HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0516.085 2024-2026JUDGE DAVID A. WISEMAN
(RETIRED
77-6219A KAUMALUMALUDR.)
HOLUALOA, HI96725
TEL. NO 808-333-1712
E-MAIL: kalaaana6ftmailxom
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October 21, 2025
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HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL
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RE: AGENDA ITEM: Res. 320-25:
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EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR DUE PROCESS AND THE PROTECTION
OF CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS FOR ALL RESIDENTS OF THE COUNTY
OF HAWAI'IAND AFFIRMS THE COUNTY'SCOMMITMENT TO
MULTICULTURALISM AND ITS IMMIGRANT HERITAGE
HONORABLE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE HAWAII COUNTY
COUNCIL
it is my pleasure to be here today and address this honorable body as i have
done on at least three prior occasions when my appointments to the Board of
Ethics, The Board of Appeals and the Merit Appeals Board, respectively, were
being considered.
Today I am here in my personal capacity and supporting the councils' approval
of the captioned Resolution 320-25.
At the outset, my compliments on the wording of the resolution which captures
and expresses the very essence of the Aloha Spirit.
Comm. & - D�
1 Ref. To:
Ref. Date 2 2 2025
The due process commitment expressed in the first resolve is a matter of a high
order for a persons' constitutional rights.
With respect to due process, based on my more than half a century in the legal and
constitutional law arena, I submit that the core of any civilized society is the Rule Of
Law, and a most fundamental and indispensable item thereof and as stated in Article
14, section 1 of the Constitution is that Due Process be accorded to all persons within
the jurisdiction of the United States.
An indispensable element of procedural due process is an official notice and
opportunity to be heard. Unfortunately, the enforcement arm of Homeland Security;
Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE), due to the impunity afforded them by the
current administration, is operating with a lack of respect for the rule of law, and
consequently, depriving many people of Hawaii of its rights.
At this time, I would like to quote a few excerpted statements of concerns that were
in a letter, dated July 1, 2025, that Senators Schatz, Hirono and Congresswoman
Tokuda sent to the Secretary of Homeland Security with respect to the immigration
enforcement in Hawaii and its effects on their constituents.
"Rather than making us safer or more secure, your needlessly aggressive
immigration enforcement has created chaos and confusion in our
communities while raising due process concerns"
"Our offices have heard from hundreds of constituents. They are concerned
about your efforts to sweep up children, workers and, longtime members of our
community with little regard for their criminal history or lack thereof'
Said letter goes on to itemize multiple incidents that demonstrate the concerns raised
and list some egregious examples thereof and states that:
Testimonies of the North Hawaii Action Network and of the Kona chapter of the
Indivisible (KIND) state network along with other organizations that are testifying in
support of said resolution have my full support.
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Although, as we all know, a resolution does not have -the force and effect of law, but it
does speak loudly and addresses the unique and aloha character of our island and I am
therefore, respectfully, requesting the council to favorably consider the above written
testimony in adopting and or passing said resolution.
I submit that doing so would be in the best interests of our island and consistent with
its spirit and harmony.
I truly thank the Council for this opportunity
Judge David Wiseman
Retired
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