People at Ala Moana Beach Park held sputtering candles last night in a show of solidarity with protesters in Myanmar.

Some of the 150 supporters on the 'ewa end of Magic Island held signs urging "Help Free Burma," "Support Peaceful Demonstrations in Burma," "Burmese People Need Action Now." (Myanmar was formerly called Burma.) Many were clad in crimson, the same color that the Myanmar monks wear.

The anti-government uprising that began in August is similar to the one nearly 20 years ago, said Maung Kyau, who was a student there in 1988.

In recent days, more than 150,000 Buddhist monks, nuns, and lay people have turned out in marches all over Myanmar.

Kyau lives in Hawai'i after seeking political asylum for himself and his family eight years ago.

"In the story for Burmese independence, the monks have always gotten involved," he said. "It's all about justice."

The Myanmar people are calling for an apology from the military rulers for the death of a monk and the physical attacks on the monks participating in peaceful protests.

Marches and candlelight vigils like the one last night have been held around the world as Myanmar supporters stand in solidarity.

"It's really depressing in Burma now," said Sai Oo, a Hawai'i Pacific University student. "We haven't seen any improvement in the government.

Oo, who has family in Myanmar, said he's been able to talk to his family for only five or 10 minutes at a time. E-mail, which was cut off countrywide several weeks ago, has been spotty.

"It's been hard to get in touch with them," Oo said. "I am really concerned about the family and about my neighbors and the community."

Wearing peace signs painted on her cheeks, Cherry Tin also was concerned about her family. Tin, a 36-year-old Palolo resident, said her parents are on vacation in Myanmar visiting family they left behind 31 years ago. They're expected back next week, she said.

"They're all staying indoors and trying to keep a low profile," Tin said. "I want to show tonight that there is support for the people of Burma."

The candlelight vigil was held by the Hawai'i Association of International Buddhists, the Vipassana Hawai'i and the Buddhists Peace Fellowship, said Dr. Eddie Lim. Some of the people last night were afraid to speak out against the government for fear of reprisals against their relatives. Others feared they would not be allowed back in the country.

Conditions are so oppressive in their country, Lim said, that even though citizens were allowed to vote in multi-party elections in 1991 — the first in 30 years — their leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been placed under house arrest.

The Rev. Barbara Grace Ripple of the Interfaith Alliance Hawai'i attended the vigil in hopes of sending a message to Myanmar monks, who have been killed, beaten and arrested for participating in nonviolent marches. Ripple felt that she and others around the world needed to stand up and support the monks.

"We're hoping to send a message to everyone that Burma needs their help," Lim said. "We're calling for any action that will help to change the regime in a peaceful way. We don't want any bloodshed."

Reach Suzanne Roig at sroig@honoluluadvertiser.com.