Lawmakers walk path of humility

By B.J. Reyes
Associated Press

A small group of lawmakers went on a five-mile barefoot walk through the city visiting social service agencies and praying for Hawai'i's families on the Good Friday holiday.

About halfway through the march, as the group of nine reached the Capitol, Rep. Dennis Arakaki said he was starting to feel the blisters on his feet.

"Although it's a very painful experience, it's also a very humbling experience," Arakaki said.

Lawmakers who joined him in the march included Reps. Felipe Abinsay, Benjamin Cabreros, Galen Fox, Michael Kahikina and Marcus Oshiro.

The members of the Keiki Caucus and Fellowship Group said walking barefoot was a way to humble themselves before the people they serve.

"I think it's been a real blessing to meet the people along the way, especially at the homeless shelters for families — we saw some real needs there," Arakaki said. "I'm glad we did this."

They donated their shoes to Prevent Child Abuse Hawaii, a group that plans to display the shoes along with hundreds of others at the Capitol to symbolize the victims of child abuse in the Islands.

The march began at the Hawaii Food Bank on Mapunapuna Street.

In addition to the Capitol, the marchers planned stops for prayers at the O'ahu Community Correctional Center, Honolulu Community College, the Institute of Human Services homeless shelter, several public housing projects, City Hall, police headquarters, McKinley High School, the Alder Street youth detention facility, Shriners Hospital for Children and Central Union Church.

Arakaki said lawmakers had marched barefoot before, but he felt that the effort was much more meaningful this year after Sept. 11, "because the needs are even greater now."