KAILUA-KONA — Conservative activist and Baltimore Clean-up organizer Scott Presler is coming to Hawaii Island to speak in support of President Donald Trump and what can be done in local communities by ordinary residents.
He has been featured on Fox News and other media outlets telling a story about how he and other residents decided to do more than just complain about the garbage buildup in Baltimore’s homeless areas, but to actually pitch in and clean it up.
The relatively unknown activist burst onto the national scene after that cleanup, inspired by Trump’s tweet that parts of the city were a “disgusting, rat and rodent infested mess.”
That tweet prompted harsh criticism for the president. Presler, however, enlisted volunteers from throughout the country and cleaned up 29 tons of trash from the streets. He then hit Los Angeles, where 50 tons of waste were hauled away from homeless encampments.
And now he’s on his way to the Big Island to spread his message. He also is working to get more people registered to vote.
Sponsored by the Hawaii Republican Committee, Presler will give talks Thursday in Hilo and Saturday in Waimea and Kona. The events kick off the Trump 2020 “Help Restore Paradise” campaign.
“He believes in President Trump and wants to share his message,” said Jeffrey Coakley of the Big Island Republicans.
Coakley said Presler’s message stresses community involvement.
“He’ll be talking about what he’s done and encourage us to get involved in our community,” he said.
In the 2018 General Election, 51.5% of the 115,406 registered voters voted on Hawaii Island.
The Hilo event is planned for 6-8:30 p.m. Thursday at Nani Mau Gardens. Suggested donation for that event is $25.
The Waimea event is slated for 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Mana Christian Ohana. The Kona event is set for 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Kona Educational Center at Seymour Botanical Gardens. Both are on Saturday and both venues will feature a spaghetti/beef stew meal.
Tickets are $10 for the meal; however, Coakley said the events in West Hawaii are free to anyone who wants to listen to Presler’s message and learn how to register new voters.
Tickets for the events are available at eventbrite.com.
For more information, visit Big Island Republicans Facebook page or contact Coakley at 443 8687.
Email Laura Ruminski at lruminski@westhawaiitoday.com.