HONOLULU — State senators are killing a measure that would have guaranteed the right to use flag staffs or poles to fly the American flag in planned communities, despite pleas from veterans who gave up their military insignia in protest.

The Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee instead passed a resolution Wednesday expressing support for the right to display the flag, but they didn’t consider a bill that would have prevented neighborhood associations from limiting how it’s flown.
Committee Chairwoman Sen. Roz Baker, a Democrat representing Honokohau and Makena, says federal law already ensures flag-flying rights, so passing a state law would be repetitive.
But veterans say a state law is needed because communities are still restricting flag displays.