“The economy we have is one where the wealthy have an outsized influence on government and the economic policies it creates,” said Gavin Thornton, of Hawaiʻi Appleseed.

“We are here today to bring strength, justice and wellbeing to Hawaiʻi’s people and economy.”

Added Krizhna Bayudan, a Lahaina resident and Hawaiʻi Workers Center advocate, “We can’t grow in this place, raise up our own kids in this place anymore because of profits over people.”

She added, “I think if we lose the momentum that we have right now because it has been such a prevalent issue in our lives for several months I think it will be lost forever.”