More to the Story: Hilo Warship blockade 1984
A Big Mahalo!
Restoring the Nuclear-
Free Law
A big mahalo to the many hands that went into this effort – all who testified in support, called their council people and the Mayor, and have stood for Aloha, not War over many years.
Peace is a victory for all and a positive step toward a Nuclear-Free and Peaceful world.
Repealing the Military Exemption! More to the Story!
1984 marked 3 years of politely requesting the military (without success) not to bring nuclear-powered or armed warships to the Big Island in violation of our County’s Nuclear-Free Law. Malu ‘Aina announced in June 1984, that there would be a peaceful swimming protest in July of 1984 of the next nuclear warship visit. That’s when the Hawaii County Council under the leadership of Steven Yamashiro initiated (legally questionable) emergency legislation to “EXEMPT THE MILITARY” from Hawaii County’s Nuclear-Free Law. The “Military Exemption” was signed into law the day before the nuclear-armed warship, the USS Ouellete arrived in Hilo Bay on July 18, 1984. In addition, the Navy asked the US Coast Guard to declare all of Hilo Bay a Federal Security Zone on the day the Navy warship arrived. Anyone even putting their toe in the water that day in protest of the visiting nuclear warship would be subject to felony charges.
On the day the ship arrived, military helicopters patrolled Hilo Bay overhead, Two Coast Guard ships escorted the Navy Nuclear Warship, the USS Ouellete. Navy Seal teams were in several zodiacs in Hilo Bay. Hundreds peacefully protested on the Hilo docks, holding signs, singing peace songs. Dozens, perhaps up to 100, wanted to enter the water in protest. I had to discourage people from doing the right thing for the wrong reason. To face a felony charge, people must think the situation through and discuss the implications with family. A felony would follow you around the rest of your life. Long story short, three of us close friends and long-time peace activist entered the water and swam toward the arriving ship still far out in the bay. Warren Wineman, a retired Naval officer and Hilo businessman, fellow farmer Jim Snyder, and myself. Naval Seal teams fished us out of the water and the ship eventually docked to awaiting protest. The three of us were tried and found guilty in Federal court before a visiting Federal Judge, Spencer Williams, who had been a Lieutenant Commander in the Navy. As the leader, I was sentenced immediately following trial to the maximum penalty – 3 years in federal prison. Warren Wineman was fined, and Jim Snyder I believe was sentenced to 30 days in jail.
I spent more than a year in various federal prisons for the Hilo Bay swim and fortunately was kicked out of prison because of international protest. Still, more than a year in prison for a peaceful swim is a long time.
On Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, as we were packing up signs from our weekly Hilo Friday Peace vigil, a man approached and asked if I was Jim Albertini. I said yes. He said he was a crew member of the Navy ship USS Ouellete and he wanted to apologize to me for my being sent to prison for the swim for peace of the warship he once crewed. I thanked him for his kindness and solidarity for peace.
Jim Albertini, Dec. 2, 2024
