Its messages are often humorous, witty and sometimes philosophical. But for now the sign above the Hawaiian Rent-All store in Moiliili has nothing to say.

On Friday, the face of the sign that has been a fixture at the corner of of McCully and South Beretania streets for nearly 50 years, was violently ripped away.

Was it something the sign said? Did it cause offense?

No, it was just high winds.

The company plans to replace the lost message board with a new one, though how long that will take hasn’t been determined. So for awhile, the old-fashioned marquee with its removable letters will remain blank.