emailed to the Hawaii County Council March 3, 2024, 7:45 PM

Testimony in support of Council Resolution #449-24 to be heard on Tuesday, March 5, 2024

at 9:30 AM in The Hilo Hawaii County Council chambers.

On behalf of our organization, Malu ‘Aina, I testify in support of Hawaii County Resolution 449-24 for Aloha and Peace.  But given the global situation of US/Israeli GENOCIDE in Gaza, the resolution is not enough.  It needs to be strengthened to call for an end to the Genocide, an immediate and permanent CEASEFIRE in Gaza, an end to all US military aide to Israel, and termination of the strategic partnership between Hawaii and Israel signed in Oct. 2022.

Let’s be clear.  This County resolution is tied to a UN Resolution around disarmament and non-proliferation.  Yet the US in recent months has vetoed a UN security council resolution three times calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

When the Titanic was sinking, it wasn’t enough to call for rearranging the deck chairs.  More was need to save lives.  The same is true today in Gaza and our entire planet. In less than six months, more than 100,000 people in Gaza have been killed or injured by US weapons provided to Israel, the majority of victims being women and children.  Most houses, businesses, schools, even hospitals and refugee centers have been damaged or destroyed.  Disease is now rampant.  Many people are starving.  This Genocide must be stopped now by an immediate and permanent Ceasefire, and a massive influx of humanitarian aid.

In addition, I urge the following actions:

1.  Support the Hawaii Interfaith call for an immediate Permanent Ceasefire in Gaza signed by dozens of Hawaii religious leaders of many faiths that acknowledges we live in the Hawaiian Kingdom which has been illegally occupied by the US since 1893. Now, over 100 years later, it urges people to join the call for the de-occupation of Hawaii, Palestine, and all occupied nations across the globe.

2.  Remove the military exemption made in 1984″ from Hawaii County’s historic Nuclear-Free Law passed in 1981, the first county in the US to pass such a law, now followed by many other counties and municipalities.   Having an exemption for the military to a Nuclear-Free law is like having an exemption for smokers to a No Smoking Law.  It makes no sense.

3.  File Hawaii County legal action against the military decision in 2008 to leave in place (dispose) Depleted Uranium radiation at Pohakuloa.  That appears to be a clear violation of the Hawaii State Constitution that says: “Section 8. No nuclear fission power plant shall be constructed or radioactive material disposed of in the State without the prior approval by a two-thirds vote in each house of the legislature.” [Add Const Con 1978 and election Nov 7, 1978]

4.  Provide follow up action to Hawaii County Resolution 639-08 passed July 2, 2008, by a vote of 8-1 that called for 8 actions, including stopping all live fire at Pohakuloa until there is a comprehensive, independent assessment and clean up of Depleted Uranium at Pohakuloa.  None of the 8 actions called for in Resolution 639-08 have been carried out by the military.  Are we in Hawaii County living in a democracy or under military rule?

5.  The State lease of 23,000 acres of Hawaiian conservation zone lands for a total of $1 for 65 years is being renegotiated.  Hawaii County should take a stand to cancel that lease, call for a complete clean up of the entire 133,000 acres at Pohakuloa, most of which was seized by a presidential executive order at zero cost in 1964, and return that land to the Hawaiian people for reforestation, etc. before PTA bombing and shelling creates a Lahaina firestorm on Hawaii Island. 

Let’s see some substance, not just lip service, to DEMONSTRATING THE ALOHA SPIRIT AND FOSTERING PEACE, DIPLOMACY, AND UNITY WITHIN THE COUNTY OF HAWAI`I, THE STATE OF HAWAI`I, AND BEYOND.  Otherwise, we simply make a mockery of peace and aloha.  Imagine if The Nazi Auschwitz extermination camp passed a resolution for Shalom (Peace) in the midst of Genocide.  Remember in the center of our island is a 133,000 acre military toxic waste dump, burn pit, and training ground for war, including nuclear war.  Strategic US nuclear bombers do practice bombing missions flying non-stop from Louisiana, Missouri and Guam to practice bombing Pohakuloa.  Nuclear weapon spotting rounds, and perhaps even actual nuclear weapons, have been fired at Pohakuloa.  Perhaps it is time for the Federal Pact Act, passed to cover military veterans exposed to toxic substances, to be expanded to cover civilians living around toxic military sites like Pohakuloa, where toxins are blowing in the wind around the island.  US occupied Hawaii has more than 100 US military installations including the headquarters of the US Indo-Pacific command that is the military nuclear Headquarters for more than half the earth.  That’s a classic example of the aloha spirit and peace under US occupation.

As South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu said, “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.” Together, let’s not choose to side with the oppressor. Let’s take a meaningful stand for aloha and peace.  Amend this resolution to be clear. Mahalo.

