State Legislators Pause To Support Hawai‘i Says NO MORE Week

HONOLULU, Hawai‘i – The respective bodies of the state legislature paused after their regular session today, to participate in the Hawai‘i Says NO MORE Week challenge. Organized by the Women’s Legislative Caucus, legislators from around the state held up the NO MORE placards with handwritten statements like, “NO MORE ‘Eha” (Hawaiian for sadness and hurt) and “NO MORE Bullying”.

State Representative Della Au Belatti, one of the organizers for State House members said, "today's recognition by lawmakers of Hawai‘i Says NO MORE is important in breaking the social stigma surrounding domestic violence and sexual assault in Hawai‘i. As a community, we stand together to say no more to violence and say yes to creating a culture of respect and aloha."

“The Hawai‘i Says No More campaign is about breaking that silence and challenging each of us to speak out about domestic violence, sex assault and other hurtful actions that impact the people we love,” said Senator Rosalyn Baker, co-convener for the Hawai‘i Women’s Legislative Caucus. “When we take a stand and take steps to make a change, we’re not only providing hope for the victims of these crimes, but also empowering future generations who will follow by positive example.”

Hawai‘i State Senate Majority Leader J. Kalani English echoed Senator Baker’s remarks by saying, “these issues affect people we love, our family members, our friends, sometimes they suffer in silence and we are here as their family, friends and legislators to say, we support you.”

"Throughout this week, Hawai‘i Says NO MORE core team members have taken our message about ending end sexual assault and domestic violence to every corner of the state. We are grateful to our State legislators for their support of the Hawai'i Says NO MORE campaign and helping us raise awareness about these issues by participating in the Hawai’i Says NO MORE selfie challenge," said Maile Zambuto, National Chief Executive Officer of Joyful Heart Foundation.

Hawai‘i Says NO MORE Week launched with the signing of a proclamation by Mayor Kirk Caldwell and the lighting of buildings throughout Honolulu, including Honolulu Hale. Bloomingdale’s Ala Moana will host an event this evening from 5-8pm with Honolulu based fashion designer Kini Zamora. Hawai‘i Says NO MORE t-shirts are available for $25 at Bloomingdale’s Ala Moana until Sunday. 100% of the proceeds of t-shirt sales will be donated benefit Hawai’i Says NO MORE efforts to end sexual assault and domestic violence.

On Friday, Hawai‘i Says NO MORE invites all downtown offices and businesses to stop by Bishop Square during lunch hours (11am – 1pm) where eight versions of the Hawai‘i Say NO MORE print ads will be displayed on 8ft tall by 4ft wide cubes. Visitors to Bishop Square can engage in the campaign’s Hawai‘i Says NO MORE selfie challenge and pick up their free Hawai’i Says NO MORE car magnet.

Kapolei Commons is displaying the NO MORE symbol and its buildings are lit in NO MORE blue through Sunday. Regal Kapolei Commons 12 will display Hawai‘i Says NO MORE print ads.

Hawai‘i Says NO MORE car magnets are available at over 20 locations across the Hawai‘i. For locations, visit: hawaiisaysnomore.com/magnet.

Businesses including AdWalls Hawai‘i, Bloomingdale's, Hagadone Printing, Kapolei Commons, Kobayashi Group, MacNaughton Group, Royal Theaters, and Wall-to-Wall Studios have also provided generous support to help raise visibility during Hawai‘i Says NO MORE Week.

About Hawai‘i Says NO MORE | www.hawaiisaysnomore.org

Hawaiʻi Says NO MORE is the local version of the national NO MORE public awareness and engagement campaign focused on ending domestic violence and sexual assault. Using the signature blue symbol to increase visibility and foster greater dialogue, Hawaiʻi Says NO MORE challenges the attitudes and behaviors that lead to this violence and promotes local values that reflect aloha, respect and our connections through ‘ohana.

Facebook: @HawaiiSaysNOMORE

Instagram: @HawaiiSaysNOMORE

Twitter: HISaysNOMORE

Hawai’i Says NO MORE Core Team Members: Catholic Charities of Hawai‘i, Child & Family Service, Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Hawai‘i State Commission on the Status of Women, Hawaii Youth Services Network, Joyful Heart Foundation, Parents And Children Together, Department of the Attorney General, Department of Human Services, The University of Hawai‘i at Hilo Student Health and Wellness Programs, The University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Office of Gender Equity, The University of Hawai‘i System: Office of Institutional Equity, Windward Spouse Abuse Shelter, Women Helping Women Maui and Lanaʻi, and YWCA O‘ahu.

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