HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0212.401 1996-1998
MAY-20-97 TUE 09:05 AM COPY POST PLUS I 808 322 1844 P. O1
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To the Council Chair COUN~' ~NAW~11
"For Irradiation Hearing" COUNTY
County of Hawaii
Hawaii County Building
25 Ahupuni St
Hilo, HI 96720
Fax# 969-3291
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MAY'-20-97 TUE 09:06 FaM COPY POST PLUS I 808 322 1844 P. 02
May 16, 1997
1<ukui Hughes
PO BOX 634
Honaunau, HI 96726
To The Members Of The County Council,
This letter is in regards to the recent threats and acts of terrorism reported by Mr.
Yamashiro and some board members. I am aware that these acts and threats should never'
be accepted as a means to being heard. However, some deeper questions need to be asked
of each board member and any persons who are involved with the hearings and the guide
lines on the proceedings.
Why are the people who oppose the irradiation plant being so emotional,
volatile and out spoken? It takes repeated situations of not being listened to that drives
individuals and sometimes groups of people into acting out. The question is, what caused
these people to respond the way they did? The board needs to gain an awareness of~the
psychological effects it has created through it's misrepresentations. Some of these
misrepresentations are equality of time to be heard, rights to free speech, the number of
member votes opposing the plant not correlating to the number of publie'opposing, and the
largest maneuver of allowing supporting parties to sign up the day before and dominate the
floor for hours without limits. No group of people gathering to be heard could have with
stood that kind of blatant, covert and manipulative proceedings.
What does the board need to realize? That by it's own actions, has created this
volatile situation. Terrorism does not occur without a reason. That reason is a deep
marginalization of a people. As a board you have judged and sentence the opposition by
discrediting each person that speaks and the group as a whole. Some of the ways you
discredit people are as follows: their lack of ability to delay gratification (waiting to be
heard), clothing appearances, lack oY public speaking skills, gender, social order, culture,
language differences, education, lack of speaking in a linear, factual manner, profession
and/or life choices and for not being able to control their emotions.
Being able to control emotions, to have experience with getting a turn to speak,
having an education, being socially polished, being born a white male, or born into an
affluent family, having a job or car, even liking politics or debating is a privilege that a
majority of people don't have or only have at different times in [heir life. These people are
your community. They are what you've chosen to represent. And they have chosen you
to represent them. Sit among your community. Hear their concerns and hear their pains.
That is what is needed here. Its not just another day on the job for the people who oppose
the plant and it shouldn't be for you.
MRV-29-97 TUE 09:07 AM COPY POST PLUS I 808 322 1844 P. 03
Why have your lives been threateued? Your lives have been threatened because
to the opposition, you are threatening the lives of the people that you are supposed to be
representing. You are not gathering a consensus of the opinions of your wmmunity, nor
are you allowing enough time to gather the negative effects that the supporters are
concealing. 1 plead with you. If any part of the vote you cast is out of revenge for threats
or in any way is out of spite, reconsider your vote. It's not o.k. that you have been
violated. And it would be even worse for you to recreate a violent act in return. Truly, you
will have become terrorist with a vote as your weapon. And I can almost assure you that
the threats will not end after the final vote has been cast. There will be demonstrations,
picket lines, and acts of violence before, during and after the construction of the plant.
Someone will get hurt. This island is not going to standby and allow this to happen. The
only people who can stop the madness is you. The only people who can stop what is no~v
a run away train is you. If you have a desire to hurry up and put this behind you, then
question your motives. if your being paid off, no amount of money will make up for the
life of another. And if you've been promised a glowing political career, this maybe the
worst political choice you could make. And if you're just following the group, being
bullied or told what to think, speak up now or jump off the train. And if you vote no, hold
your ground knowing this may be all you can do. Take pride in the privilege of being so
connected to the sins and all your relations before and after you. This issue wilt effect
generations. Furthermore, has there been any long term studies or long range statistics on
the health risks to children?
What's changed since the government studies in the 1950's' They found
irradiated food to be unacceptable for soldiers, sighting cases of cancer. What's changed?
The chemicals haven't. The procedures haven't. Could it be the mentality and greed of
private parties who are willing to carelessly forge ahead? And what will your
grandchildren's grandchildren think of your decision? That is, if there is any reason to live
on this island by then.
Tru~ap~
Kukui Hughes