Photos of Martin Luther King Jr. with Hawaiian Lei Unveiled in Honolulu
HONOLULU (AP) — A collection of photographs showing the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. adorned with traditional Hawaiian flower lei during the historic Selma-to-Montgomery march has been exhibited at the Hawaii State Capitol. These images capture the solidarity of Hawaii residents who traveled to Alabama in 1965 to support a crucial Civil Rights movement.
The Selma marches significantly contributed to the enactment of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which dismantled discriminatory practices like poll taxes that disenfranchised Black voters in the South.
In March 1965, a five-member delegation from Hawaii carried dozens of flower lei to Alabama. While some images of King with lei have been shared before, numerous photos in this exhibit are newly revealed, showcasing both subtle differences and previously overlooked participants. The exhibit will be open until July 7.
Charles Campbell, one of the lei-bearers and a high school teacher, reflected on the significance of Selma, stating in a March 1965 Honolulu Advertiser article: “Selma has the capability of becoming a real sore that could affect the entire nation.”
King donned the lei approximately two weeks following Bloody Sunday, when marchers were met with violence by state troopers on the Edmund Pettus Bridge.
Civil Rights photographer Matt Herron captured these moments, and his widow has since donated the collection to Hawaii’s state archives.
Among the attendees of the photo unveiling was Steven Springel, who recognized his mother, Nona Ferdon, in one of the pictures. Ferdon, who passed away in 2021, was a divorced mother and graduate student at the time of her involvement. Springel recalls his childhood in Hawaii as free from segregation or racial inequality.
The exhibition is part of Hawaii’s contribution to the 250th anniversary of the United States celebrations, highlighting the state’s role in pivotal historical events. Keith Regan, acting as governor during Gov. Josh Green’s absence, emphasized the significance of Hawaii’s contribution to the Civil Rights movement.
During the first day of the 50-mile march, the Hawaiian delegation wore lei made by mothers from Honolulu’s Kawaiahaʻo Church, symbolizing a gesture of unity and support from the Aloha State.
At 96, Tomi Knaefler, who reported on the event for the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, could not attend the news conference, but her daughter Pamela MacDonald did. MacDonald described the assignment as the most cherished of her mother’s career.
The exhibition also coincides with the conclusion of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2026 term, marked by a ruling that weakened the Voting Rights Act, sparking concerns over political representation.
