Honolulu’s Pride grows further with the Rainbow Shower Tree

HONOLULU (KITV Island News) - October 2, 2024 - With Honolulu Pride Month taking place in October, the city unveiled the Official Pride Tree of Honolulu at a Pride flag raising ceremony.

Mayor Rick Blangiardi proclaimed the Rainbow Shower Tree (Cassia x nealiae ‘Wilhelmina Tenney’) on Oct. 1, 2024. This makes Honolulu the first city in the world to have this kind of symbol.

The unveiling happened after Blangiardi raised the Pride flag above the Frank F. Fasi Civic Center Grounds.

The tree bears the names of two women, Wilhelmina Tenney and Marie Neal, who spent much of their lives in committed relationships with other women. Despite having lived in times over a century ago, they strived to live their lives as authentically as they could.

To signify the state’s new symbol for the LGBTQ+ community, several speakers welcomed this tree as it deepens its roots. One way the Rainbow Shower Tree can do this is by taking up space, which Randy Soriano, Hawaii LGBT Legacy Foundation’s Executive Director, explained, “Now, more than ever, we need to create safe spaces for our community. The most important thing for us to do is take up space whether that be supporting our local bars, supporting local nonprofits or even registering to vote, especially this year.”

The Rainbow Shower Tree, also known as cassia javanica, can be spotted all around the islands. Because of the tree’s prevalence, a purpose it has is for the community to associate it with the queer community. This will further show that its members are also everywhere.

“As we began to look around us, we realized, 'Wow, there's rainbow shower trees everywhere.' If you start noticing them, you'll see them on every roadway and every park all over these grounds,” said Dean Hamer, Lei Pua ʻAla Queer Histories of Hawaii’s Co-Director.

This tree’s flowers also represent the community through its vibrant colors. With it planted around many corners, it can be seen in full bloom during the summer and early fall months.

“The symbolism of a tree, to me, shows visibility of our community through its roots. In Hawaii, the mahu culture has been part of our upbringing and been fought against through so many decades that the tree tree roots growing through and the formation of it symbolizes that perfectly,” shared Jennifer Li, Hawaii LGBT Legacy Foundation’s Women’s Initiative Chair.

The ceremony concluded with a blessing made over the tree and flagpole. A single lei rested on the plaque to honor it which guests were then welcomed to also give the new symbol a lei of their own.