Big Island Drag Show Draws Large Crowd Amid Controversy
HONOKAA, Hawaii (KITV) – Inside, a welcoming oli was chanted to a packed house of hundreds.Many came to support Honokaa local Elise Itried’s homecoming performance.
The returning drag performer now lives on the mainland.“It means a lot to be able to bring queer art and queer representation to such a small town, because growing up, I didn’t have a lot or many people to look up to,” Elise told KITV4.Outside, protesters said they came from across the Big Island, some upset that a prior Pride event in Kona had a bouncy house for kids next to the performance stage.
They also took issue with the Honokaa People’s Theater flier offering a discounted ticket for “18 and under.”“Just leave the kids out.
That’s all we want. Let the kids be kids,” Jonette Kiesow said. “It’s adult entertainment.”One couple told KITV they came to support the show as it was a benefit for the Honokaa Business Association.
