On United Nations’ “Peace Day,” Hawaiʻi County Council committee calls for Gaza ceasefire

On March 5, 2024, after 150 days of extreme violence in Gaza, the Hawaiʻi County Council Government Operations and External Affairs Committee unanimously passed a resolution calling on the Hawaiʻi State Legislature to adopt Hawaiʻi State Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 13 (SCR13)—the Hawaiʻi Ceasefire Resolution. 

The county resolution (No. 449-24), titled, “Demonstrating the Aloha Spirit and Fostering Peace, Diplomacy, and Unity within the County of Hawaiʻi, the State of Hawaiʻi, and Beyond,” coincides with the United Nations’ International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness.  

During the committee meeting, Councilmember Jennifer Kagiwada (District 2) introduced an amendment to the resolution that added in language specifically referencing the need for an immediate end to the violence in Gaza in accordance with Hawaiʻi’s values, and the United Nations annual call for a more just and peaceful world. 

The vote to pass the amended resolution was 8 in favor with one excused. The resolution will go before the full council for a vote on March 20.

“A heartfelt mahalo to Councilmember Kagiwada for taking the step to add in the ceasefire amendment, to Councilmember Kānealiʻi- Kleinfelder for his words of support, and to the council members that voted to approve this amendment to speak out against the genocide,” said Kencho Gurung, Hawaiʻi County-based community organizer. “Your constituents applaud you and we continue to push for the Hawaiʻi State Legislature to pass a ceasefire resolution.”

The amended resolution states that the Hawaiʻi County Council “supports and hereby urges the adoption of Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 13 by the Hawai‘i State Legislature.”

The Hawaiʻi Ceasefire Resolution (SCR13, as well as SR6), introduced by Senator Maile Shimabukuro, is based on the resolution adopted by the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi on December 2, 2023. This resolution calls on the Hawaiʻi Congressional Delegation to:

• Support adoption of the federal Ceasefire Now Resolution (H.Res. 786) introduced by Rep. Cori Bush; and 

• Pressure the Biden Administration to force Israel to end its brutal assault on Gaza and to begin good-faith negotiations for a lasting peace. 

“By adopting Resolution No. 449-24, the Hawaiʻi County Council has added its important voice to the growing chorus calling on our government—at all levels—to use all available resources and means to bring Israel’s illegal assault on Gaza to an end,” said Fatima Abed, founder of Rise for Palestine. “Now the Hawaiʻi State Legislature must add its own voice, and move the message up to the federal level, where we expect our Congressional delegation and President Biden to take immediate action for a permanent ceasefire and a lasting peace. And peace requires justice.”

A separate resolution calling for a permanent ceasefire is expected to be introduced in the Hawaiʻi State House this week.

More than 30,000 innocent Palestinians have been murdered in Gaza over the past 5 months in a brutal campaign by an occupying military force against an occupied people. While still investigating, the International Court of Justice has ruled the actions by Isreali military and government personnel likely constitute genocide and war crimes, and ordered Israel to take actions to prevent further harm to Palestinian civilians. Israel has instead continued its targeting of civilians, including on March 1 when at least 112 Palestinians were gunned down by Israeli soldiers while attempting to access food aid in what has become known as the “Flour Massacre.”

Every year, more than $13 million in Hawaiʻi taxpayer money is sent to Israel, money that is used to fund apartheid and genocide instead of funding the needs of Hawaiʻi’s people. Elected officials have a constitutional obligation and duty under the Geneva Conventions to prevent the genocide against Palestinians that has been unfolding before the eyes of the world for more than 150 days. 

The atrocities committed against civilians in Gaza have since resulted in the deaths of more than 30,000 people, with another 70,000 wounded, with thousands more still missing under the rubble. The majority are women and children.