Hawaii faith leaders rally against immigration enforcement

News admin October 11, 2026 0 Comments

Hawaii faith leaders rally against immigration enforcement

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Nearly 40 faith leaders and community members gathered outside the Federal Detention Center in Honolulu, speaking out against increased immigration enforcement and calling for immigrants to be treated fairly.

The gathering brought together people from across the religious spectrum, including Buddhists, Unitarians, Episcopalians, Jews and atheists.

Fr. David Gierlach, vicar of Emmanuel Episcopal Church, said the group came together in response to increased immigration enforcement efforts.

“What brought us out was the news that ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) was beginning this dramatically increased roundup of people here and across the mainland,” Gierlach said.

Philip Riley, a former Waipahu High School teacher, said the immigration debate also raises questions about how the country recognizes its history and the contributions of immigrants.

“(The Trump) administration doesn’t want to give credit to what immigrants have brought to this country,” he said. “Not to mention, they want to curtail the history we don’t want to talk about: the Native Americans. We don’t want to talk about black history. Oh my God, we don’t want to talk about the Chinese coming and building the railroads. We don’t want to acknowledge our history. It’s sad.”

At the state level, a law signed this year requires state and county law enforcement officers to explain people’s rights before certain civil immigration interviews with federal authorities.

Related post: Immigrant rights advocates tout new Hawaii landmark laws aimed to ease ICE enforcement impacts

Pastor Ongo Koli of Trinity United Methodist Church in Pearl City said he has heard accounts of people being detained after arriving at Hawaii airports.

“I’ve heard some of my brothers and sisters who have traveled in the within the U.S. that have been detained as they got off the flights at the airport,” Koli said. “They don’t know yet why they’re being detained.”

Gierlach also urged residents to participate in the upcoming general election on Nov. 3 and said voters have a role in shaping the country’s direction on immigration policy.

“If you are not planning to vote, please reconsider. And if you think it doesn’t matter that you vote, you’re wrong,” he said.

Gierlach also criticized the federal administration’s immigration policies and called on voters to consider the role of Congress in shaping those policies.

“Donald Trump by himself can’t do a thing. It’s the sycophants around him, and it’s the Republican majority in Washington who allow all of this to happen. That’s what we need to change, and that’s what this election will allow us to change,” he said.