Hateful, threatening message posted on social media about Big Island state lawmaker

“She should be tried for Treason, convicted, then hung by the neck until she is dead then sent to hell where she spawned from. Anyone who votes for her or supports her should get the same treatment. Flat Out.”

That’s the hateful message — what many are calling threatening — hurtled on social media at Puna state Sen. Joy San Buenaventura and voters, posted in reference to the Big Island lawmaker’s invitation for community members to join her during a party she is hosting from 6 to 9 p.m. June 20 at the Fraternal Order of the Eagles Aerie in Kea‘au.

It’s not a fundraiser or an election-related event. It’s simply a party.

“In [these] trying times, I just want people to have fun for a few hours,” replied San Buenaventura to a commenter on a Facebook post the afternoon of June 19, sharing the harsh and threatening message.

She also did not share or reveal on social media the name of the person who posted the nasty message, despite the writer’s name being attached to their post. She didn’t want to give them the publicity.

San Buenaventura, a Kea‘au Democrat, is seeking a second 6-year term representing Hawai‘i Senate District 2. She faces two challengers in this year’s Aug. 8 primary election.

The Puna lawmaker was first elected to state office in 2014 as Hawai‘i House District 4 representative and was then elected in 2020 for her first state Senate term.

She is chairperson of Hawai‘i Senate Committee on Health and Human Services and member of the state Senate committees on Government Operations and Judiciary.

Saturday’s party in Kea‘au will feature a no-host bar with food available. San Buenaventura will also be available to talk story about initiatives she is championing at the state Capitol in Honolulu, including her Highway 11 contraflow plan, continued expansion of health care in Puna and law enforcement.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Gone Country will provide entertainment for the evening.

“I am dismayed that a party I invited Puna voters to is being threatened by violence via a Facebook post. It is disheartening that someone even shared this hateful rant,” San Buenaventura wrote in her Facebook post, emphasizing it is just a party — any and all funds collected from the event will go to the food vendor or Eagles. “But I want to alert those planning to attend what the situation is.”

The senator added that the authorities — including Hawai‘i Police Department, Hawai‘i attorney general’s office and Federal Bureau of Investigation — were notified about the threatening message.

Puna-based Native Hawaiian mutual-aid and restorative justice nonprofit Men of Pa‘a also will provide security during the event.

The response to San Buenaventura’s post was unanimous, with those replying offering support for the lawmaker and the work she continues to do for Puna. Many said threats like this should never happen.

Others were shocked by the vitriol being spewed by the unnamed threat-maker.

“We don’t act like this in Hawai‘i. No hate in 808,” replied Susan Sill of Kea‘au.

Maui state Rep. Terez Amato was glad San Buenaventura turned over the message and other information connected with it to the authorities, saying that type of behavior must not be tolerated — threats of political violence are not OK.

“Sadly, this is not surprising given where the radical federal administration has taken us so far from basic decency and respect,” wrote Amato of Kīhei, who represents state House District 11. “Sending you my love and aloha.”

Jim Tatar of Hilo said to disagree with someone’s opinions or positions is one thing. Posting such hateful statements, however, is “beyond politics” and accomplishes nothing good.

“This is just sick!” wrote Mona K. Wood of Honolulu. “I mean, you can disagree and make your point loudly and in public, but this is something else. Stay safe.”

Others offered similar sentiments, urging San Buenaventura to be safe and stand strong while hoping the party event is nothing but peaceful and pleasant.

Abby Simmons replied she is pretty sure the hateful message is likely a felony, adding “this person needs to be apprehended before they cause physical harm.”

Frances Pueo agreed that the threatening post is “against the law for sure,” suggesting San Buenaventura always have someone with her, keep her guard up and tighten up her security system. Reporting it to the authorities also means the poster’s threats of “harm, hurt, and kill” will be addressed legally.

“Please stay safe and don’t let it discourage you,” replied Charmaine Doran.

Mathew Mercury Jones suggested perhaps police need to do a welfare check on the person who posted the message. He wonders if they have children or do illegal drugs, adding “they sound super unstable.”

“We don’t need that in our community,” Jones replied.

Arlene Buklarewicz wrote it breaks her heart that “this kind of ugliness can be directed at such an exceptional servant of the people.” Nancy Neubauer agreed the Puna lawmaker definitely does “not deserve this nonsense.”

Douglas Halsted of Hilo said he would attend San Buenaventura’s event to show his support in-person. He suggested others do the same.

The Puna lawmaker thanked him, taking an opportunity to also urge everyone else to remain safe.

San Buenaventura reminded people — if they are residents of her district but choose not to attend the event because of the threat or any other reason — that they can show their support on their ballots by voting during the upcoming primary election.

But she’s not letting the vitriol change her plans.

“Too many were looking forward to it to cancel,” San Buenaventura replied to Halsted.

Pua Brown encouraged the state lawmaker, calling her a mana wahine (powerful woman) and saying she will rise above the haters.

“Their ‘justice’ will come in the pono [correct, proper, fitting] time,” wrote Brown. “Stand pa‘a [firm, solid, steadfast]; we’re behind you. … This, too, shall pass.”

Note (some of the following material might not be suitable for those of young ages): Big Island Now found the original post, which was made the morning of June 16, and another later sharing it the afternoon of June 17, both on Facebook; however, is not naming the poster(s), because it was reported to various law enforcement agencies by Big Island state Sen. Joy San Buenaventura and to honor her decision to not name the person(s) so not to give them any publicity. The short message included in the Puna lawmaker’s post about the threat — quoted at the beginning of this story — is a smaller portion of a longer message, in which the poster accuses her of illegally defrauding the U.S. government, spending the past 15 years creating laws that destroy families and allowing the state to abuse, torture and murder innocent Native Hawaiian women, children and the mentally ill. They also call her a “child abu*ing, domestic Ter*orist, money whore and traitor to Hawaii and the U.S.A.”