Despite weekend protests rumors, Hawaii’s Capitol was quiet Sunday

Just one event took place: Onipa’a, a ceremony to mark the 128 years since the overthrow of the Hawaiian kingdom.
Law enforcement seemed to be the only ones present at the State Capitol Sunday.
Law enforcement seemed to be the only ones present at the State Capitol Sunday.(HNN)
Updated: Jan. 17, 2021 at 6:18 PM HST
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HONOLULU, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) - Fliers circulating on social media following the Jan. 6 attack on the nation’s capital warned of more unrest in the days leading up to Joe Biden’s inauguration.

This weekend specifically, Sunday Jan. 17, was outlined in one flier that called for armed marches at all capitol buildings across the country.

Bracing for large, unruly crowds, state officials put up barricades and fences around the Hawaii State Capitol, and beefed up security. But the effort seemed to be precautionary as there was a significant absence of crowds and protestors over the weekend.

It seemed police officers were the only people outside the state building Sunday as no major gatherings or rallies were reported in the area.

It was a similar scene in mainland states as windows were boarded up and officers lined steps — only to be met with little to no protest groups, which is a welcomed sigh of relief for law enforcement around the country.

[Read more: Small numbers of protesters gather at fortified US capitols]

One previously planned event did take place however: Onipa’a, a march to mark 128 years since the illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian kingdom.

A small group of community members walked from the Royal Mausoleum to the Queen Lilioukalani Statue behind Iolani Palace Sunday morning.

Thousands usually participate in the annual event, but it was scaled back this year.

The intimate group placed lei and ho’okupu at the statue, and brought attention to sovereignty issues.

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