’m so glad those flags are on display so our LGBTQ+ students know they can feel safe and included at school! ”