Honolulu (Khon2) – Hawaii is one of the only US states without ads. It is not by accident. It is the result of more than a century of constant, determined work.
Since 1912 The outdoor circle helped to pass laws, plant trees and lead the local efforts to preserve the beauty of these islands. Today, that mission is as urgent as ever.
Khon2.com could sit down with Winston Welch, Outdoor Circle Executive Director. Since 1912 This organization has remained faithful to its mission.
“Our mission is to keep Hawaii clean, green and beautiful,” Welch explained. “For most of the big trees you see in Honolulu, they were in favor of, perhaps, planted by a field.”
Leaving Beauty and Protection
The outdoor circle began with a group of women Honolulu, who saw public parks and trees lined with boulevards in other cities. They returned home to inspire.
They were not fascinated by the ads of large cigarettes, whiskey and diapers that covered the buildings and blocked images of their city.
“These ladies came together and said, ‘We will start boycotting stores that carry products that were advertised on the bulletin boards,” Welch said.
The campaign was in operation. Joined the media, complied with laws; And the last Billboard company was finally bought and closed.
“It’s a testimony of time, talent and endurance,” Welch said. “If you see that Hawaii are different and you think about it, we don’t have ads here. We don’t have ads. We have a nice environment. I think, for the most part, you have an outdoor circle to thank for the work and defense that has been done in a century.”
Top 5 things you need to know about Hawaii Billboard insurance
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Hawaii prohibits all advertising out of place: This means that there are no bulletin boards, no products or service ads on public property and there are no corporate logos in places such as stadiums or public buildings.
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It was over 100 years old: The outdoor wheel helped to pass the first laws in the early 1900s. These laws were re -examined and held in court.
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Most residents support this: “There is a huge support to maintain these protective measures,” Welch said. “We appreciate our attitude. We appreciate our heritage. We do not need or do not want corporate logos or advertising to take over what we value here.”
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The name rights are a new threat: Based on the latest proposals, such as the draft Law of the Senate 583, the state was able to sell the title rights to public institutions. “It can be Marlboro Lights Stadium or Pepto-Bismol Stadium,” said Welch. “Is that something we need?”
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It’s more than names: “It belongs to the Hawaiian people,” Welch said. “When we allow it, it humiliates and cheer on what Hawaii is.”
Who risks SB583
The Senate Bill583 is a draft law that would allow companies to name the rights of public buildings and assets. Welch said it was just another form of external advertising and the one that threatens to eliminate work generations.
“This bill is not provided by any rules, no time limit, no maintenance and no public report on the process,” Welch said. “When the right to name the rights, they can never be lifted.”
In his testimony of the draft law, Welch wrote that “unlike the traditional philanthropy, when victims support public possibilities without changing their identity, this bill transmits” naming the rights “in exchange for corporate printing, also known as foreign advertising, potentially forever, public property.”
When “sold” would be difficult or impossible to “buy” the name rights.
Welch asked lawmakers to think carefully about what future they want to leave.
“If the name rights are sold, they can never be abolished, forcing future generations to live according to the decisions made today for branding,” he said.
Hawaiian names make sense
The names of Hawaii place names are not just words. They are linked to the earth, culture and the stories of this place. Welch said changing these names with corporate brands would be a big loss.
“Hawaiian place names make sense. They tell stories about lands, Aliʻi, Moʻolella and Hawaii,” Welch said. “What happens when corporations dictate the names of our most expensive public places?”
Why is it important to us all
This is not only about signs or logos. It’s about identity. Welch said the exclusive protection of the Hawaiian visual character is about how to respect culture, ” and people.
“Not everything should be sold,” Welch said in his testimony. “Let us attack us everywhere.”
Welch said the outdoor wheel is not against the partnership between the public and private sector. However, it draws a clear line when selling public places.
“If company sponsors really care about Hawaii, they can support public assets without the need for ownership of their identity,” he explained in his testimony.
From advertisements to bicycle paths
The work of the outdoor wheel goes beyond signs and advertising. On all islands, its branches take care of parks, gardens, bicycle paths and trees.
“As mentioned earlier, I think it’s right to say that most of the big trees you saw in Honolulu were in favor of, perhaps planted in a field,” Welch said.
Waimea is a nature park. Kailua women in the Hawaiian Correctional Institution grow a hydroponic salad to sell Foodland. Volunteers on the north coast help keep bicycle paths. Each branch is different. Each of them has its own attention.
“This organization is related to the community,” Welch said. “It is about where you live in your area.”
The tree and its branches
The outdoor wheel sees itself as one tree with many branches. Welch said each branch makes its own decisions based on what its community needs.
“It’s one organization with very different manifestations of what it does,” Welch said. “And that is, instead of every branch, they decide with their board and how they want to focus on the beauty they want to create.”
Welch invites everyone to get involved.
“We encourage anyone who wants to start their branch, contact us at outdoorcircle.org,” he said. “Say hey, I want to start something in my community.”
Choosing ahead
SB583 is still debated. Welch and The Outdoor Circle are asking lawmakers to reject it directly.
“There is no change that could” remedy “this bill,” he said in his testimony. “It must be rejected straight.”
Welch is not interested in semi -means or compromises when it comes to protecting the beauty of Hawaii.
You can click here read the bill. You can click here To find out more about the outdoor circle. Welch said the organization wants to continue to expand. They work in many different Hawaiian areas, ranging from community gardens to educational programs and political remedies to protect Hawaii.
So, if you want to create a related organization, you can click on this link and start a wonderful journey that is established in modern Hawaiian history.
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“This is not just a political debate. It is about who we are state and people,” he said. “Hawaii are not sold.”
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