Jim Albertini

President

— 
Jim Albertini Malu ‘Aina Center For Non-violent Education & Action P.O. Box 489 Ola’a (Kurtistown) Hawai’i 96760
Phone 808-966-7622 Email ja@malu-aina.org Visit us on the web at www.malu-aina.org

Hawaii County Council Resolution on Peace

Tuesday, March 5th, 9:30 AM Hawaii County Council Resolution on Peace hearing in Hilo

Council Reso. #449-24  ( See Reso below)

Oral Testimony is limited to 3 min. I urge support for the reso but also urge adding “a call for an immediate and permanent Ceasefire in Gaza,  and no more military aid to Israel.  STOP THE GENOCIDE.”  Given what is happening in Gaza, the resolution is just very bland.  There is no mention of Gaza.  Please spread the word and encourage people to testify in person at the Hilo Hawaii County Council Chambers, 25 Aupuni St.   Call the County office on Monday, March 4th at 808-961-8255 for ways to testify via Zoom.  You can also email testimony to counciltestimony@hawaiicounty.gov. Try to email it by Monday noon. 

You might also want to add to your testimony some or all of the following points or additional points:

1. Please view and take to heart the important resolution passed by Hawaii Interfaith leaders, including many Big Island faith leaders, calling for an”immediate and permanent Ceasefire in Gaza.”  See a list of signers here  https://malu-aina.org/?p=9817  Even more names have been added since this posting.  For a current list contact Cassandra Chee, cassandralchee@gmail.com
2.  Urging removal of the ‘military exemption in 1984″ from Hawaii County’s historic Nuclear-Free Law passed in 1981, the first municipality in the US to pass such a law, now followed by many other municipalities.   Having an exemption for the military to a Nuclear-Free law is like having an exemption for smokers to a No Smoking Law.
3. The military decision in 2008 to leave in place Depleted Uranium radiation at Pohakuloa and other sites in Hawaii is a violation of the Hawaii State Consitution that says: “Section 8. No nuclear fission power plant shall be constructed or radioactive material disposed of in the State without the prior approval by a two-thirds vote in each house of the legislature.” [Add Const Con 1978 and election Nov 7, 1978]
4. There needs to be a Council follow-up resolution to Hawaii County Resolution 639-08 passed July 2, 2008, by a vote of 8-1 that called for 8 actions, including stopping all live fire at Pohakuloa until there is a comprehensive, independent assessment and clean up of Depleted Uranium at Pohakuloa.  None of the 8 actions called for in Resolution 639-08 have been carried out by the military.  Are we living in a democracy or under military rule?

https://records.hawaiicounty.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?id=1072805&searchid=d91b978f-50fd-4a04-826e-39acd4b1cf0e&dbid=0

A RESOLUTION DEMONSTRATING THE ALOHA SPIRIT AND FOSTERING

PEACE, DIPLOMACY, AND UNITY WITHIN THE COUNTY OF HAWAI`I, THE

STATE OF HAWAI`I, AND BEYOND.

WHEREAS, March 5th is the United Nations’ International Day for Disarmament and

Non -Proliferation Awareness; and

WHEREAS, Resolution 77/ 51, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on

December 7th, 2022, emphasizes the urgent need to increase education around disarmament and

non-proliferation, recognizes the significant role of governments, intergovernmental

organizations, civil society, academia, and the media in educating the public about how

disarmament efforts can provide peace and security for all the world’ s people; and

WHEREAS, in the words of the late Aunty Pilahi Paki, a beloved Native Hawaiian poet,

philosopher, linguist, educator, songwriter, author, and spiritual guide, ” the world will turn to

Hawaii as they search for world peace because Hawaii has the key; and that key is ALOHA”;

and

WHEREAS, section 5- 7. 5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, states that the Aloha Spirit ” was

presented as a gift to the people of Hawaii”, and further characterizes Aloha as mutual regard.

and affection and the belief that each person is important to our collective existence; and

WHEREAS, the County of Hawaii (“the County”) values the principles of peace,

diplomacy, and civic discourse as fundamental pillars for fostering harmonious relationships and

believes that dialogue, understanding, and cooperation are essential tools to build bridges and

create a more inclusive and tolerant society among its residents and the global community; and

WHEREAS, recognizing the interconnectedness of our world and the importance of

collaboration in addressing shared challenges, and the inherent dignity and rights of individuals,

regardless of their race, color, religion, gender, ethnicity, age, ability, or any other characteristic,

The county is committed to actively promoting diplomacy and peaceful resolutions to conflicts

and disputes with Aloha; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAI`I that this

body affirms its commitment to seek and promote peace, diplomacy, and civil discourse at the

county level and to demonstrate globally the values of understanding, cooperation, and peaceful

coexistence with Aloha.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the County hereby recognizes and supports the

United Nations’ International Day for Disarmament and Non -Proliferation Awareness.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the County encourages local educational

institutions, community organizations, and citizens to join the County in observance of the

United Nations’ International Day for Disarmament and Non -Proliferation Awareness by

participating in activities and initiatives that raise awareness and understanding of global

disarmament issues and principles that contribute to the greater good of humanity with Aloha.